The Power of One
The billable hour is a staple of law firm economics and now VLJ is harnessing the power of one billable hour for a fundraiser marking VLJ’s 15th anniversary.
VLJ is asking lawyers at 150 New Jersey firms to donate the cash equivalent of “Just One” billable hour to help fund legal services for our low-income clients across the state.
All donors will be acknowledged as Champions of Justice on VLJ’s website, in its annual report, and in other publicity surrounding the campaign.
Law firms with the highest participation rates by the end of the campaign (on September 30, 2016) will be similarly feted, designated as a Leader in Justice, and recognized at VLJ’s anniversary gala in November.
Early signers to the campaign include Brach Eichler LLC, Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC, Gibbons PC, McCarter & English, LLP, and McGivney & Kluger, PC.
Karen Sacks, VLJ’s Executive Director, says the Just One campaign grew out of VLJ’s mission. “When our attorney volunteers give just one hour of their time, they change lives,” she says.
That can be by assisting a poor mother negotiate a payment plan with a creditor, by aiding an elderly couple who lost their home during Superstorm Sandy apply for insurance benefits, or by helping a veteran restore his suspended driver’s license resulting from unpaid parking tickets accrued while he was serving abroad.
VLJ is funded entirely through the generosity of individuals, foundation grants, and contributions from the legal community. If any attorneys want to contribute more than a billable hour, that’s fine with VLJ.