Jeff Gruen, Legal Director for Labor & Employment Practices at Merck & Co., Inc., began volunteering with Pro Bono Partnership in 2017 and has already assisted seven nonprofits with critical employment issues. Jeff has been a tremendous resource for our nonprofits seeking guidance on New Jersey’s new sick leave law, which went into effect late last year. The Executive Director of the Commission on Accreditation for Home Care, Inc., a nonprofit that received Jeff’s assistance on this new law, said that Jeff “did an amazing job in his review and modification suggestions to our PTO Policy… Jeff’s professionalism was exceptional throughout and his work product and dedication to our need remains so appreciated.”
In 2018, The Union County Economic Development Corporation (UCEDC), a nonprofit that fosters economic growth by providing financial and technical assistance to new and existing businesses with emphasis on benefiting underserved people and communities, came to us with a somewhat urgent employment issue. Without hesitation, Jeff agreed to help. Upon completion of the project, Maureen Tinen, President of UCEDC, expressed her gratitude on behalf of the organization, noting that “we certainly could not have navigated through this process without your assistance and expertise. I sincerely thank you for your personal level of support and the obvious caring you exhibited.”
The Partnership and our nonprofit clients are thankful to Jeff for his dedication, professionalism, and respect. We are also grateful to all of the Merck employees who support the work and mission of Pro Bono Partnership, in particular Lauran D’Alessio, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel for Corporate Transactions at Merck, and a member of our Board.