Mike started with Essex-Newark Legal Services in 1989 and worked as Senior Attorney in the Elder Law Unit until he joined LSNWJ in 2006 as Managing Attorney of the Sussex County office. In 2013 Mike practiced as a partner at Hollander, Strelzik, Pasculli, Pasculli, Hinkes, Wojcik, Gacquin, Vandenberg, & Hontz, LLC in Newton and served on the LSNWJ Board of Trustees as Treasurer. “As much as I enjoyed private practice, I was thrilled to be able to return to the mission of serving people in need with Legal Services of Northwest Jersey as CEO in 2019.” Mike loves the outdoors and hiking, cycling, and kayaking.

LSNJ J. Harris David Career Service to People in Poverty 2008; LSNJ Ronald B. Atlas Attorney Award 1998.

Sharon has dedicated over 10 years to advocating for individuals and families affected with disabilities and those in crisis. Having grown up in New York City's Chinatown with immigrant parents, Sharon understands the challenges impacting those experiencing poverty, and having language access and racial barriers. She is a staunch advocate for community justice and is especially concerned with the needs of people resettling in their communities after interaction with the criminal justice system. Sharon started as an attorney with NYC Children Services representing children experiencing neglect and abuse. Re-launching the Urban Justice Center’s Parents with Psychiatric Disability Legal Advocacy Program, Sharon provided legal representation to parents with disabilities in family court.

After joining LSNWJ as a staff attorney, Sharon started HEAL, LSNWJ's first medical-legal partnership. As former Director of Human Services for the County of Morris, she was able to increase access to services for those experiencing poverty and in crisis.

Sharon is currently the Director of Operations and leads the pro bono work of the organization. She is a graduate of Brooklyn Law School, speaks conversational Cantonese, and enjoys hiking with her children and dogs.

Sarah handles Landlord/Tenant and Family matters.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from the Pennsylvania State University, and graduated from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University. During her time in law school, Sarah served as the President of Hofstra Law Women, a student organization focusing on the unique challenges that female attorneys face in their education and careers. Following graduation, Sarah worked as a Staff Attorney at Nassau County Legal Aid in the Family Court Bureau, where she assisted clients with child custody, support, and neglect matters, as well as Orders of Protection. Her career as an attorney is informed by her passion for making the court system more accessible to folks from all walks of life, particularly those dealing with highly personal and sensitive issues.

When she isn’t advocating for clients, Sarah enjoys cooking comfort food, spending time outdoors, and watching true crime documentaries. She also loves playing with her two cats, Mittens and The Boy.

Dante works on the Housing Team handling landlord/tenant matters, and on the Family Team handling issues such as domestic violence,
custody, and child support.

His interest in public service began while participating in the Juvenile Justice clinical program at Seton Hall University School of Law. Before joining LSNWJ, Dante was a middle school language arts teacher, and he continues coaching high school students for debates and mock trials. He also enjoys cooking, snowboarding, and gaming.

Erin works within the Housing and Public Benefits teams.

Before becoming an attorney, Erin was a mental health therapist practicing in Mercer County in the Family Preservation Services program. Upon graduation from Seton Hall University School of Law, she clerked in Morris County Superior Court and then worked for Bouer Law, LLC, in Princeton, NJ, practicing health insurance and disability law. Wanting to return to her pre-law community involvement roots, Erin began her journey in public interest law working for South Jersey Legal Services in their Ocean County office, practicing housing and consumer law. “I am excited to bring the knowledge and experience I've gained to assist our clients in their pursuit to obtain equal justice.”

Erin enjoys hiking with her family and dogs; traveling; quilting, and baking.

Claire works on the Public Entitlements team handling WFNJ, SNAP, TANF, and GA cases, as well as SSI/SSD matters. She works with veterans under LSNWJ’s VA grant to connect homeless and at-risk veterans with local legal services.

Claire has been honored to dedicate her legal career to public interest and is excited to continue representing and empowering clients with LSNWJ. Formerly, Claire worked as a veterans’ law attorney and accredited veterans’ service officer with Vietnam Veterans of
America (VVA), where her work secured hundreds of thousands of dollars in VA disability benefits for disabled veterans and their families. At VVA, she led a team of attorneys and trained service officers and veterans on their rights to receive VA benefits. Claire also previously worked as a public defender in Maryland advocating for clients on the state’s rural Eastern Shore.She brings to LSNWJ her outreach and training experience and is passionate about connecting with and serving members of the local community.

