VLJ’s mission is to ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty. In 2024, VLJ’s work impacted nearly 4,500 people—including 1,661 children—and 664 volunteer attorneys donated $2.16 million in free legal services.

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VLJ April 2025 Defender of Justice: Jessica Kitson

When Jessica Kitson joined Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) in 2014 as a Managing Attorney, her early work focused on launching the New Jersey Trafficking Victims Legal Assistance Program (now New Jersey Survivors Justice Project). Fast forward to today, and Jessica has become a national expert on legal services for survivors of human trafficking and now serves as VLJ’s Director of Legal Advocacy—overseeing all of the organization’s legal and policy work with the same passion, energy, and heart that’s made her a cornerstone of the VLJ team for over a decade.

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A Call to Action From VLJ — Help Clear Criminal Records During Second Chance Month

This week, for over 25 hours, our nation listened to the words—and pleas—of New Jersey’s senior United States Senator, Cory Booker. Senator Booker called on champions to rise and act, warning of grave and urgent danger to our democracy and constitutional principles. Senator Booker is no stranger to Volunteer Lawyers for Justice, having helped launch ReLeSe, our Reentry Legal Services Program, in 2007 while serving as then-mayor of Newark. His words are particularly meaningful in light of April being Second Chance Month.

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How We Do Justice Matters - A Veteran’s Journey to a Fresh Start

Brenton is a former U.S. Marine who connected with Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) when seeking assistance with several legal matters. Among them was a criminal record that had been holding him back for decades. Brenton’s journey toward clearing his criminal record began in April 2024 when he attended VLJ’s Veterans Legal Clinic. Initially, Brenton sought guidance on a separate legal concern but also expressed interest in expunging his record.

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