25 Years of Service. 25 Hours of Pro Bono. 1 Mission: Ensure Access to Justice. Take VLJ’s Anniversary Volunteer Pledge.
April 21, 2026
Authored by: Emerald Sheay
Emerald Sheay
With 2026 in full swing, all of us at Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) are reflecting on the incredible past year of pro bono made possible by our community of volunteer attorneys. While the new year means another year of ensuring access to justice, it also marks a milestone in VLJ’s history: our 25th anniversary, and as with any VLJ celebration, you’re invited! We are excited to announce our 25th Anniversary Pro Bono Challenge in honor of a quarter-century providing free civil legal services. Read to discover how donating 25 hours of pro bono this year can fulfill your professional obligations while supporting the rule of law in New Jersey.
A Quarter-Century of Service, Growth, and Community
From its humble beginnings in 2001 as a grassroots organization operating only one legal program, VLJ relied on volunteers from the private bar to meet clients’ needs. 25 years later, VLJ has over 600 active volunteers, nine legal programs, and 25 staff members. We are immensely grateful for the work we have accomplished alongside you, our volunteers. This partnership is most visible in the thousands of legal matters you handled and lives you touched with your generous donation of time and talent. VLJ’s 25th anniversary is as much your celebration as it is ours, and we look forward to the next 25 years of mobilizing New Jersey’s compassionate legal community.
Pro Bono Engagement: A Professional Responsibility and a Public Good
Not too many New Jersey Supreme Court cases have had as much impact on the legal profession in the Garden State as does Madden v. Delran Tp: lawyers who practice in the New Jersey have the professional obligation to undertake pro bono. In practice, this means New Jersey licensed attorneys are placed onto a roster for mandatory pro bono representation in their county of residence. However, attorneys can claim an exemption from this obligation by completing 25 hours of pro bono service through an approved legal services provider. Commonly known as the “Madden Exemption,” fulfilling your ethical obligations through an organization like VLJ gives you more autonomy and direction in your pro bono efforts. Even more, volunteering with VLJ provides layers of support, such as screening of prospective clients, primary malpractice insurance coverage, and mentorship from staff attorneys during your pro bono engagement.
There are many good reasons to maintain a pro bono practice outside of the Madden requirement. Pro bono provides new attorneys with the opportunity to develop skills such as legal writing, client interaction, trial experience, and case management earlier in their careers than could be traditionally expected. Hitting home the importance of pro bono, 80% of firms across the world now factor pro bono into their review processes (up from 78% in 2022). Attorneys aren’t the only ones to benefit from pro bono: firms can receive positive recognition for their pro bono work, standing out as stewards of the law and the communities where they reside. Here at VLJ, we never miss an opportunity to champion and cheerlead our dedicated law firm partners.
Most importantly, pro bono serves to ensure access to the civil legal system where there remains a steep justice gap. Recent estimates show there are only 2.8 civil legal aid attorneys for every 10,000 people experiencing poverty. Making matters worse, there is generally no right to an attorney in civil matters. Without legal help, those without the funds for a private attorney are left unable to effectively assert their legal rights.
A fair justice system is the backbone of any stable democracy, but it only works when everyone, no matter their economic means, competes on a level playing field. VLJ and our volunteers help fill this critical need for New Jerseyans with no- and low-incomes.
VLJ’s Most Urgent Legal Needs
The demand for civil legal services has never been higher in the face of the rising cost of living, cuts to public benefits, and housing instability. From keeping families stably housed to helping veterans rebuild their futures, VLJ’s programs are designed to address the most urgent legal needs in New Jersey. Your volunteer hours go directly to communities historically underserved and underresourced, providing legal assistance where it matters most, with the following being our most in-need volunteer programs:
Keeping Families Housed - Eviction Defense. Essex County has the highest eviction rate in New Jersey, exacerbated by the ongoing post-pandemic housing crisis and financial instability. VLJ holds weekly limited-scope legal clinics to advise tenants facing eviction. Attorneys may also take an eviction case for extended representation. This can be a powerful gamechanger for neighbors and community members at risk of losing their homes.