Claire is a South Jersey native, a proud alumna of Villanova University and Michigan State University College of Law (Go Green!), and is barred in Michigan, DC, and New Jersey. When she’s not working, you can find her reading, spending time outside, crafting, kickboxing, listening to podcasts, or making small-talk with strangers.

Publications: How to Get the Most Out of Your Compensation & Pension Exam, The VVAVeteran, Vol. 43, No.1 (Jan.-Feb. 2023). Claire also authored several informational pamphlets published by her former employer VVA on the 2022 PACT Act. These pamphlets provided significant information on how the changes in law affect veterans seeking disability benefits from the VA.

Colleen serves clients as an attorney on the Family Team, Autonomy Team, and Public Benefits Team. She has over twenty years of experience as a practicing attorney and has represented individuals in criminal, civil, and family matters.

Before joining Legal Services, Colleen was in private practice and served as a municipal public defender and assistant county prosecutor. She also has extensive experience in life planning and guardianship matters. Colleen has lectured for many organizations, including the New Jersey State Bar Association. She has served on her District XA Ethics Committee, New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners Character & Fitness Committee, and currently serves on the Morris/Sussex County Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement Committee. LSNJ Rising Star Award 2022; NJ Commission on Professionalism in the Law, Charles J. Hollenbeck Award 2023.

Patrick works with the Housing and Family Teams. Before joining Legal Services of Northwest Jersey, Patrick served as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Haekyoung Suh, P.J.F.P., in Somerville, New Jersey. His legal career has been marked by a strong focus on public service and helping those facing challenging circumstances.

Patrick previously worked with Philadelphia Legal Assistance, where he assisted and represented low-income individuals
through custody disputes and domestic violence hearings. He also advocated for individuals applying for Social Security Disability (SSD/SSI) benefits through the Homeless Advocacy Project in Philadelphia. Patrick is a graduate of the Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law.

Outside of his legal work, Patrick is a classically trained pianist and active
church pianist/organist. He is passionate about music and its power to inspire and uplift. Patrick also enjoys spending time outdoors and staying active through activities such as running, bicycling, and hiking.

Alex works on the Housing Team handling Landlord/Tenant matters. Alex shares: "I came to LSNWJ after working as a Deputy State Public Defender in Colorado. Before law school, I was a volunteer coordinator for a food pantry/childcare nonprofit for four years. My heart has always been with the underdogs because I was raised working class, experienced poverty and housing insecurity, and only made it through because of community support. I was excited to join LSNWJ's Housing Team because we nearly lost our house when I was a kid, so I want to keep as many people in their housing as I possibly can."

Alex also notes he is a "huge nerd about coffee" and loves trying out new coffee beans.

Recognition: Alex appears as a guest on the WrongfulConviction podcast, Episode #338 "Jason Flom with Dewayne Dunn", for a case that he worked on. Alex's client was wrongfully convicted of murder; Alex argued his case in front of the Seventh Circuit of the United States as a third year law student, and his client was released from prison after the Seventh Circuit decided his case.

Scott serves LSNWJ on the Autonomy Team where he has experience as the Team Leader, and Housing Team. His autonomy team’s work includes creating and completing life planning documents, advocating for clients during involuntary civil commitment proceedings, representing client interests in legal Guardianship matters, and assisting clients in the expungement of criminal records. Scott is frequently seen spearheading our community education with presentations on legal issues.

Scott entered the legal profession with a strong interest in public service. During law school, Scott assisted veterans in applying for Disabilities Benefits. Scott completed a Judicial Clerkship upon graduation and pursued employment with LSNWJ thereafter. Scott was deeply impacted by the advice of one law school professor, who routinely told students that “the law is a helping profession. If you aren’t helping, get out.” Scott appreciates the opportunity afforded by his role with LSNWJ to help clients pursue their essential legal needs.

Scott is a lifelong Philadelphia Eagles fan and has seen them play in stadiums all over the country (including MetLife, of course). So go ahead and bring Scott your toughest challenges—he is used to disappointment! LSNJ Richard J. Bennett Supervising Attorney Award 2022.

