FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2026
Eric W. Hughes
Director of Communications
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
(973) 233-5724
ehughes@vljnj.org
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice's 25th Anniversary Impact Report
What Does 25 Years of Access to Justice Look Like?
Since 2001, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) has handled more than 17,400 legal cases impacting over 38,000 neighbors and community members across New Jersey and beyond. This record-breaking level of service was made possible by our experienced staff and more than 2,500 committed volunteers who donated 87,656 hours—equivalent to nearly 10 years of service—valued at $30.9 million.
Those are a few of the insights you’ll read in VLJ’s 25th Anniversary Impact Report. Beginning with a modest start to innovatively responding to community needs from 9/11 to the COVID-19 pandemic, VLJ has been at the forefront of ensuring access to justice in the Garden State for twenty-five years, meaning more New Jerseyans experiencing poverty have an attorney by their side.
To those who made the past twenty-five years possible and stand with us today guided by the principle that justice is a right, not a privilege, thank you!