Brooklyn VLP: Media

  1. Press Release: Access Justice Brooklyn Announces the Appointment of 2 New Young Professionals Board Members

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    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Tuesday, March 24, 2026

    ACCESS JUSTICE BROOKLYN ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF TWO NEW YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BOARD MEMBERS (click here to download the full press release)

    Martese Johnson
    Associate
    Cadwalader

    Caleb Mims
    Legal Marketing Specialist
    Rubenstein

    Brooklyn, New York –– Access Justice Brooklyn announces the appointment of two new members to its Young Professionals Board (YPB) following the organization’s Board meeting held on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

    Joining Access Justice Brooklyn’s YPB are Martese Johnson, Associate at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, and Caleb Mims, Legal Marketing Specialist at Rubenstein. “We are very happy to have Martese Johnson and Caleb Mims join Access Justice Brooklyn’s Young Professionals Board. Martese and Caleb are both excited to utilize their talents in support of services that contribute to economic justice, helping ensure that income does not represent a barrier to legal help and financial stability. We’re eager to integrate Martese and Caleb into our work and community,” said Lilia Toson, Access Justice Brooklyn President & CEO.

    Upon their appointment, the new members shared the following:

    “As a Southside Chicago native and a resident of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, I have both observed and experienced first-hand the injustices that persist as a result of citizens’ lack of access to sufficient legal knowledge and representation. Access Justice Brooklyn’s organizational mission to bridge the justice gap is synonymous with one of the major reasons I climb out of bed each morning. I am elated to join the YPB, and to serve as a resource to AJB and the larger Brooklyn community,” said Martese.

    “I’m grateful to have the opportunity to contribute to the growing impact that Access Justice Brooklyn has had in building a more equitable Brooklyn; it’s a huge honor and responsibility to help remove systemic barriers,” said Caleb.

    Access Justice Brooklyn’s YPB supports the organization’s Board of Directors and its goal of closing the justice gap for individuals facing foreclosure, insurmountable debt, and other threats to their economic security – strengthening Brooklyn families and communities. The YPB unites rising professionals across the legal and non-legal sectors who are motivated to utilize their time, experience, and unique skill sets in service of Access Justice Brooklyn’s mission and vision for an equitable Brooklyn.

    Access Justice Brooklyn is in an exciting phase of the organization’s lifecycle, with Lilia Toson driving operational advancement and strategic growth. Therefore, with a wave of momentum and new engagement opportunities, Access Justice Brooklyn seeks to add several new YPB members including dedicated and socially conscious young professionals with a deep commitment to access to justice and economic security, and who bring innovative ideas and a passion for helping underserved communities in Brooklyn. Strong leadership abilities, a collaborative spirit, and a network of connections within the legal, financial, nonprofit, or corporate sectors are highly valued. Learn more here.

  2. Access Justice Brooklyn Announces Lilia Toson as the Organization’s New President & CEO

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    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Wednesday, November 12, 2025

    ACCESS JUSTICE BROOKLYN ANNOUNCES LILIA TOSON AS THE ORGANIZATION’S NEW PRESIDENT & CEO (click here to download the press release)

    Lilia Toson
    AJB Incoming President & CEO

    Lynn Judell
    Chair, AJB Board of Directors

    Mark Lande
    AJB Board Member and Search Committee Chair

    Brooklyn, New York –– Access Justice Brooklyn (AJB) announces the appointment of the organization’s next President & CEO, Lilia Toson, following a diligent and strategic search led by AJB’s Board Search Committee and Josie Sandler, CEO and Founder of Sandler Search, a national boutique executive search firm.

    On behalf of AJB, Mark Lande, Board Member and Search Committee Chair, shared the following: “Thank you to Josie and the team at Sandler Search in guiding us through the recruitment process to select Access Justice Brooklyn’s new President & CEO. We immediately recognized that Lilia would be an excellent fit for AJB: with her experience, dedication to public service, deep understanding of our work, and strong ties to the Brooklyn community, we are confident that she will bring the dynamic leadership necessary to further the organization’s success for years to come.”

    As the former Attorney-in-Charge of Civil Citywide Units at The Legal Aid Society (LAS), Lilia led a large staff representing New Yorkers across a broad spectrum of specialties through the organization’s Economic Equities Project, Education Law Project, Employment Law Unit, Family/DV Unit, Government Benefits & Disability Advocacy Project, and Health Law Unit.

