About Volunteer UP Legal Clinic
What We Do​
Volunteer UP Legal Clinic's mission is to UPlift and empower communities of South Jersey through legal representation, advocacy, and community awareness. The Clinic connects individuals and families facing legal barriers with specialized staff and dedicated volunteer attorneys who provide high-quality pro bono legal services to those most in need. Volunteer UP is committed to creating a more just landscape in which all those in South Jersey will have access to quality legal services.
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Who We Serve
Primarily serving Camden, Burlington, and Gloucester Counties, our volunteer and staff attorneys assist with a wide range of legal issues, including eviction diversion, expungement, municipal court matters and driver’s license restoration, name changes, wills, living wills, and powers of attorney, and so much more. Our clients include previously justice-involved individuals and their families, veterans, individuals facing mental health and addiction challenges, and families at risk of homelessness.
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Client Assessment and Attorney Matching
Volunteer UP works with our clients to determine their specific legal needs and makes appropriate referrals to volunteer attorneys, aligning each case with an attorney’s area of practice. This screening process ensures that pro bono attorneys can maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of their volunteer time.
Volunteer Attorney Support and Benefits
Volunteer attorneys play vital roles as mentors, subject matter experts, and community educators. Additionally, attorneys who contribute 25 hours annually to Volunteer UP earn exemption from Madden v. Delran pro bono case appointments, as Volunteer UP is certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a pro bono organization.
Join Us in Making a Difference
Volunteer UP Legal Clinic is driven by a dedication to justice, equity, and community support. By bridging the gap to legal resources, we strive to make a lasting difference in the lives of South Jersey’s most vulnerable residents.​
Meet Our Team
The team at Volunteer UP Legal Clinic brings together dedicated professionals with experience in law, social work, and community advocacy to serve the South Jersey community.​
Patricia A. Legge, Esq., LMSW
Executive Director
Patty Legge combines her legal and social work expertise to support the most vulnerable clients in need of legal services across South Jersey. Before joining Volunteer UP, she served as a career law clerk for the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, dedicating over 22 years to federal service. Alongside her legal career, Patty taught law for 15 years, primarily as an adjunct professor at her alma mater, Rutgers Camden Law, and as a founding faculty member at Drexel University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law.​
Patricia Kane O’Connor, Esq., Ph.D.
Senior Housing Justice Attorney
Trish O'Connor is a tireless advocate for tenants' rights in South Jersey, representing clients who lack access to legal support in Burlington County's Landlord-Tenant Court. After graduating from Seton Hall Law School, she joined Volunteer UP Legal Clinic as a New Jersey Housing Justice Corps Fellow. She contributes to statewide tenant advocacy through policy work and data analysis. Prior to her legal career, Trish earned advanced degrees in Literature and worked as a high school teacher.​
Kate Doyle, Esq.
Reentry Staff Attorney
Kate Doyle (she/they) provides critical legal assistance to clients with criminal records, helping them and their families navigate barriers to housing, employment, and other opportunities for a fresh start. Her work aims to reduce the long-term impacts of involvement with the criminal-legal system, creating brighter futures for individuals and their families. Previously, Kate served as a Staff Attorney at the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence. She is a graduate of Rutgers Law School, with internships at Community Legal Services and Rutgers Veterans Advocacy Clinic, among others.​
Kaitlyn Owens, Esq.
Housing Justice Attorney
Kait Owens provides pro bono tenant advocacy and eviction prevention services in Gloucester, Cumberland, and Salem Counties, helping clients who would otherwise lack legal representation. A Rutgers Law School graduate with a deep commitment to public interest, she works to protect tenants' rights and secure safe, affordable housing. Through legal representation and education about tenant rights, she strives to increase access to legal assistance and empower communities.
Elizabeth M. Gallagher
Programs and Development Coordinator
Elizabeth Gallagher leads our initiatives to grow Volunteer UP’s resources, strengthen volunteer engagement, and assess program impact. Her work plays an essential role in helping us expand our services and enhance our community impact. Formerly a Trial Attorney and Partner with an AM Law 200 firm, Elizabeth later transitioned into teaching. She is a graduate of Dickinson School of Law and the University of Rochester.