How We Do Justice Matters

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.

How We Do Justice Matters - Getting a Veteran Back on the Road

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

Thanks to VLJ volunteer Chris Vanderwolk, a veteran client is back on the road with stable employment and brighter prospects.

How We Do Justice Matters - Taking PRIDE in Access to Justice

For many clients of Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s PRIDE Name Change Program, a legal name change is more than paperwork, it’s an act of reclamation, dignity, and survival. As a client recently shared, the journey to a more inclusive state like New Jersey can still feel overwhelming without the right support.

The Power of Pro Bono – Paying Justice Forward (Lamar)

The Power of Pro Bono – Paying Justice Forward (Lamar)

For many VLJ clients, their case represents a pivotal moment in their story, a new fork in the road leading to a better tomorrow, and for Lamar, his experience with VLJ was far more than a fork in the road, it was a circle, seeing a client come back years later to volunteer as an attorney.

How We Do Justice Matters - A Veteran’s Journey to a Fresh Start

How We Do Justice Matters - A Veteran’s Journey to a Fresh Start

Brenton is a former U.S. Marine who connected with Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) when seeking assistance with several legal matters. Among them was a criminal record that had been holding him back for decades. Brenton’s journey toward clearing his criminal record began in April 2024 when he attended VLJ’s Veterans Legal Clinic. Initially, Brenton sought guidance on a separate legal concern but also expressed interest in expunging his record.

How We Do Justice Matters - VLJ's Debt Relief Legal Program

How We Do Justice Matters - VLJ's Debt Relief Legal Program

Being sued can be scary. Being sued for a debt you don’t owe can be even scarier (and frustrating). As part of Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s Debt Relief Legal Program (DRLP), we help community members respond to debt collection actions—especially those when the debt isn’t owed or the creditor hasn’t proved they own the debt—protecting our clients’ rights and economic security.

Because how we do justice matters.

How We Do Justice Matters - VLJ's Veterans Legal Program

How We Do Justice Matters - VLJ's Veterans Legal Program

"As the saying goes, no Marine is left behind, and VLJ and their volunteers were one of the first American organizations to have found me and helped me not be left behind.”

Because how we do justice matters.