Pro Bono Report 2025

This year’s report is inspired by the Japanese art of kintsugi, through which broken pottery is repaired with lacquer mixed with gold, highlighting—not hiding—the cracks. The result is an object that is not only restored but strengthened and made more meaningful by what it has endured. That philosophy resonates deeply with our pro bono practice. Across every area of our work, we see clients under strain—immigrants navigating years of uncertainty, individuals seeking second chances after decades of incarceration, nonprofits working tirelessly with limited resources and increased demands. These cracks are not abstract. They are lived experiences. And while no single lawyer or organization can repair them alone, meaningful progress happens when we work together.

Our role, alongside our legal services partners and community collaborators, is to help fill those gaps—bringing skill, creativity, and persistence to moments where the law falls short. Whether through direct representation, impact litigation, policy advocacy, or transactional support for mission driven organizations, our pro bono work is about strengthening what exists and restoring fairness where it has fractured.

The pages that follow reflect that collective effort by sharing stories of collaboration, resilience, and incremental change—of clients who refused to give up, partners who pushed for reform, and volunteers who showed up repeatedly. Among these clients are “Jane,” an incarcerated transgender women seeking safety while in prison; “Selena,” a trafficking survivor seeking protection from persecution; BrightStreet, a nonprofit organization that works with lower-income entrepreneurs to fuel economic vibrancy in local communities; and Sammy, Christopher, and James, who rebuilt their lives during their decades-long incarceration and secured early release through their journeys of redemption and change. The report also details the many ways our partnerships help serve our clients and communities, such us our collaboration with Legal Services of Northwest New Jersey to educate veterans about the rights and resources available to them and our longstanding clinic with Prudential Financial and Volunteer Lawyers for Justice that has helped more than 500 families navigate landlord-tenant court and secure stable housing.

We are deeply grateful to our clients for trusting us at pivotal moments in their lives, to our partners in the legal services community for their leadership and expertise, and to our colleagues across the firm whose dedication makes this work possible. Like kintsugi, this work is careful, collaborative, and grounded in respect for what already exists. And like kintsugi, it reminds us that repair—when done thoughtfully and together—can create something stronger and more beautiful than before.