Building Futures Through Second Chances - Criminal Record Expungements. Did you know on average, people see a 20% increase in wages within one year of receiving an expungement? Criminal record clearing provides recipients with transformative opportunities in their employment, housing, and education. VLJ operates a monthly legal clinic for volunteers to provide initial expungement eligibility screening, while expungement matters are always available for extended pro bono representation.
Restoring Stability - Debt Relief. Consumer debt continues to rise nationwide, disproportionately impacting households with limited incomes and leaving many vulnerable to aggressive collection tactics, wage garnishment, and mounting financial stress. Volunteers have an opportunity to provide representation to individuals pursuing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. VLJ also holds a monthly legal clinic to screen bankruptcy candidates and to advise pro se litigants facing consumer debt matters in Special Civil Part.
Protecting Children - Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. The increased risk of deportation impacts families across New Jersey, and sadly, children often bear the brunt of it. Immigrant children who have lost one or both of their parents may be eligible for a special pathway to citizenship known as “SIJS.” Volunteer attorneys can prepare a family court petition for “SIJS,” which is typically granted without the necessity of a hearing. With thousands of children on the waiting list for services, this is a particularly meaningful pro bono effort with significant, long-term benefits for at-risk youth.
Legal Affirmation – Proudly Claiming One’s Name: Volunteer attorneys support VLJ’s PRIDE Name Change Program by preparing and filing name change petitions for community members seeking a legal name change. This can include trans, nonbinary, and non-cisgender individuals pursuing a gender-affirming name change. While the process seems straightforward for lawyers, it can feel overwhelming to those unfamiliar with the justice system. Name changes are a particularly great venture for early career lawyers looking for client interaction and experience drafting pleadings, with the added benefit of no adversary on the other side.
Achieving the 25-Hour Pledge: Manageable Opportunities
We know attorneys are busy. Between personal and professional commitments, time can feel fleeting. Being mindful of the demands on your time, we created a plan that makes donating 25 hours in 2026—less than 2 hours per month—achievable. See below for a structured plan on how to meet your goal hours through a variety of pro bono service models.
| Activity | Time per Unit | Units to 25 Hours | Notes & Commitment Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attend a Legal Advisory Clinic (Remote or In-Person) | 3 Hours | 6 Clinics | Legal clinics operate under the following programs: Debt Relief, Divorce, ReLeSe, Tenancy, and Veterans Legal Program. |
| Expungement Case Representation (ReLeSe) | 12.5 Hours | 2 Cases | Full representation on an expungement petition, a limited-scope civil matter. |
| SIJS Case Representation (Children’s Representation Program) | 12.5 Hours | 2 Cases | Full representation on a family court petition for SIJS findings, a limited-scope family matter. |
| Estate Planning | 5 Hours | 5 Clients | Draft a will, power of attorney, and/or advance medical directive for a senior or veteran. |
| Family Law Consultation (Divorce & Veterans Programs) | 1 Hour | 25 Sessions | Limited-scope consultation to assist pro se litigants in drafting motions for child support modification, notices of proposed final judgment, or other needed documents. |
| Mentorship Support (Case Review) | 1 Hour | 25 Sessions | Provide guidance or help to newer attorneys with complex legal questions. |
Call to Action: Our Next 25 Years Starts with Your Pledge
Please join us in celebrating VLJ’s 25th anniversary and commit to donating 25 hours in 2026.
Feeling inspired and ready to get started? Take the VLJ 25-Hour Pledge Today! Rest assured, VLJ continues to provide training materials, mentorship, and primary malpractice insurance for our volunteers as they work on VLJ cases. Once you have signed the pledge, please review our available pro bono opportunities.
For questions about available cases, clinics, or innovative ideas to meet your 25-hour pledge, please email Emerald Sheay at esheay@vljnj.org. As always, an immense thank you to New Jersey’s legal community for partnering with us since day one. Cheers to the next 25!