Volunteer Lawyers for Justice

????'???? ????????????! Volunteer Lawyers for Justice is looking for a passionate Staff Attorney to join our Tenancy Program: ?Make an impact by defending tenants facing eviction and fighting for housing stability in New Jersey (with a focus on Essex County). ?Work in a mission-driven, client-focused environment alongside dedicated staff and #probono volunteers. ?Enjoy a 4-day work week (yes, really!) while making a difference. ???????? ?????????? ????????-???????? ??????????????! ?? Minimum salary: $75,000 per year (commensurate with experience) + comprehensive benefits ??Hybrid position (2 days in the Newark office, 2 days at home) If you're a NJ-licensed attorney with a passion for housing justice, we want to hear from you! Learn more: bit.ly/VLJNowHiring #VLJNJ #NowHiring #LegalJobs #EvictionDefense #AccessToJustice #HousingJustice #LegalAid #FreeLegalHelp #FreeLegalServices #NewJersey

?? ???????????? ?????? ???????????? … ?????? ????????????? ???????????? ???? ?????????? ???????????? ????! ?? As we welcome the first day of spring (yes, that’s today), it’s time to mark your calendar for the event that will heat up your summer! Join Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) for our Summer Soirée on Wednesday, June 25 at the beautiful Mountain Ridge Country Club. Host by VLJ's Generation Now Committee, this will be an evening of cocktails, connections, and a cause where professionals of all ages come together to mix and mingle in support of ensuring access to justice.??? Stay tuned for more details—you won’t want to miss this summer celebration of justice! #VLJNJ #CelebrateProBono #ProBono #SummerSoirée #NetworkingForJustice #SipSocialSupport #AccessToJustice #LegalAid #FreeLegalHelp #FreeLegalServices #NewJersey Image description: Colorful save-the-date graphic for Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s Summer Soirée. The background features a vibrant, tropical sunset gradient over a golf course at Mountain Ridge Country Club, with palm leaves and flowers in the foreground. Large text reads: "SAVE THE DATE." Event details include "Summer Soirée, June 25, 2025, Mountain Ridge Country Club, West Caldwell, NJ." VLJ’s logo appears at the top with the tagline "Taking Cases. Changing Lives."

What Allison said, because access to safe, stable, and affordable housing IS access to justice. #VLJNJ #HousingJustice #AccessToJustice #A2J #ProBono #LegalAid #FreeLegalHelp #FreeLegalServices #NewJersey

?????????????????????? ??????’?? ?????????? ???????? ?????????????????? ???? ?????? ?????????? Volunteer Lawyers for Justice is proud to recognize Maria Linzmayer, Director of Quality Assurance at Merck, as our March 2025 Volunteer of the Month! Maria brings her passion for helping others to VLJ, supporting Spanish-speaking clients in our Divorce Program by providing vital translation assistance. Though not a legal professional, her impact is powerful—giving clients the courage and clarity to navigate complex legal challenges. One experience that stands out for Maria is helping a client leave a difficult marriage. “She had gathered all her strength to leave a very comfortable life for mental safety,” Maria shared. Moments like these remind us why access to justice matters. Outside VLJ, Maria volunteers with The Lions Club Allentown, NJ chapter and Riding High Farm, proving that her commitment to service knows no bounds. For her, volunteering is "a fantastic way of giving back to the local community, learning new skills, and making a difference in people’s lives who find themselves lost in our complicated legal system.” Maria also emphasizes how easy it is to get involved with VLJ, noting that “little background knowledge is required, and volunteers can determine their level of involvement based on their availability.” Maria, your dedication powerfully embodies VLJ’s mission and puts a face and name to centering compassion in access to justice. Thank you for helping create a kinder, more just New Jersey! ??Read more: https://lnkd.in/eBWzR9Hx ?????????????? ???????????????? ???? ????????????Start your volunteer journey with VLJ today. ?? Email Emerald Sheay at [email protected] or visit vljnj.org/why-probono #VLJNJ #Merck #CelebrateProBono #ProBono #AccessToJustice #VLJVolunteers #NonAttorneyVolunteer #LegalAid #FreeLegalHelp #FreeLegalServices #NewJersey Image description: Portrait photo of Maria Linzmayer, smiling and wearing a black blazer over a white top with a gold necklace. Text on the image reads: “VLJ March 2025 Volunteer of the Month – Maria Linzmayer.” Along the left side, it says “Director, Quality Assurance, Merck & Co.” At the bottom right corner is the Volunteer Lawyers for Justice logo with the tagline “Taking Cases. Changing Lives.” The background is navy blue and yellow with a wave design.

