Celebrate Pro Bono Week 2026 with Us!
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) celebrates pro bono every day, but in honor of the American Bar Association's National Celebration of Pro Bono (October 25-31, 2026), we take time to recognize and celebrate the powerful work our volunteers make possible.
A history of pro bono worth celebrating
Founded in 2001, VLJ and its community of volunteers have spent the past quarter century harnessing the power of pro bono:
Value of donated legal services: $30.9 million
Hours volunteered: 87,565
Number of volunteers: 2,500+
Cases handled: 17,400+
People impacted: 38,000+
Clients: 13,800+
Learn while celebrating with VLJ
The Young Lawyer’s Guide to Pro Bono CLE
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM Eastern
CLE Credit: 1.1 NJ
Format: Webinar
Cost: Free
In celebration of Pro Bono Week, members of VLJ’s Generation Now Committee will share their experiences and perspectives on making pro bono work a meaningful part of a young lawyer’s practice. The panel will explore practical strategies for fitting pro bono into a busy early-career schedule, the professional and personal benefits of getting involved early, and how pro bono can help young lawyers develop valuable skills and connect with the broader legal community. Panelists will also discuss lessons learned from their own pro bono experiences and offer practical tips for getting started.
VLJ’s 25th Anniversary Pro Bono Challenge
25 Years of Service. 25 Hours of Pro Bono.
1 Mission: Ensure Access to Justice.
In 2026, VLJ celebrates 25 years of ensuring access to justice for people experiencing poverty. To honor this milestone, we are inviting the legal community, from old friends to new acquaintances, to join our 25th Anniversary Pro Bono Challenge.
By committing to 25 hours of pro bono service this year, you aren’t just celebrating our anniversary, you are protecting families from eviction, clearing paths to employment through criminal record expungement, and securing the futures of at-risk youth.
sign up to volunteer
Interested in volunteering with VLJ? Get started by completing a volunteer form.
Already a VLJ volunteer? Visit our pro bono opportunities page to explore current opportunities to embrace pro bono. Don’t forget, VLJ volunteers also have access to trainings and helpful resources.
Have questions about volunteering with VLJ? Email Emerald Sheay.
learn more about vlj and the work we do
Help us celebrate National Pro Bono Week by learning more about VLJ, our programs, and why pro bono is so important.
Financial support
If you're unable to celebrate Pro Bono Week with us, consider supporting VLJ with a tax-deductible donation. While VLJ’s civil legal services are free to our clients, they are not free to coordinate.