News & Updates
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice is incredibly proud to celebrate Kevin Gilmore, winner of the New Jersey Legal Awards’ 2025 "Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year"!
The ACLU of New Jersey, representing themselves and 29 partner organizations, today filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of community trust policies enacted by Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, and Hoboken that limit voluntary collaboration between municipal agencies and federal immigration enforcement. The brief argues that community trust policies promote the safety, health, and welfare of all residents, regardless of immigration status.
NEWARK, NJ – Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) announces a monumental success for its annual gala, Uniting for Justice – A Benefit Celebrating Collaboration and Change in New Jersey, held this past Tuesday, October 7 at The Park Savoy Estate. The event shattered previous fundraising records, bringing in an unprecedented $783,000—the largest amount ever raised for a VLJ gala.
Congratulations to Kevin Gilmore on being named a finalist for the 2025 New Jersey Legal Awards’ Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year!
From Make the Road New Jersey - Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Yesterday, in a packed City Council meeting, Passaic tenant leaders, housing advocates, community members, and allies, pass one of the strongest rent control ordinances in New Jersey. This new ordinance stabilizes annual rent increases at 3% and eliminates vacancy decontrol, a loophole that allowed unlimited rent hikes when a unit became vacant. With this historic win, Passaic becomes just the fifth city in the state to eliminate vacancy decontrol, protecting more than 4,000 families from displacement.
On Friday, August 8, Jessica Kitson, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s Director of Legal Advocacy and a member of Freedom Network USA, was interviewed on Issues And Ideas With Chris DeBello.
NEWARK, NJ – Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) is proud to announce that Jessica Kitson, VLJ's Director of Legal Advocacy, has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking (NJCAHT). This appointment underscores Jessica’s commitment to justice and her compassionate expertise in advocating for survivors.
NEWARK, NJ — Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) announces the election of officers to its Board of Trustees, ushering in a new era of leadership dedicated to expanding access to justice for communities experiencing poverty across New Jersey. Sneha Desai, Esq., Chief Legal Counsel, Global Litigation & Employment at Stryker, has been elected Chair of the Board.
Newark, NJ — Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) is proud to announce the launch of its new PRIDE Name Change Program, a collaborative effort with Merck, Rutgers Law School, and Emanuel Lutheran Church. This initiative aims to provide free legal assistance to New Jersey residents seeking to legally change their names, with a focus on serving transgender, non-binary, and non-cisgender community members with no- and low-incomes.
