Ms. Fortunato is happily married with a young son. She enjoys spending time at the Jersey shore. She loves to scrapbook when time permits. She always wanted to be an attorney because she wanted to be able to help people and make a difference in their lives.
Since 2004
2012 - Current
Virginia E. Fortunato, L.L.C.
Ms. Fortunato left her prior position to start her own Consumer Bankruptcy Firm.
2005 - 2011
Consumer Bankruptcy Firm
Ms. Fortunato joined the law firm in April 2005 just prior to the changes in the bankruptcy law which took effect October 17, 2005. She has handled hundreds, possibly thousands of bankruptcy cases, including both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases. She attened and graduated from Max Gardner's Bankruptcy Boot Camp. She has used that experience to fight mortgage servicing abuses. She continues to fight successfully for loan modifications for her bankrutpcy clients. Most recently, Ms. Fortunato has taken her experience in obtaining loan modifications in bankruptcy and is now applying that knowledge and experience in representing her clients in foreclosure mediation. Ms. Fortunato is a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA) and is a frequent lecturer for the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education.
2004 - 2005
Marie-Ann Greenberg, Chapter 13 Standing Trustee
Ms. Fortunato handled hundreds of motions for the Chapter 13 Standing Trustee, including motions to dismiss. She attended court and resolved cases with debtors and debtors' attorneys.
2002 - 2004
Rem Zeller Law Group
While at Rem Zeller she worked in the areas of criminal and immigration law. She focused on appellate law including appeals to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). One of the appeals she worked on in the Third Circuit had a favorable result when the Court vacated an order of removal and remanded the matter back to the Immigration Court for a new hearing. In another matter she was involved in, the New Jersey Supreme Court held that criminal defendants have the right to be at side bar when selecting a jury.
2001 - 2002
The Honorable Eugene H. Austin, J.S.C.
Ms. Fortunato was law clerk to the Honorable Eugene H. Austin, J.S.C. who was in the criminal division in New Jersey Superior Court (Bergen County).
1998 - 2001
J.D. | Law
Honors: Law Journal: Journal on Criminal and Civil Confinement, Managing Literary Editor
1993 - 1997
B.A. | Justice Studies
Honors: Honors: Cum Laude
