Our History & Mission
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) envisions a future in which financial circumstances are not a barrier to accessing civil legal services. Communities will be stronger and more resilient because clients are not only represented in the moment but also empowered with the tools, knowledge, and dignity to navigate future challenges. The legal system itself will be more equitable and just. In this vision, VLJ stands as a leader in mobilizing volunteers, developing innovative service models, and advancing systemic reforms to reduce poverty and close racial, social, and economic equity gaps.
Vision
Rooted in the belief that justice is a right, not a privilege, we envision a New Jersey where people experiencing poverty have equal access to justice.
Mission
Partnering with volunteers, we deliver free civil legal help that protects rights, expands opportunity, drives economic mobility, and strengthens communities.
Theory of Change
VLJ believes that access to free legal services has the power to change the lives of people experiencing poverty. Through partnerships with pro bono volunteers and community organizations, VLJ aims to empower individuals and expand access to justice in New Jersey. As more people achieve just outcomes, families grow stronger, communities become more stable, and the legal system becomes more equitable.
Principles
Excellence. We are committed to the highest standards of professionalism and effectiveness in our advocacy, operations, and relationships.
Collaboration. We value and invest in our staff, volunteers, and partners to strengthen access, amplify impact, and advance justice.
Empowerment. We help individuals and communities build dignity, knowledge, confidence, and tools to advocate for themselves and create lasting change.
Innovation. We embrace growth, continually utilizing reflection and creativity to improve our service and adapt to emerging needs.
Integrity. We act with honesty, transparency, and accountability, upholding the trust placed in us by our clients, volunteers, funders, and community partners.
VLJ’s Strategic Plan for 2026-2030
2001 - 2026
Celebrating 25 Years of Access to Justice
In 2000, Susan Feeney (McCarter & English, LLP), Michael Griffinger (then Gibbons, Del Deo, Dolan, Griffinger & Vecchione, becoming Gibbons P.C. in 2007, and now FBT Gibbons LLP), and Maureen McCully Winograd (Essex County Bar Association) saw the legal services offices in Essex County were overwhelmed with requests. Recognizing the untapped resource of the private bar, the trio hired Karen Sacks to investigate and develop the framework for a pro bono model that would work in Essex County. After a year, Karen and her advisory committee had obtained enough funding, developed an infrastructure, and recruited sufficient volunteers to form “Volunteer Lawyers for Justice”. Karen was hired as VLJ’s founding executive director, where she had a remarkable 17-year tenure growing VLJ from a grassroots organization to an award-winning statewide pro bono leader. o an award-winning statewide pro bono leader.
At the start, VLJ aimed to address the unmet civil legal needs of individuals with no- or low-incomes in Essex County. Initially operating as a program of the Legal Services Foundation of Essex County, VLJ focused on housing, consumer, family, and education law cases, assigning them to volunteer attorneys. Despite early challenges in institutionalizing pro bono culture in law firms and garnering support from funders unfamiliar with civil legal pro bono efforts, VLJ achieved significant milestones, including influencing court rules that expanded the pool of potential volunteers, partnering with law firms and corporate legal departments, and expanding services statewide.
Today, under the leadership of Executive Director Cathy Keenan, VLJ remains dedicated to its mission of ensuring access to justice for those experiencing poverty, taking cases and changing the lives of thousands of New Jerseyans every year while harnessing the pro bono power of hundreds of volunteer attorneys and non-attorneys. The organization's success is attributed to the inspiration drawn from clients’ resilience and hope as they confront challenges from landlords, abusers, traffickers, creditors, and others in their pursuit of justice.
At VLJ, collaboration is key and we make a much larger impact because of our community of supporters, who help us to “Take Cases and Change Lives” every day. Please get involved with the exciting work taking place at VLJ by volunteering, donating, signing up for our newsletter, or following us on social media.