#ICYMI, last week the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender (NJOPD) announced a settlement with the New Jersey State Police (NJSP), ending an ongoing lawsuit over claims the NJSP failed to promptly process expungement orders and clear criminal records as required by law. Some important settlement highlights: ????????????? ???????????????????? ????????????????????: As of June 1, the NJSP has committed to have processed, and continue processing moving forward, all expungement orders within 120 days of receipt. In cases where possible, the goal is to complete the process within 90 days. ????????????? ???? ???????????????????? ??????????????????????: If an order requires more information, the NJSP will notify applicants and their attorneys (or NJOPD if unrepresented) and prioritize processing once the required details are provided. ??????? ???????????? ????????????: Petitioners can track the status of their expungement orders, enhancing transparency and keeping them informed. ??https://lnkd.in/eJHdzfYk ??????????????? ??????????????: NJSP will release detailed monthly reports on expungement processing statistics, publicly posted over an 18-month period. ??????????????? ????????????????????: NJSP’s expungement processing will be subject to continuous monitoring and auditing. ????????????????????? ????????????????????: The case is expected to be dismissed with prejudice by September 2026, contingent on continued compliance with settlement terms. Volunteer Lawyers for Justice is tremendously grateful to the NJOPD for initiating the class action litigation on behalf of plaintiffs like those our ReLeSe (Reentry Legal Services) Program serves. Karen Robinson, Managing Attorney of VLJ’s ReLeSe Program, remarked, “Our expungement petitioners have waited months, sometimes years, to reap the full benefit that expungement relief provides. An online portal to view the status of their case gives petitioners access to critical information, and the timely processing of final orders ensures they have access to justice.” ??For more: https://lnkd.in/eTTjbtrF #VLJNJ #NJOPD #Expungements #AccessToJustice #ProBono #LegalAid #FreeLegalHelp #FreeLegalServices #NewJersey

???????????????? ???????????? ???? ??????????????—?????? ???????? ?????? ???? ???????? ?? On St. Paddy's Day, when all is green, From shamrocks to rivers, a festive scene, The leprechauns dance with joyful cheer, While lawyers ponder, "How can we give back this year?" But wait! There's more to this day of cheer, Than pinches and pints of emerald beer, For justice, like luck, should be shared around, And pro bono work can make it abound! ? So, counselors, attorneys, legal minds bright, Don your green robes and join in the fight, Volunteer your skills, be a legal leprechaun, Helping those in need from dusk until dawn. ? For every case won, a pot of gold, Not of coins, but of gratitude untold, Your expertise is the shamrock's fourth leaf, Bringing hope, fairness, and sweet relief. ? So, raise a toast to St. Patrick's grace, And pledge to give justice a friendly face, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice, unite! Let's make the legal world fair and bright. ? Remember, dear friends, as you join the parade, Pro bono work is the best trade you've made, For in helping others, you'll surely find, A wealth of joy that leaves no one behind. ? Now go forth and volunteer with pride, Let justice and Irish spirit collide, For when lawyers give back with hearts so true, The luck of the Irish smiles on you too! ??Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Volunteer Lawyers for Justice! Follow the rainbow to your own pot of #probono gold at vljnj.org/why-probono. #VLJNJ #StPatricksDay #JusticeForAll #EqualJustice #AccessToJustice #A2J #LegalAid #FreeLegalHelp #FreeLegalServices #NewJersey Image description: Graphic with a background of bright green shamrocks and a rainbow stretching diagonally across the image. Text in bold reads, "ENSURING ACCESS TO JUSTICE" with "JUSTICE" in large, glowing white letters. Below, a yellow box contains the words, "THE REAL POT OF GOLD." At the top is the Volunteer Lawyers for Justice logo with the tagline, "Taking Cases. Changing Lives."

