Founder & CEO | Joan D. Clay, Esq.

Joan D. Clay, Esq., is the founder and CEO of The Village Legal and Community Project. Joan has devoted half of her legal career to public interest law, utilizing her expertise to make the legal system more accessible to those who need it most.

A Chicago native, Joan holds a B.A. in Communications with an emphasis in Journalism from Loyola University Chicago and earned her J.D. from the University of Detroit Mercy. Since becoming a licensed attorney in 2004, she has been in private practice, academia and nonprofit roles.



When COVID-19 hit in 2020, she took a step back to reflect on her purpose, and The Village Legal and Community Project was born. Today, The Village provides critical legal support for individuals facing issues such as evictions, sealing and expungement, parenting time, and child support. The Village also provides free programming to entrepreneurs and youth (entrepreneurship and job readiness).

Joan deeply believes in breaking cycles, creating economic opportunities, and training the next generation of attorneys who will keep the door open for those who need it most.

Julia Zebley has dedicated her career to elevating marginalized people’s voices while challenging the criminal legal system and seeking meaningful reform. With over a decade of experience in the legal field, she has focused largely on public interest and indigent representation

Julia is devoted to fighting and reforming the criminal legal system for the sake of her community. She has previously represented low-income clients in housing, unemployment, and eviction cases; has represented incarcerated clients at all levels of the legal process; and has advised the direction of a Pittsburgh organization focused on LGBTQIA+ youth experiencing homelessness. 

Julia graduated with a B.A. in English Literature and Fiction Writing, a minor in History, and a certificate in Public and Professional Writing from the University of Pittsburgh in 2009. She earned her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in May 2013, and has been honored with the LRAP Award, the Jeanie Shawl Award, and the School of Law community service award.

Paralegal | Alyssa Rodda 

Ms. Rodda is a dedicated and hardworking paralegal at The Village Legal and Community Project. She joined the organization as an intern and has since been promoted to our full-time paralegal. Of Bolivian descent, she  and enjoys celebrating her cultural heritage, often spending time with family and friends over authentic Hispanic cuisine and music. Alyssa has also traveled internationally to assist with mission work.

She brings a strong work ethic, diverse cultural perspective, and a deep commitment to justice to her role at The Village Legal Community Project, where she is committed to serving the community with dedication and integrity. Alyssa earned her B.A. degree in Paralegal Studies, with a minor in psychology from Roosevelt University in 2024.

Development Coordinator  | Marley Wiemers

Marley Wiemers graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a B.A. in Psychological & Brain Sciences and Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies, and a minor in Anthropology. She is passionate about supporting community-based organizations and leveraging strategic communications to advance social justice.

Her experience spans mission-driven communications work with nonprofits like the Gephardt Institute and academic institutions including Washington University School of Medicine. This background, combined with her social psychology research experience and commitment to community service, has equipped her to support The Village Legal Community Project's development initiatives. With aspirations to attend law school, Marley is passionate about working at the intersection of legal access and community development.