VLJ, Marking 20 Years, Honors AG Lynch, Sacks

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Celebrates 20 Years, Honors Loretta Lynch, Merck and Karen Sacks Karen Sacks, VLJ founding executive director

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice drew some 600 supporters on Oct. 20 at its 20th anniversary and annual "Arts & Eats for Justice" gala, held virtually, and raised $700,000, the Newark-based organization announced. Three honorees were recognized for their contributions to the cause of justice: former U.S. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch, pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. Inc., and Karen Sacks, VLJ's founding executive director. Sacks was presented with the "Community Vision Award." "Spending a year creating VLJ in 2000 with a group of visionaries and serving as Founding Executive Director for 16 years is and always will be my

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Celebrates 20 Years, Honors Loretta Lynch, Merck and Karen Sacks Jennifer Zachary, Merck Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. [Photo Credit: @2015 Bill Bernstein.]
professional and personal pride of joy," Sacks said in accepting the award, according to VLJ's announcement. "When we first conceived of this organization, we hoped but could not have imagined that we would be celebrating VLJ's 20th Anniversary with hundreds of volunteers and supporters. VLJ has impacted the lives of tens of thousands, and I am so proud to have played an integral role." The "Partner in Justice" award went to Merck, VLJ's longest-standing corporate partner, which first volunteered to provide essential legal services to victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The award was accepted by Merck executive vice president,
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Celebrates 20 Years, Honors Loretta Lynch, Merck and Karen Sacks Loretta E. Lynch, former U.S. Attorney General

general counsel and corporate secretary Jennifer Zachary, who said, according to the announcement, "We love that we have been able to partner with VLJ to help people truly access justice. … The thousands of hours we've dedicated to providing legal assistance to communities throughout the world wouldn't be possible without partners like VLJ." The "Champion of Justice" award went to Loretta E. Lynch, who served as U.S. attorney general from 2015-2017 and is now a partner at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. Lynch said, "The work that VLJ does is important because it deals with making the promise of America real for those who only seem to bear the burdens of America. For 20 years, VLJ has been a guide for so many facing housing, food and economic insecurity." VLJ provides free civil legal services in nine pro bono programs to people experiencing poverty.