JoEllyn L. Jones Esq.is a mother, daughter, sister, friend, and defense attorney.
She received her BA from Rowan University, JD from Widener University -Delaware Law Schook and her Master’s Degree in Restorative Justice with Distinction from Vermont Graduate and Law School. She currently works for Seton Hall Law School’s Center for Social Justice as a Practitioner in Residence overseeing the Criminal Legal Education and Advocacy Reentry Project. In addition, she works part-time at her own solo law practice, The Law Office of JoEllyn L. Jones LLC.
In addition to being a Board Member with NACDL, she is the co-chair of the Diversity Committee and the State Legislative Affairs Committee. She is a member of the Decarceration Committee. Board Outside of NACDL she is active with other organizations. She is the current Vice-President of the Association of Black Woman Lawyers of New Jersey, a trustee for the Cumberland County Barr Association where she is also the Co-Chair of the Diversity Committee. She is a Founding Board Member and Chait of the Board for Dream Catchers of Gouldtown, a non-profit that works with youth and young adults to help them create life plans and go after their dreams. In June of 2024 she was appointed to the Governor’s Clemency Advisory Board by NJ Governor Phil Murphy.
On December 29th, 1998, her brother Robert “RJ” Jones was murdered. This was a life-changing experience for JoEllyn. She currently works alongside of her brother’s shooter speaking on the topics of Forgiveness, Gun Violence and Restorative Justice. She is passionate about creating a fair and just legal system as well as safe communities.