    Prior to joining LAS, as an Assistant Attorney General for New York State, Lilia handled cases seeking to protect the civil and constitutional rights of all New Yorkers. She has previously served as a Senior Counsel in the Affirmative Litigation Division of the NYC Law Department, an associate at Cleary Gottlieb, and a clerk for the Judge Duane Benton of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

    As a civil rights lawyer and fierce advocate for justice, Lilia is guided by a strong belief in community driven programming which is at the heart of AJB’s model and approach. She has also successfully developed and strengthened a range of impactful and longstanding relationships within the corporate and major law firm space as well as with funders, government agencies, and organizational partners.

    “I am delighted to welcome Lilia as Access Justice Brooklyn’s new President & CEO. As an accomplished and dedicated champion for justice – and a proud Brooklynite – Lilia exemplifies the inspiring leader we had envisioned for AJB’s next chapter. I could not be more excited to have Lilia at the organization’s helm,” shared Lynn Judell, Chair, AJB Board of Directors. “On behalf of the board and AJB’s community, I also want to thank Melissa Starr for graciously stepping into the Interim President & CEO role over the last year. We are so grateful for Melissa’s inspiring and steadfast leadership which ensured the organization’s continued stability and advancement during this period of transition. With Lilia joining us in the new year, we are well positioned for continued operational growth and impact. I look forward to us all working together to further AJB’s mission in service to the Brooklyn community.”

    “I am thrilled to lead Access Justice Brooklyn, an organization that successfully utilizes the talents of public interest lawyers, the private bar, and cross industry professionals to increase economic equity,” said Lilia Toson. “Those who offer their time to assist low-income Brooklynites each year make an incredible difference in the lives and livelihoods of our clients. I look forward to working with the Board, staff, and volunteers to expand AJB’s programming to meet our vision of a Brooklyn where everyone has equal access to the legal and financial systems.”

    Lilia will be welcomed by the AJB community at the organization’s upcoming Gala held on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at the Brooklyn Museum and officially assumes her role as AJB’s President & CEO on Monday, January 5, 2026.

    “Lilia Toson is an exceptional lawyer and visionary leader whose skill, judgment, and deep commitment to justice have always set her apart. I had the privilege of working with her and witnessed her ability to navigate complex legal challenges with clarity and purpose while motivating those around her toward meaningful impact. Access Justice Brooklyn could not have chosen a more capable and inspiring leader to advance its mission.”
    –– Adriene Holder, Chief Attorney, Civil Practice, The Legal Aid Society

    “Lilia Toson has a proven track record of providing essential legal assistance to low-income families and individuals. In her new leadership role, she will have an even greater impact on New Yorkers who urgently need legal aid.”
    –– Steven Banks, Former head of The Legal Aid Society and the former City Social Services Commissioner.

    “Lilia Toson combines the skills of a brilliant lawyer and determined advocate with compassionate community building leadership. Her stellar track record of creative problem solving to promote access to justice uniquely positions Lilia as a visionary leader of AJB.”
    –– Janet Sabel, Former CEO of The Legal Aid Society NYC, ED Center on Civil Justice at NYU School of Law.

  3. Access Justice Brooklyn Launch Party hosted by Board Member Jeffrey B. Gewirtz, BSE Global

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    Arnold and Clara Gewirtz with Jeffrey Gewirtz
    Access Justice Brooklyn Board of Directors
    Access Justice Brooklyn Staff

    On July 13, 2022, we celebrated Access Justice Brooklyn and the launch of our new name, new brand, and renewed mission. The celebration took place at the Crown Club at Barclays Center and was hosted by Access Justice Brooklyn Board Member Jeffrey B. Gewirtz, Executive Vice President & General Counsel, BSE Global.

    Founded in 1990 to help close the gap in legal resources and representation in the borough, we have been a pioneer of contemporary pro bono models and a progressive force in the community. We believe that broad, sustainable systems change requires a holistic approach, and our new brand is a more accurate reflection of who we are today and our vision for the future. Read the press release here.

    Thank you to Jeff Gewirtz for his leadership, support and generosity and for providing us with a night to remember at the Barclays Center.

    A special thank you to Access Justice Brooklyn Board Members, Young Professionals Board Members, and our dedicated staff without whom this rebrand, and launch would not be possible!

    For more photos of the evening, visit our Instagram and Facebook page.

    —
    Photography by Reuben Kleiner.