Veterans Legal Program
If you are looking for free legal help in New Jersey for a veteran, please click here.
The Veterans Legal Program serves veterans throughout New Jersey.
VLJ’s Veterans Legal Program is a lifeline for veterans who are struggling with civil legal issues. Reentry into civilian life can be a difficult one, and unfortunately, some veterans develop legal issues that only make matters worse. Volunteers work in teams of two or three to meet with veterans and conduct a holistic legal intake to determine what issues are holding them back. Volunteers then provide advice and resources for those when legal relief is possible. In addition to the legal clinic, the Veterans Legal Program is always seeking volunteers who are able to provide additional assistance to veterans who qualify for ongoing assistance with their legal needs.
Court/Docket: Varies; a number of legal issues are screened and handled through this program
Format: Virtual Clinic via Zoom or Remote advice and representation opportunities
Volunteer attorneys work in teams of two or three to meet with pro se litigants and conduct a holistic intake to help identify any legal issues the client is facing, develop an action plan to prioritizing which issues are most pressing, gather additional information when clients can be served by other VLJ programs, and, when necessary, refer clients to other social services agencies.
Time Commitment: Virtual Clinic (3 hours); Cases requiring remote representation (~ 3-12 hours)
Experience NOT Required: No prior experience is required to volunteer for the legal clinic. If you are interested in providing extended service to a veteran to resolve their civil legal matter, through remote representation, no experience is required although you will be required to review VLJ’s training materials on the topic before accepting a case.
Training Available: VLJ has training materials (written & video) on expungement, driver’s license restoration, child support, divorce, estate planning, landlord/tenant, consumer debt and bankruptcy—and other legal issues that veterans commonly need assistance with.
Mentoring: A VLJ staff attorney is present at all legal clinics to provide assistance and support to new volunteers. VLJ will also try to secure a mentor for volunteer attorneys who take pro bono cases with VLJ.
How to sign up?
If you work at BASF, Bressler, Gibbons, McCarter & English, McGuire Woods, Nukk-Freeman, Panasonic, PSEG, Prudential, or Reed Smith , please talk to your pro bono coordinator about how to get involved.
For all other volunteers, please complete VLJ’s Volunteer Form (click or tap the button below).
VLJ’s Veterans Legal Program is made possible by generous support from PSEG and the PSEG Foundation.