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice is proud to partner with the New Jersey State Bar Foundation on this year's Summer Associate paid internship program. So you know what that means?! We're looking for a rising 3L law student to join us this summer. The Summer Associate internship with VLJ will provide a rising 3L with the unique opportunity to engage in substantive legal work, legal research, draft pleadings and develop legal arguments, as well as the opportunity for direct engagement with VLJ clients. The Summer Associate will work on a number of VLJ programs and will have the opportunity to attend VLJ virtual legal clinics, which are held via Zoom. The internship will also involve answering phones and some administrative work. In addition to working with VLJ staff and clients, interns may also have the opportunity to work with VLJ’s extensive pro bono attorney panel. Student interns work under the supervision of VLJ staff attorneys. Compensation for this internship is $1,000 weekly for a rising 3L. We welcome students who have secured other funding as well. The internship runs for 10 weeks and is a fully remote position, with occasional in-person opportunities at legal clinics or other community events. ?????? ?????? ???? ?????? "???????? ???? ????????!" ??????????? Then visit our website to learn more, including how to apply: bit.ly/VLJNowHiring ?? #VLJNJ #NJStateBarFdn #NowHiring #LawStudentJobs #AccessToJustice #LegalAid #FreeLegalHelp #FreeLegalServices #NewJersey

Enjoy a fantastic day on the green while making strides toward justice. ????♀? At The Long Drive for Justice, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s annual golf outing, your participation helps provide free civil legal services to people experiencing poverty across New Jersey. Whether you're a seasoned golfer or just looking to support a great cause, this is an event you don’t want to miss! ?? Date: Monday, May 19, 2025 ?? Location: Essex Fells Country Club ? Tee Time: 12:00 PM Shotgun Start ???????????? ???????? ???????? ??????????, ?????? ????’???? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????? ??????????!??vljnj.org/golf2025 #VLJNJ #TheLongDriveForJustice #GolfingForGood #CelebrateProBono #ProBono #LegalAid #FreeLegalHelp #FreeLegalServices #NewJersey Image description: Graphic for Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s annual golf outing. A clipboard holds a sheet of lined paper with event details: “The Long Drive for Justice – VLJ’s Annual Golf Outing. Essex Fells Country Club, May 19, 2025.” A QR code is centered on the page with text below it that reads, “Register Now! vljnj.org/golf2025.” A pencil leans against the clipboard. In the grass, there is a golf tee holding a golf ball that says “VLJ’s Annual Golf Outing” with a logo of a golfer and stars. The background shows blue sky and grass.

What better way to celebrate #PiDay than with pies, pro bono, and pals! Many thanks to the Center for Social Justice at Seton Hall Law for having VLJ’s Emerald Sheay and Eric W. Hughes at their P(ublic) I(nterest) Day. It was heartening to speak with the next generation of social justice and pro bono superstars. #VLJNJ #CelebrateProBono #ProBono #LegalAid #FreeLegalHelp #FreeLegalServices #NewJersey

?????????? ???????????????? ?????????? ???????????????????? ??????! Behind every case, every clinic, and every critical aspect of ensuring access to justice, there are amazing legal assistants. Today, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice celebrates our three incredible legal assistants who make “Going above and beyond!” look like an understatement: Katiana Guerrier, Jill Heredia Lopera, and Carmen Obando. We are immensely grateful for the compassionate, powerful way they embody VLJ’s mission. Thank you Katiana, Jill, and Carmen! #VLJNJ #NationalLegalAssistantsDay #ProBono #LegalAid #FreeLegalHelp #FreeLegalServices #NewJersey Images description: Images are of Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s three legal assistants in celebration of National Legal Assistants Day. In the bottom right corner is VLJ’s logo in white with tagline, “Taking Cases. Changing Lives.”