Laura joined VLP in 2022. She started as a Bilingual Paralegal in the Eviction Legal Aid team before becoming the Housing and Appeals paralegal. Laura graduated from Pine Manor College with a B.S. in Social & Political Sciences and a minor in Criminal Justice. Laura worked at the Somerville District Court as an Administrative Assistant to the Probation Department. She has also worked for an immigration firm, serving as an interpreter and Legal Assistant. Laura enjoys playing soccer, riding motorcycles, and shopping in her spare time.
Darla graduated from the University of Massachusetts Boston with a B.A in Latin American & Iberian Studies and a minor in Sociology in May of 2023. Before joining VLP, Darla participated in the Lindsay Fellowship at the U.S District Court for the District of Massachusetts. After completing the Lindsay fellowship, Darla served a year of service with Americorps BU-CAC serving at a Boston Public Schools’ high school as a college adviser. During her free time, she likes to spend time with friends and family and exploring new restaurants in Boston.
Gloria graduated from Salem State University with a B.S. in Criminal Justice in 2022. She will be receiving her M.S. in Criminal Justice in Spring 2023. Before joining VLP, Gloria interned at the Boston Court Service Center, where she mainly helped Spanish-speaking litigants fill out court documents.
Merit Brent Joined VLP in October 2024. Originally from Ethiopia, she earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Prior to VLP, Merit gained valuable experience working with various nonprofits and legal aid organizations, including her role as an AmeriCorps Legal Advocate at SCCLS.
Emelia joined VLP in March of 2021. She is originally from Kansas City, MO, and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Wingate University in NC. Before VLP, Emelia served two years with AmeriCorps NCCC in Baltimore, MD, and AmeriCorps State and National here in Boston, serving at a youth mentoring organization. Most recently, Emelia worked as a Senior Partnerships Manager at Boston Partners in Education, an academic mentoring organization that supports students in Boston Public Schools. Emelia is excited to continue supporting volunteers as they provide access to justice for clients.
Barbara is the Volunteer Lawyers Project Compliance and Technology Director and Senior Partners for Justice Project Manager. Barbara graduated from Brown University (B.A. 1982) and Boston College Law School (J.D. 1989). Her legal career began in 1989 with a clerkship in the Massachusetts Appeals Court and an associate position in a law firm. In 1992, she entered legal aid and had yet to look back. Before joining VLP, she served as a senior staff attorney at the Disability Law Center and as Assistant Legal Director at the Community Legal Services and Counseling Center.
Geraldine Gruvis-Pizarro has worked in legal services for over 12 years with a focus on Family law matters and until recently was the Supervising Attorney for the Family Law and Guardianship Unit at the Volunteer Lawyers Project. Geraldine is excited to join VLP’s leadership team as the first Director of Advocacy and Pro Bono. Geraldine is the Language Chairperson at VLP and represents the agency at the statewide Language Access Coalition and the Race and Equity Coalition. Before VLP, Geraldine worked in immigration law, housing, and disability law in addition to her work with family law and victims of domestic violence. Geraldine is a member of the SJC Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services, where she is co-chair of the Communications, Outreach, and Diversity sub-committee; she is a member of the BBA Family Law Steering Committee and has been named a Top Women in Law 2022 by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.
April Jones graduated from Johnson & Wales in 2000 with a B.S. in Accounting. She specializes in nonprofit accounting and enjoys doing jigsaw puzzles and spending time with her family. April came to VLP in 2021 as our Director of Finance and Operations.
Joanna has been the Executive Director of the Volunteer Lawyers Project since 2015. She attended law school at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Before becoming Executive Director, she practiced as a supervising attorney in landlord and tenant disputes, consumer debt defense, foreclosure prevention, bankruptcy, unemployment insurance, and more.
