Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

VLJ was founded in 2001 by a group of attorneys in New Jersey concerned about the limited availability of free legal resources to the poor. VLJ is a comprehensive pro bono program meeting the needs of the poor solely through the efforts of volunteer attorneys throughout New Jersey. To date, VLJ volunteers have assisted thousands of indigent persons in the community with critical legal matters such as divorce, domestic violence, special education issues, bankruptcy, evictions and more.

Counties Served:
Essex

Case Types:
Bankruptcy, Consumer, Custody, Dissolution of Marriage, Domestic Violence, Education, Housing, Juvenile, Torts

Case Restrictions:
Applicants must reside in Essex county or have a matter being heard in Essex. We will only consider accepting fee-generating cases for referral if there are no private attorneys willing to accept the case. Two of three attorneys whose names have been provided to the client by either Lawyer Referral or Reduced Fee Panel must have rejected the case. Contingency fee cases are not accepted for referral by the program. There must be sufficient time implicated in the eligible client's situation to permit referral out to a private attorney. Seriousness of the problem and consequences to applicant if assistance is denied; availability of pro bono counsel for the particular legal problem for which assistance is sought; and amount of program resources required to provide assistance in relation to total resources available.

By dialing a toll-free number, 1-888-LSNJ-LAW (1-888-576-5529), clients can access our statewide legal hotline which provides legal information, advice and referral to low-income residents of New Jersey with civil legal problems (criminal cases are referred). This service is provided at no charge but applicants must be financially eligible to qualify. The hotline handles all cases over the telephone and does not provide ongoing legal representation. All callers are screened for income eligibility prior to receiving services. All calls are strictly confidential.

Counties Served:
Essex

Case Types:
Bankruptcy, CED, Consumer, Custody, Domestic Violence, Education, Elder Law, Housing, Public Benefits, Termination of Parental Rights, Wills and Estates