Corporate Social Responsibility in Action: BASF’s Commitment to Veterans and Access to Justice
June 17, 2026
Written by Catherine Trinkle, Vice President & Deputy General Counsel - Regulatory, Environmental, & Government Affairs at BASF Corporation. Catherine is a member of Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s Board of Trustees and has volunteered with the organization since 2016.
Catherine Trinkle
A company’s strength is often measured by its global reach, but true impact can be felt much closer to home in the communities where its employees live and work. For BASF Corporation’s Legal Department, which is led out of Florham Park, New Jersey, corporate social responsibility is not an abstract concept; it is an ingrained resolve to strengthening communities by giving back.
In New Jersey, one of the most powerful expressions of that resolve is BASF’s long-standing partnership with Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ), an organization now celebrating its 25th anniversary of ensuring access to justice across the state.
VLJ has built a remarkable legacy over the past quarter century, mobilizing legal professionals to provide pro bono legal services to individuals who otherwise would be unable to afford them. BASF’s efforts with VLJ, particularly through the Veterans Legal Program, reflect a mutual understanding that justice should not depend on one’s financial circumstances. BASF supports this work not only because it aligns with our corporate values—being creative, open, responsible, and entrepreneurial—but because it addresses a pressing and often overlooked need: ensuring veterans have equitable access to civil legal assistance as they transition back into civilian life and beyond.
While VLJ turns 25, this partnership with BASF also celebrates an anniversary. Since 2016, BASF has proudly sponsored the Veterans Legal Wellness Clinic, marking a decade of sustained collaboration. Yet BASF’s involvement goes far beyond financial support. Legal department colleagues, both lawyers and non-lawyers, actively volunteer in legal clinics on a quarterly basis, demonstrating corporate social responsibility is most effective when it is also personal.
I remember preparing for and attending the first BASF-VLJ clinic at the East Orange VA Medical Center in 2016. Sitting at a folding table across from veterans, listening to their stories, and providing advice to start them on a path toward legal wellness was deeply moving, both personally and professionally. Although the clinic is more virtual than in-person these days, it’s still a great way for me to cross paths with those who served while using my legal skills to make a difference. Veterans have demonstrated extraordinary self-sacrifice through their service, yet many face significant barriers when they leave the military. The clinic represents an act of immense gratitude and the fulfillment of a social responsibility to help ensure veterans have access to compassionate, professional legal help.
Central to this work is the concept of “legal wellness.” Just as physical and mental health are essential to overall well-being, legal health plays an important role in an individual’s ability to build a stable life. For many veterans, unresolved legal issues such as evictions, mounting debt, child support arrears, criminal records, or driver’s license suspensions, can become invisible barriers that impede progress. These issues often compound one another, making it difficult to secure employment, maintain housing, or reconnect with family. By working with veterans to address these challenges, my BASF colleagues and I contribute to their long-term stability and success, empowering families and communities alike.
BASF’s hands-on partnership with VLJ, the Veterans Legal Wellness Clinic, and other pro bono causes has been widely recognized. In 2025, BASF received the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Mark Daniel Excellence in Pro Bono Award, an award that recognizes the exemplary pro bono efforts of corporate legal departments, honoring the legacy of the late Mark Daniel, a visionary leader of pro bono efforts at Merck (a fellow VLJ partner). VLJ itself honored BASF during the organization’s 15th anniversary gala. Stories from local publications, including the Daily Record, highlight how BASF volunteers stand with veterans to resolve pressing legal issues, underscoring the company’s substantial investment in neighborhoods across the Garden State.
Fortunately, BASF does not stand alone in either our embrace of pro bono or our capacity to drive positive, lasting change. VLJ has numerous corporate and law firm partners that share the same commitment to social responsibility. Many more companies have the ability to get involved significantly, ideally in an ongoing manner that appreciates the growing demand for civil legal services. By investing time, expertise, and resources, BASF and others can each do their part to build a more equitable legal system, one in which access to justice is not a privilege, but a fundamental right.
As Volunteer Lawyers for Justice celebrates its 25th anniversary, the impact of partnerships like the one between BASF and VLJ becomes clear. Over the years, we have shown that when globally operating companies join forces with local initiatives, transformative change is possible and powerful. Through pro bono, dedication to veterans´ legal services, and an unwavering commitment to access to justice, we are helping create stronger, more resilient communities—one client, one clinic, and one act of service at a time.