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. As a VLJ PRIDE Name Change Program client offered:
“I have never had a true connection with my birth name. No one calls me by that name and it always felt a bit weird seeing it on government or medical forms. So, I’ve been wanting to give my chosen name that official upgrade for a while now.
I was connected with Volunteer Lawyers for Justice through another organization. It started with a quick phone call and soon after there was an in-person opportunity to be guided through the formal application. By the end of the following week I had filed my request with the state! Having that guidance for the first step of the name change process was an absolute blessing.
Society (and particularly the country’s current political state) works so hard to tear people down, strip them of their identities, and tell them how they should be/look/act/etc. to make it more digestible for others. It’s so important that there are groups such as Volunteer Lawyers for Justice who are there to help support the individuals who are seeking to validate their identity instead of just blending in with the crowd. I am so thankful for Volunteer Lawyers for Justice for their support and guidance in this process and I can’t wait to confirm who I’ve always known I am on a more official level.”
Because how we do justice matters.
Are you an attorney looking to learn more? Then you don’t want to miss our CLE on Tuesday, June 23 that provides a practical, step-by-step guide to handling legal name changes in New Jersey. Visit vljnj.org/upcoming-trainings to register.