Impact100 South Jersey's Leadership Council member, Patty Legge, recently received The Mary Philbrook Award, presented annually by the Rutgers Law School - Camden (NJ) Women’s Law Caucus and the Association for Public Interest Law, for her work as Executive Director of the Volunteer UP Legal Clinic.  The award recognizes alums who exemplify a lifelong commitment to social justice and public service.

Since launching the clinic in her kitchen in 2018, Patty has made extraordinary strides toward expanding access to justice in South Jersey. "We congratulate Patty on this well-deserved recognition and thank Rutgers Law for honoring her outstanding leadership, service, and unwavering advocacy for justice," said Kate Williamson, President, Impact100 South Jersey.

Patty has transformed a grassroots idea into a thriving nonprofit with five staff members, over 200 volunteer attorneys, and a half-million-dollar budget—all dedicated to providing high-quality, pro bono legal services across South Jersey. “Access to justice should not depend on your income, your background, or your past,” Patty shared, reflecting her belief that every person deserves fair and compassionate legal representation.

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.

Congratulations, Patty, on this well-deserved recognition for your leadership, compassion, and lifelong dedication to public service!