In recognition of our annual Arts and Eats for Justice Gala, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice received letters of support from Senator Bob Menendez and Governor Phil Murphy. We are grateful to have the support of our representatives.
Congratulations McCarter & English
Fourth Annual Summer Soiree
Good News: Expungement Campaign & Vacatur Success
VLJ Welcomes New Board Members
New Jersey Residents Should Grab Camera and a Watertight Bag to Avoid Disaster-Related Legal Issues
As the extreme weather season begins, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, and other natural disasters threaten to bring myriad civil legal problems for New Jersey residents, from accessing critical disaster assistance to securing temporary housing to handling insurance claims. Volunteer Lawyers for Justice will be there to provide advice and assistance but residents should act now to ensure that they have accessible documents and pictures of them and everything in their home before a natural disaster arrives. A few simple actions can help to avoid legal problems later.
NJ community celebrates honorees at annual Arts & Eats for Justice gala
The event will start at 5:30 p.m. on November 14 at the Valley Regency in Clifton. Arts and Eats for Justice is a celebration of how VLJ staff, volunteers, funders, and community partners work together to transform the lives of low-income and vulnerable clients in New Jersey. Honorees are selected for their commitment to VLJโs mission. Click to see who weโre honoring this year!
VLJ Receives 2018 Jefferson Award Medallion
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice has received the 2018 Jefferson Award Medallion in the Volunteer Group category for outstanding work benefiting the community. The Jefferson Awards were established in 1972 as the official recognition program of the United States Senate. They are considered Americaโs highest honor for public service and volunteerism. โWe were so honored to be nominated for this award by our Board Chair, Susan McGahan, a steadfast supporter of justice.โ
VLJ In the News: The Long Road Home, a Report on the Recovery Process after Superstorm Sandy
VLJ contributed to a recent report on the challenges of the recovery process after Superstorm Sandy. The report, โThe Long Road Home,โ analyzed the results of a survey taken by over 500 Sandy survivors found that 22% of respondents were still out of their homes at the time of the survey; that 77% of respondents either did not have enough money to finish rebuilding their homes; and that more than 70% of respondents had developed new physical or mental health problems or a worsening of pre-existing health conditions since Sandy.
VLJ Welcomes Four New Board Members
Second Annual JUST ONE Campaign Highlights Legal Community Generosity
Second Annual Summer Soiree Success
Volunteer Lawyer for Justiceโs second annual Summer Soiree was a huge success, raising awareness and funding for VLJโs Childrenโs Representation Program (CRP). Hosted by VLJโs Generation Now Young Professionals Committee, the event was attended by almost 100 professionals at the Essex Fells Country Club on June 8, 2017 and featured an impassioned speech by exemplary volunteer Michael Malia.
Introducing the Veterans Legal Wellness Clinic and Tenancy Clinic
VLJ is excited to announce two new legal programs this year. The Veterans Legal Wellness Clinic is the first legal services clinic to be held regularly at the East Orange VA Hospital; VLJ is proud to partner with the legal departments of BASF and Panasonic, as well as the law firms, Day Pitney LLP, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra PC, and McGuire Woods LLP on this ground-breaking new program. The Tenancy Clinic is our second new program and it is co-sponsored by Prudential and Lowenstein Sandler.
VLJ In the News: Why Tenants Lose When They Go Up Against Landlords in Newark
There are 40,000 evictions filed in Essex County alone โ the most in the state. VLJ helps low-income tenants facing eviction through a monthly legal clinic at the courthouse in partnership with Prudential and Lowenstein Sandler. Learn why tenants face an uphill battle in this WNYC piece featuring our clinic: http://www.wnyc.org/story/why-tenants-lose-against-lanlords-newark.
Congratulations! PSEG Receives ECBA's 2017 Bernard Kuttner Award!
PSEGโs legal department approached VLJ about starting a pro bono program to address the legal needs of veterans in New Jersey, which led to the creation of VLJโs Veterans Legal Program in 2014. Three years later, PSEGโs tireless attorneys and support staff have hosted 30 legal clinics and provided much-needed legal services to this underserved community. PSEG has demonstrated a long-lasting commitment to assisting NJโs veterans and is most deserving of this honor!
VLJ in the News: NJ Family Lawyer Magazine
VLJ in the News: Documenting Issues for Survivors of Superstorm Sandy
A Success! VLJ's 15th Anniversary Celebration
On November 14, 2016, VLJ hosted our 15th Anniversary Celebration at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ. The night was enormously successful; nearly 300 guests attended the event and helped raise over $300,000 for VLJ. In addition, BASF Corporation was presented with the 2016 Pro Bono Award (accepted by Matthew Lepore, Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer).
Success Story: Joshua & Margaret
VLJ is always in need of your support to keep taking cases and changing lives---cases like Margaret and her son Joshua's.
When Joshua was 16-years-old, he had already been retained once and his school district was seeking to hold him back again due to excessive absences.
Spotlight on Service: Delia Murphy
When Delia Murphy guides would-be litigants at VLJโs Divorce Clinic every month, itโs clear that many of her nonlegal, as well as legal, experiences trained her for the role.
Delia, who has been lending her expertise to VLJ since its inception 15 years ago, runs a solo matrimonial law practice in Bloomfield. Previously, she taught marketing part time at Saint Peterโs University in Jersey City and remains at ease in a teaching environment.