Carrie began her law career in 1992 as law clerk to the Hon. Walter R. Barisonek and the Hon James J. Walsh, of Union County, followed by a number of years as in-house counsel and in general private practice. Carrie began her work in public interest at Essex-Newark Legal Services, in the Elder Law Unit from 1999 to 2002. In 2002 Carrie started the Anti-Predatory Lending Project at Legal Services of New Jersey. During her time at LSNJ, she worked in the areas of foreclosure defense, legislation, consumer litigation, disaster relief, and the LSNJ hotline.

Carrie joined Legal Services of Northwest Jersey in 2015 practicing in consumer law, housing, and public benefits. Carrie serves on the NJ State Bar Consumer Protection Special Committee, the Somerset County Continuum of Care Committee, the COC Racial Disparity Work Group, and the Union County Community Dispute Resolution Program. Carrie enjoys art of all forms, music, and travel. LSNJ Gail E. Chester Award, Hurricane Sandy Response Team 2013.

Luisa provides legal consultation and/or representation in family law issues (such as domestic violence restraining orders, custody, divorce) to victims of intimate partner violence who are referred through the Morris County Family Justice Center (MCFJC).

She began her legal career at Essex-Newark Legal Services, where she worked seven years in the Elder Law, Consumer, and Housing Units, under the guidance of Exec. Director Felipe Chavana. Luisa then served as an Assistant District Attorney in New York, prosecuting intimate partner violence and sexual assault crimes. She thereafter spent a year in private practice as a generalist, but mostly working with adult victims of abuse and as a pool attorney with the Office of the Law Guardian, on behalf of children who were involved in court cases brought by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P). “Although each experience has given me incalculable knowledge and experience, coming back to Legal Services was coming back home again.”

Luisa is also a classically trained singer who has been a featured performer with the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts Program. She makes costumes and accessories as a hobby. LSNJ Gale E. Chester Attorney Award 2011.

Alisa clerked for the Hon. John J. Callahan, a family court judge in Union County and thereafter worked at Essex-Newark Legal Services for 9 years as a Managing Attorney of the Elder Law Unit. She has been a part of LSNWJ since May 2002. Alisa handles family law, domestic violence, bankruptcy, and consumer law matters, as well as commitment hearings, and prepares planning documents such as Wills. She serves on the Hunterdon County Bar Association Domestic Violence Committee.

Alisa enjoys hiking, traveling and spending time with her family as well as being involved with local community projects. LSNJ J. Harris David Award for Career Service to People in Poverty 2020; LSNJ Ronald B. Atlas Attorney Award 2010; LSNJ Richard J. Bennett Supervising Attorney Award 2000; Safe in Hunterdon’s The Community of Light Social Justice Award 2008, in recognition of her work assisting victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Grace joined legal services in the Belvidere office in 1998 and has been handling various family, public entitlements, and housing matters ever since. The pursuit of justice has led Grace to the Appellate Division a number of times, where she attained favorable results. Grace strives each day to provide services to the most vulnerable in our society in a manner that will make her clients proud that a legal services attorney represented them.

Grace shares that “when I am not working, I am spending time with my wonderful husband and three sons who never cease to amaze me and who put smiles on my face every day!” NJ Commission on Professionalism in the Law Professional Lawyer of the Year 2015; Recognition by the Warren County Bar for her commitment to nonprofit work and her diligence, competence, and dedication to the legal profession 2019.

Yvonne works on the Entitlements Team handling SSI and Medicaid, Autonomy Team doing expungement work, and Housing Team on landlord-tenant cases.

Her heart has always been public interest work, discovered in her internships during her time at New York Law School: "I found the work meaningful, fascinating, and important." She has since gained experience as attorney in the Public Benefits Unit, Housing Unit and Consumer Unit at Northeast New Jersey Legal Services in Bergen County. Yvonne also benefits from past experience at the Administration for Children's Services, Family Court Legal Services, representing the agency in protecting New York City children from neglect and abuse, and in her work for the Community Health Law Project. "It was an eye opening experience to see firsthand all the obstacles residents with mental health disabilities and limited income face in our New Jersey communities."

Yvonne is fluent in English and Spanish and proficient in French. She is the mother of twin girls.

