A Message from Our Executive Director: Celebrating 25 Years of Access to Justice
Cathy Keenan, VLJ’s Executive Director
Dear Friends,
Happy New Year! As we step into 2026, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and pride. This year marks a monumental milestone for Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ): our 25th anniversary. What began in 2001 as a modest effort to address the growing number of unrepresented people in Essex County has transformed into a powerful movement for access to justice across New Jersey. For a quarter of a century, your hands, your hearts, and your advocacy have ensured that poverty is not a barrier to justice.
Reflecting on 2025, I am struck by the impact of our work. Last year, our dedicated volunteers and staff worked tirelessly to prevent evictions, clear criminal records for those seeking a second chance, protect the rights of veterans and survivors of human trafficking, and many more. We ended 2025 with enthusiastic pro bono engagement, proving that the legal community’s commitment to dignity and justice is stronger than ever. Because of you, thousands of our neighbors entered the new year with greater stability and hope.
To kick off our 25th year, we aren’t just looking back—we are looking forward. I am thrilled to officially introduce VLJ’s new brand identity. This refreshed look, including a new logo and vibrant color palette, was designed to reflect the energy, maturity, modern approach, and unwavering boldness of our work. While our appearance has evolved to meet the moment, our goal remains the same: ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty. You will see this new brand reflected across our website, social media, emails, and upcoming events throughout the year.
VLJ’s new brand would not be possible without the generous support of The Tepper Foundation. They provided VLJ with access to Catchafire, a skills-based platform that connects nonprofits with coaching, technical assistance, and professional skills they do not have in-house to grow stronger, work smarter, and make a bigger impact. Through Catchafire, VLJ worked with Dolan Personke at Treeswing Studio to brainstorm, develop, and perfect our new brand. We are immensely grateful to Dolan, The Tepper Foundation, and Catchafire.
We have numerous celebrations planned for 2026 to honor VLJ’s 25 years of service, and I cannot wait to share those moments with you. Whether you have been with us since our founding in 2001 or joined our mission last year, you are the reason VLJ stands strong today. Thank you for being a champion for justice and for making the last 25 years possible. We are excited for the next 25.
Here’s to a year of reflection, celebration, and continued impact!
With gratitude,
Cathy Keenan
Executive Director
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
P.S. For questions about VLJ’s new brand, please contact Eric W. Hughes, VLJ’s Director of Communications.