SJLS, Inc. is a non-profit organization created to provide quality legal representation and advocacy to low-income individuals. We seek to empower low-income individuals to access the judicial system so they will achieve the greatest possible measure of substantive procedural, social and economic justice.

Description:
We are funded by federal, state and local governments as well as grants and some private funding. We are advocates for the poor and indigent. We do community legal education and outreach on a regular basis. We provide legal advice and counsel on civil legal matters such as domestic violence, custody issues, divorce, housing, benefits (unemployment, Social Security), etc. Our Senior Citizens Advocacy Center unit handles the needs of all senior citizens ages 60 and older regardless of income on a priority basis. We also represent the farmworker population throughout the state. We may have volunteer opportunities in all of our offices - Mount Holly, Camden, Woodbury, Vineland, Cherry Hill, Pennsville, Atlantic City, and Cape May Court House.

History:
SJLS serves the legal needs of the poor and the indigent in seven counties in southern New Jersey. We are well known in all of our counties as the agency to turn to for those in need of legal advice. Volunteers have always been a vital part of our organization. (If you do not wish to volunteer but are seeking legal assistance on a civil matter, please call our toll free number 1-800-496-4570 and they will advise you.)

Contact person: Ann Gorman, Deputy Director, (phone), (email)

Address:

745 Market Street Camden, NJ 08102 (See a map)

Web Site: None specified

Directions:

Camden is our main office. For information on other locations please call 856-964-2010. Some offices are accessible by both bus and train routes. Call the above number for nearest bus/train stop and walking distances. Parking is. . . (more) For maps or information, please see http://www.septa.com/

Miscellaneous Information

Are court referrals welcomed?
	Yes

Overall Experience   
office personnel incompetent, rude, unhelpful to clients

I was not a volunteer. My husband and I were clients, or rather we needed help and still do. We were never truly clients to those attorneys. We were given bad advice that did not follow NJ Legal Statues and that was the few times we could even get an attorney to speak with us. We have at least 20 - 30 winnable cases, at least 5 of which would easily become mass tort cases. SJLS just pushed us to file bankruptcy instead of helping us. Eventually were were told by SJLS that our case was too complicated, that they don't do complicated and told us never to call them or come to their offices again. I know how incredulous this sounds but my husband and I have proof, the conversations were legally recorded. posted by homelessbychristmas on November 30, 2008