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Volunteer Lawyers for Justice provides free civil legal services to people who cannot afford an attorney.

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Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s volunteers help us ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty.

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Access to justice takes time, talent, and resources. Your support makes Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s work possible.

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Rooted in the belief that justice is a right, not a privilege, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) envisions a New Jersey where people experiencing poverty have equal access to justice. Partnering with volunteers, we deliver free civil legal help that protects rights, expands opportunity, drives economic mobility, and strengthens communities.

In 2025, VLJ handled 2,062 cases, reaching 4,943 individuals, including 1,807 children. This record-breaking level of service was made possible by 24 experienced staff members and 600 committed attorney and non-attorney volunteers, who donated more than 6,700 hours of service valued at over $2.1 million.

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How We Do Justice Matters - Making One's Identity Official

There is power in a name and there is power in pro bono. At Volunteer Lawyers for Justice, we harness that power to help neighbors and community members in New Jersey legally change their names. What may seem like an administrative process can be an incredible part of someone’s journey.

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Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Awarded $350,000 Grant to Combat Eviction Crisis in Essex County

NEWARK, NJ — Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) is pleased to announce it has been awarded a $350,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs for its Tenancy Program. The funding, provided through the 2025/2026 Omnibus Eviction and Homelessness Prevention (OEHP) grant, will support legal services for Essex County tenants from April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027.

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How We Do Justice Matters - Opening Doors Through Second Chances

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice believes access to free civil legal services has the power to change lives. As more people achieve just outcomes, families grow stronger, communities become more stable, and the legal system becomes more equitable. This is especially the case when neighbors are able to expunge criminal records, opening doors once thought closed.

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thank you to our GENEROUS SUPPORTERS

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice thanks the firms, companies, and organizations that provide financial support to our programs. You make our work possible.