Jacqueline Vigilante is in the business of helping people.
“That’s why we’re here,” Vigilante says of herself and the team at The Vigilante Law Firm. “We try to help as many people as we can.”
A seasoned attorney, Vigilante has been practicing for nearly 40 years. Vigilante is a New Jersey Supreme Court certified civil litigator, a designation earned by only a small number of New Jersey attorneys. Her boutique litigation firm based in Mullica Hill, with roots in Philadelphia, concentrates in employment law and also offers services in personal injury, business law, criminal and municipal matters, estate planning and real estate law.
With just two lawyers—Vigilante and her son, Christopher Ross—the firm may be small, but it is mighty. Considered one of the premier employment firms in South Jersey, The Vigilante Law Firm has taken on some of the toughest cases in the region, recently securing win before the New Jersey Supreme Court.
“We’ve developed a good reputation,” Vigilante says, “and I think it’s because we work so hard for our clients.”
Business owner, business leader
Despite her long tenure as an attorney, Vigilante still wakes up every day happy with the career path she chose.
“It is challenging, but it’s fun. I still enjoy what I do,” she remarks.
While advocating for clients is her main focus, she also has to prioritize running the business side of the firm. At the end of the day, there is payroll to meet, insurance to provide and the lights to keep on—but it all balances out, especially thanks to having a dedicated team, an amazing office manager for the last 20 years and a great working relationship with her son.
“The business side is still the business side,” Vigilante says, “but we wouldn’t be able to provide the quality results that we do and have the flexibility to take on the kinds of cases we do if we were a mega firm.”
Building a strong reputation
When it comes to employment law, clients have often been treated unfairly. They’re tired, worn down and can’t stand up for themselves. That’s where Vigilante comes in.
“They need a really strong advocate, someone who is unafraid of going in there to fight. I fight hard, but I fight fair,” she says. “I’m not intimidated. I’m not fearful. I’m a take the bull by the horns kind of person and I charge right in.”
Vigilante is proud to represent members of the Fraternal Order of Police—especially women in law enforcement. She says her book of business has largely come from referrals from past clients—and even from opposing counsel—which speaks to the type of attorney she is.
“We try to treat everybody well along the way, including our adversaries. We’re never disrespectful,” Vigilante says, adding that she follows the saying that advises treating everyone well as you rise, since those same people will be around when you fall.
It’s important, she stresses, to be a partner throughout the process for your client. After all, they need to be able to rely on the attorney and firm they hire.
“We’re happy to fill that role,” says Vigilante. “We’ve been blessed because we’ve operated that same way over the years, so clients come back to us. It’s because of the trust and relationships we’ve built.”
Being a mentor
This philosophy of supporting others and building relationships branches out to the area of mentorship, too. The Vigilante Law Firm brings in interns, mostly from Rowan University, but also from Rutgers. They have paralegal and law student internships and are happy to help guide future attorneys on their journey.
“When they end up going to law school, it’s in part from their experience here. We show them being a lawyer doesn’t mean you’re locked in a building 20 stories high without ever seeing the light of day or a client’s face,” Vigilante says. “I’m proud to have influenced many young lawyers in their careers.”
A path forward
Since Vigilante started practicing law, the world has changed. Fax machines were state of the art 40 years ago. Computers weren’t part of the equation. But what hasn’t changed is the advocacy she brings on behalf of her clients.
“I feel like now, everybody can ChatGPT a lawyer, but at the end of the day that’s not going to help them,” Vigilante says. “I can explain things in ways that people can understand. I can provide them a path forward that they may otherwise not have had. I hold hands through the process.”
Vigilante still puts in 6o-hour work weeks—but the long hours are worth it.
“It makes me feel good that I can be that person for a lot of people who can’t be that advocate for themselves,” she says. “We believe it’s an honor and a privilege to be able to help others, and we’re committed to making a difference.”
The Vigilante Law Firm
Mullica Hill
(856) 223-9990
TheVigilanteLawFirm.com
Photograph by Alison Dunlap
