Alana Montas joins Access Justice Brooklyn Board; Vidya Dindiyal appointed to Young Professionals Board
Alana Montas, newly elected member of the Access Justice Brooklyn Board of Directors, brings her extensive experience in litigation and pro bono work to the organization. Photo courtesy of Access Justice Brooklyn
Access Justice Brooklyn announced on Tuesday two appointments following recent board meetings: Alana Montas, counsel in the Department of Enforcement at FINRA, has been elected to the Board of Directors, and Vidya Dindiyal, associate at Thompson Coburn LLP, has been appointed to the Young Professionals Board (YPB).
Montas, an experienced litigator with a strong background in pro bono work, expressed her enthusiasm about joining the board.
“I am delighted to be joining the board of Access Justice Brooklyn, an organization dedicated to providing equal access to legal services across Brooklyn,” Montas said. “As an experienced litigator, I helped pro bono clients navigate the many challenges of the legal system to obtain favorable results. I look forward to continuing to advocate for the Brooklyn community and advancing the mission of Access Justice Brooklyn.”
Michael Watson, secretary of the Access Justice Brooklyn Board of Directors, welcomed Montas’s appointment.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Alana to the Access Justice Brooklyn Board,” Watson said. “Throughout her career, Alana has had a significant impact, intervening at pivotal moments to guide her pro bono clients through the legal system and change their lives for the better. Her dedication to her craft and compassion for others make her an ideal member of the board, and her passion for all things Brooklyn aligns perfectly with our mission. I can’t wait to begin working together in service of the Brooklyn community.”
Vidya Dindiyal, newly appointed to the YPB, also shared her excitement.
“I am thrilled to be elected to the YPB of Access Justice Brooklyn, an organization whose transformational and deeply systemic work and mission are integral to the advancement of civil rights for all New Yorkers,” Dindiyal said. “This work is near and dear to my heart.”
Michelle Tuma and Lisa Zivkovic, co-chairs of the YPB, praised Dindiyal’s dedication to social justice.
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.
Montas joins a 21-member Board of Directors that includes Lynn Judell (Chair), Stephen Williamson (Vice Chair), Lisa Braun (Treasurer), and a diverse group of professionals from various sectors. Dindiyal joins a 7-member Young Professionals Board that includes Michelle Tuma (co-chair), Lisa Zivkovic (co-chair), Cooper Bellinson, Jacob Godshall, Keren Goldshlager, Aaron Kahen and Wendy Li.
Access Justice Brooklyn partners with pro bono attorneys to provide civil legal services in an effort to ensure equal access to the legal system. The organization focuses on fundamental human needs, including housing, family stability, and subsistence income. Its pro bono model — recruit, train, supervise and support — offers flexibility to address emerging legal issues.
