FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
ACCESS JUSTICE BROOKLYN ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF TWO NEW YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BOARD MEMBERS (click here to download the press release)
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 March 7, 2024.
Joining Access Justice Brooklyn’s YPB is Cooper Bellinson, Associate at Ares Management Corporation, and Aaron Kahen, Associate at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP. Upon their appointment, the new members shared the following:
“Throughout my life I have had the privilege of having access to business legal services, which have played a fundamental role in getting to me into college and ultimately my job. I am passionate about helping connect others with legal services, so that they can achieve the same freedoms I have benefited from,” said Cooper.
“As someone who has been active in family law and landlord-tenant pro bono activities, I’m excited to join the AJB YPB board in order to help give back in Brooklyn, where I live and where I love to call home,” said Aaron.
Through their dedication and diverse expertise, YPB members like Cooper and Aaron play a vital role in expanding programs that cater to the needs of our neighbors in need. “The YPB is thrilled to welcome Aaron and Cooper to our ranks and are looking forward to a productive year supporting Access Justice Brooklyn’s mission,” 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.
Cooper and Aaron join a 5-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; Jacob Godshall, GIC; Keren Goldshlager, Meta; 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 abilities, a collaborative spirit, and a network of connections within the legal, nonprofit, or corporate 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. 