Richard leads and mentors the consumer team. Throughout his career, Richard has handled most of the kinds of substantive law we do and has become a valued, creative and authoritative resource for attorneys here on legal questions. He is admitted to practice law in the State of New Jersey and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is a graduate of Rutgers College and Seton Hall School of Law.

He was appellate counsel in notable cases of The Hills Development Company v. Twp. Of Bernards, 103 N.J. 1 (1986); Mastro v PERS, 266 N.J. Super. 445 (App.Div. 1993); Midland Funding v. Thiel; Newton Medical Center v. D.B., LSNWJ Extraordinary Achievement Advancing the Cause of Justice 2016; LSNJ Richard A. Mastro Award for Impact Advocacy 2016; LSNJ J. Harris David Career Service to People in Poverty; LSNJ Donna Hildreth Award for Contributions to Training; 2023 LSNWJ Lifetime Achievement Award.

Kelsey works in the Family Law Team at Legal Services of Northwest Jersey. Before joining LSNWJ, Kelsey was a partner at Ruvolo Law Group, LLC in Morristown. Kelsey left private practice and joined LSNWJ to help a greater number of individuals in the areas of Family Law, which includes domestic violence, divorce, and custody. He is a court-approved mediator.

Kelsey has two dogs, Zoey and Franklin, and is an avid fan of the University of Notre Dame and the New York Yankees.

Victoria has worked for LSNWJ for over 30 years, with 9 in the Warren County office, 15 in Hunterdon, and 7 in Sussex. She has a BA from Fordham University and a JD from Seton Hall Law School. Victoria is admitted to the bar in both New Jersey and New York. LSNJ Richard J. Bennett Supervising Attorney Award 2016, LSNJ Cynthia Barker Attorney Award 1998.

Maria works on our Housing Team. She is a graduate of Touro University’s Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. She enlisted in the New Jersey Air National Guard in 2013 and is currently a Staff Sergeant working as a Public Affairs Specialist. She has always had an inclination towards both public service and litigation. Prior to joining the LSNWJ team, Maria was the Law Clerk for the Honorable Naazneen B. Khan in Essex County, handling juvenile criminal and domestic violence cases.

Maria is an all-around creative, who has trained in acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in Manhattan, and regularly
performs in musical theatre productions throughout New Jersey. She also knits, crochets, and sews, and credits these activities with helping manage ADHD and anxiety.

Ariela practices on the Housing Team doing landlord-tenant work and on the Autonomy Team doing expungements. “My career has been solely devoted to public interest work. Before relocating to Hunterdon County, I spent two years at Northeast New Jersey Legal Services and am excited to bring that same passion and commitment to my work here at Northwest.”

Ariela is a marathoner and avid backpacker, having hiked the entire John Muir Trail, (211 miles through three national parks in California), in 2016.

David has represented clients in consumer cases and tenancy matters and is appointed by the Court in Morris County on guardianship matters, since joining our program in 2008. He currently leads the Housing Team. He earned his J.D. degree from New York Law School and has been admitted to the state and federal courts in New Jersey since 2000. LSNJ Richard J. Bennett Supervising Attorney Award 2016, LSNJ Donna Hildreth Award for Contributions to Training 2013.

Gary practices in the areas of Consumer, Bankruptcy, and Landlord/Tenant law. He started his legal services career in 1987 as a staff attorney with Ocean-Monmouth Legal Services and became supervising attorney of the Ocean County office in 1989 through the end of 2014. Gary was thrilled to return to public service when he joined LSNWJ in March 2019 after practicing for a time in his own private law firm.

Before becoming an attorney, Gary was an educator and used those skills as a lecturer at LSNJ training for many years in the areas of Consumer Law and Bankruptcy, and as an adjunct professor at Ocean County College teaching Business Law Legal Writing & Research, and Introduction to Paralegal Studies. Gary loves the outdoors and enjoys hiking, kayaking, and jogging. He also enjoys cooking, woodworking, and traveling. Hurricane Sandy Response Team (2013); J. Harris David Career Service to People in Poverty (2013); Richard J. Bennett Supervising Attorney Award (2000); Sue Perger Special Award for Statewide Contributions & Impact; Donna Hildreth Award for Contributions in Training (2004).

