Press Release: Access Justice Brooklyn Announces the Appointment of Vidya Dindiyal to Young Professionals Board
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Monday, July 1, 2024
ACCESS JUSTICE BROOKLYN ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF A NEW YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BOARD MEMBER (click here to download the press release)
Brooklyn, New York –– Access Justice Brooklyn announces the appointment of a new member to its Young Professionals Board (YPB) following the organization’s Board meeting held on Wednesday, June 5, 2024.
Joining Access Justice Brooklyn’s YPB is Vidya Dindiyal, Associate, Thompson Coburn LLP. Upon her appointment, Vidya shared the following:
“I am thrilled to be elected to the YPB of Access Justice Brooklyn, an organization whose transformational and deeply systemic work and mission are integral to the advancement of civil rights for all New Yorkers. This work is near and dear to my heart.”
Vidya’s expertise and dedication to social justice are poised to introduce new perspectives and creative strategies to the organization. “We are excited to welcome Vidya to the YPB! Her combined professional experience, enthusiasm, and commitment to equal justice aligns perfectly with the vision and mission of Access Justice Brooklyn,” said Michelle Tuma and Lisa Zivkovic, Access Justice Brooklyn YPB co-chairs.
Access Justice Brooklyn’s YPB was established to support the organization’s Board of Directors and its goal of making the legal system more accessible and equitable for low-income Brooklyn residents. The YPB unites rising talent professionals across the legal and non-legal sectors who are motivated to utilize their time, experience, and diverse skill sets in service of Access Justice Brooklyn’s mission. The YPB serves as an advisor to and agent of the Board of Directors, driving an array of activities including community outreach and program expansion with a current focus on financial literacy, event planning and fundraising, and providing strategic guidance to the organization.
Vidya joins a 7-member Young Professionals Board including: Michelle D. Tuma, Winston & Strawn LLP, co-chair; Lisa V. Zivkovic, Ph.D, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, co-chair; Cooper Bellinson, Ares Management Corporation; Jacob Godshall, GIC; Keren Goldshlager, Meta; Aaron Kahen, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP; and Wendy Li, BSE Global.
In Access Justice Brooklyn’s continuing strategic growth efforts, the organization currently seeks to add several new YPB members including dedicated and socially conscious young professionals with a deep commitment to access to justice and who bring innovative ideas and have a passion for helping underserved communities in Brooklyn. Strong leadership skills, a collaborative spirit, and a network of connections within the legal, corporate, or nonprofit sectors are highly valued.
About Access Justice Brooklyn:
Access Justice Brooklyn partners with compassionate pro bono attorneys to provide high-quality, civil legal services that help ensure equal access to the legal system. The organization’s approach prioritizes the most basic, essential elements and experiences of human life, including housing, family stability, and subsistence income. Its proven pro bono model—recruit, train, supervise, and support—also provides flexibility to address new legal issues as they emerge. Everyone, whether an attorney or not, has a role to play in expanding access to justice. Visit www.accessjusticebrooklyn.org or email info@accessjusticebk.org to volunteer, donate, or find other ways to get involved.
Press Contact:
Melissa Starr | Senior Director of Development & Strategic Initiatives | 718-473-9209 | melissa@accessjusticebk.org
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“To be part of an organization committed to doing good, where I can utilize my law practice and leverage that experience in a way to help the community is an incredible gift that lured me to join Access Justice Brooklyn. The opportunity to use my elder law experience to directly empower and educate seniors about the importance of making legal decisions that will allow them to maintain control over critical aspects of their lives and to build awareness of their rights to help them age safely in place, is especially gratifying. 
“I am excited to join the Access Justice Brooklyn team because of their mission of achieving a more equitable Brooklyn. I believe that everyone deserves a fair chance at justice and AJB works to meet people where they are while linking them to the resources to empower themselves. I am excited to join the hardworking team at Access Justice Brooklyn so that I may connect Brooklynites to crucial resources needed to to effectively navigate the legal system. With experience as a social worker, I’m accustomed to approaching situations with compassion and empathy. I hope to use my experience to deliver effective and compassionate assistance to those across the borough.”
“Growing up as one of the only English speakers in my home, I viscerally experienced the inaccessibility of our legal and political systems early on. This quickly became the fuel for my pursuing a career in law and public advocacy, which is why applying to Access Justice Brooklyn was a no-brainer. The average client at Access Justice Brooklyn, like most low-income Americans, is typically overwhelmed and confused by the legal system from the moment they receive notice of a lawsuit. Organizations like Access Justice Brooklyn are some of the only lifelines available for bridging this profound gap in representation, especially with cases regarding foreclosures and consumer debt. I feel lucky to be able to contribute to a working model of direct service legal support that is committed to not only doing the work in the courts, but also working with communities directly through outreach and policy advocacy. As one of the first points of contact at the organization, I am most excited about the direct service nature of the work we do. In the short time I’ve been here, I’ve already seen the impact that just listening can have on someone who feels unseen by the larger legal and political systems.”
