Two attorneys from Rutgers Law School’s Housing Justice and Tenant Solidarity Clinic will receive prestigious Equal Justice Medals from Legal Services of New Jersey on April 29. Victor Monterrosa ’14, the clinic's managing director, and Alaina Thomas ’17, a staff attorney, are being recognized for their impactful handling of cases referred by Legal Services of New Jersey, as well as for their dedicated mentorship of law students within the clinic. Under their guidance, clinic students have achieved significant and positive outcomes for their clients, embodying Rutgers Law School's commitment to public service and social justice.
“Both Alaina and Victor are local to the Newark area; this is their community,” says Greg Baltz, assistant professor of law and co-director of the Housing Justice and Tenant Solidarity Clinic. “They are often the first people who tenants and organizers call when someone comes forward with a problem. They went to school here, they grew up here, they practice here, and they really want to make sure the community has access to this institution and the services we provide. In turn, they provide mentorship as well as a bridge to the community for our clinic students.”
Alaina Thomas
Thomas, a dedicated housing attorney serving residents in the greater Newark area, emphasizes community lawyering techniques to empower tenants and strengthen local efforts against displacement and gentrification. Before joining Rutgers Law School, Thomas advocated for tenants facing eviction as a staff attorney at Essex-Newark Legal Services. Additionally, she provided vital legal assistance to elder abuse survivors as an Equal Justice Works Elder Justice AmeriCorps Fellow in Hudson, Passaic, and Bergen counties.
“Alaina models what it truly means to be a public interest lawyer and, as I begin my own public interest career, I could not have asked for a better mentor,” says Anusha Das, a 3L student in the Housing Justice and Tenant Solidarity Clinic. “When I think of Alaina as a lawyer, the first word that comes to mind is ‘community.’ Alaina’s advocacy is deeply entrenched in the belief that the true capability for change comes from developing stronger communities.” Indeed, Das highlighted Thomas' innovative and client-centered advocacy, emphasizing her willingness to explore alternatives beyond litigation, such as tenant organizing and community mobilization.
“I feel extremely privileged to do the work we do in this clinic,” says Thomas. “In addition to advancing housing justice in my hometown and working directly with my community, it is an honor to work alongside our incredible student attorneys and watch their capacity and confidence grow throughout each semester. I see this award as a testament to the dedication of our entire team.”
Victor Monterrosa
Monterrosa brings extensive community organizing experience to Rutgers Law School. Prior to joining Rutgers, Monterrosa managed an emergency homeless shelter for the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless, worked as a tenant organizer with the Greater Newark HUD Tenants Coalition (HTC), and served as community partnerships and outreach coordinator at Ironbound Community Corporation’s Family Success Center West. His active engagement with advocacy groups and legal service organizations made him a familiar presence at city council meetings and Newark Housing Authority negotiations. He often served as a local liaison to federal and state representatives. Upon becoming an attorney, Monterrosa established Monterrosa Law LLC, a boutique firm dedicated to tenant advocacy, and co-founded Homes for All Newark, a coalition empowering Newark residents to advocate for local change.
As a supervisor in the Housing Justice and Tenant Solidarity Clinic, Monterrosa is known for his collaborative, informative, and approachable teaching style, as well as his strategic approach to handling complicated cases. “While working together, Victor and I had the opportunity to closely assist several tenants in protecting them from wrongful eviction,” says Daniel Tokarz ’24. “These moments highlighted Victor’s passion and his skill in advocating for those in need. Even during their most challenging times, Victor knew how to navigate difficulties and provide tenants with the reassurance that their rights would be protected.”
For Monterrosa, this award is the culmination of a lifetime of work. “As a lifelong Newarker, my dream came true when I co-founded this clinic,” he says. “It is a pleasure to teach law students the ins and outs of being a people’s lawyer and tenant organizer. Programs and opportunities like this are necessary but rare, and impossible to execute without state funding. It is continuously rewarding to see the return on that investment as law students learn about and engage in housing justice struggles, educate tenants and landlords, prevent evictions, and graduate with a useful litigation experience.”