Andrea came from private practice to LSNWJ in 2008 to work on the Family Representation Project in the cause of reuniting families and protecting children. When the temporary project concluded, Andrea stayed, working with the family team until she transitioned to public entitlements and autonomy work. Andrea represents clients and mentors her teams in Social Security Disability, TANF, GA, EA, SNAP, and Healthcare cases and in agency relationships and hearings advocating for our clients’ maintenance of benefits. Andrea’s goal is to make equal justice a reality for everyone. LSNJ Richard J. Bennett Supervising Attorney Award 2019, LSNJ Gail E. Chester Attorney Award 2013

Jon works on our Housing and Public Entitlements Teams, handling WFNJ, SNAP, Medicaid/Medicare, and SSI.  After graduating from Rutgers Law School, Jon began his public interest career at the Community Health Law Project (CHLP) representing NJ residents living with disabilities. At CHLP, Jon worked for seven years representing clients in landlord/tenant matters, housing subsidy termination hearings, Social Security benefit claims, public benefit denials/terminations, Estate Planning matters, and Family Law issues. “Working at CHLP, I learned how critical access to legal representation is for clients with low income to obtain positive outcomes." Member, Morris County Bar Association; Hispanic Bar Association of NJ

Teri is responsible for the effective and efficient operation of the office, supervision of support staff, and implementation of protocols and procedures. Teri started here as a Paralegal. She says she “grew up” working at legal services: having been here for over 40 years, she finds she is still learning something with each passing year. “Over these many years, I have worked with many different managers, attorneys, and staff and have always been amazed at their dedication and compassion as they assist our clients. I am fortunate to have learned from the best.”

In her limited spare time, Teri enjoys spending it with her large extended family, making quilts for family and friends, baking, and getting lost in a good book. LSNWJ Extraordinary Achievement Advancing the Cause of Justice 2018; LSNJ J. Harris David Career Service to People in Poverty 2006, LSNJ Edith Edelson Paralegal Award 1992.

Originally from Bolivia, Mariela is a compassionate and versatile intake specialist. Mariela has always enjoyed helping people; anything she can do to help, she does it wholeheartedly.

Mariela enjoys spending time with her husband and her four children. She loves to attend their football games, lacrosse games and cheer competitions. She also has a large extended family and loves spending time with them as well. Mariela is a huge Disney fan and loves to plan trips for anyone that asks for help. She is always ready for an adventure. Mariela is bilingual in Spanish and English.

Billie Jean assists with appeals, family law work and consumer/bankruptcies, as well as facilitating LSNWJ’s Morris County Commitment Project, and handling intake. While working full-time she attended night school to achieve her Paralegal Certification. Billie Jean says “I have been committed to public service employment from the outset. I believe all individuals deserve an equal opportunity to what life has to offer. That is why I chose public service work with this organization, and I have been employed with the program for over 40 years." LSNJ Edith Edelson Paralegal Award 1992, LSNJ Mary Dryer Award for Career Service to People in Poverty 2014.

As a member of the Access Team, Sylvia handles intakes for applicants seeking legal services. Sylvia is fluent in Spanish and English.

Cara joined LSNWJ after working as a legal assistant for a private law firm specializing in estate and long term care planning. She looks forward to serving communities in need. Cara is a graduate of Rutgers University. In her spare time, Cara enjoys live music, traveling, and spending time with her loved ones.

Rosalie works within LSNWJ’s partnership with the Morris Family Justice Center, supporting the family law attorney and our clients. Rosalie worked as a paralegal in the private sector for 23 years until she joined LSNWJ in 2018, where she has found her passion working helping families in need. Rosalie enjoys spending time with her family, at the beach hunting for sea glass. LSNJ Rising Star Award 2022

Sonia handles intake, serves on the Language Access Team, Housing Team, and Autonomy Team; coordinates the HEAL Medical-Legal Partnership with Zufall, and handles pro bono coordination for Morris County cases.

Sonia began her career as a secretary in the private legal sector. When she became a paralegal, she worked in the municipal court before dedicating her career to public service work with Central Jersey Legal Services, the Social Security Administration, and finally Legal Services of Northwest Jersey. Sonia likes to quote, “I am my brother’s keeper.” She loves spending time with family, church family, and helping out at the local soup kitchen. Her hobbies include bowling and cooking. Sonia is fluent in Spanish and English.