Number of North Star Pro Bono Volunteer Lawyers Continues to Rise in Minnesota

by Lindsay Davis, Access to Justice Director - Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA)

Every Minnesota lawyer should aspire to render at least 50 hours of pro bono publico legal services per year (Minn. R. Prof. Conduct 6.1).  While the total number of official pro bono hours is not tracked in Minnesota, the number of MSBA members certifying themselves as “North Star Lawyers” (those who have volunteered at least 50 hours per year) is at its highest yet with 980 for 2015.  This is an increase of 13 members over 2014.  Overall, the percentage of MSBA members certified as North Star Lawyers increased to 6.71% from 6.46%.  More significantly, the number of hours of service increased from 108,500 to 113,000. This represents a 4.1% increase in the total hours of service.  The estimated value of this service is $22.6 million. 

A recognition ad with the names of each North Star Lawyer ran in the print edition of the Star Tribune on May 5, 2016.  A similar list will run in the May/June edition of the MSBA’s Bench and Bar magazine.  To learn more and find out how you can become a North Star attorney, visit: www.mnbar.org/northstar. 

National ProBono.net Features Local VLN Attorney James Mason

View fullsize

James Mason, Dorsey & Whitney LLP

The week of April 24 was the Inaugural National Reentry Week, as part of the Obama Administration and Department of Justice’s efforts to strengthen the criminal justice system. It seems fitting that the national site ProBono.net would feature a pro bono attorney who focuses on reentry issues. Thankfully for Minnesotans, they featured attorney James Mason, an energetic and passionate Minnesota volunteer who focuses on criminal expungement work through the Volunteer Lawyers Network. Read the full story here.

Everyday Heroes: Legal Aid Service of Northeastern MN and the Volunteer Attorney Program

What happens to those seeking justice in a civil case who can't afford a lawyer? What about those threatened with eviction, dealing with child custody issues, facing bankruptcy, collection notices, or any number of other non-criminal, yet profoundly significant, legal proceedings? How do those unfamiliar with the law and court procedures navigate such difficult situations? These are some of the questions posed, and answered, in a Duluth News Tribune article about the lawyers and advocates of the Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota (LASNEM), and the Volunteer Attorney Program (VAP). These "everyday heroes" are ensuring that Northland county residents who cannot afford an attorney in a civil legal case are getting the access to justice they need.

"LASNEM and the Volunteer Attorney Program — Without these two outstanding organizations, the legal needs, in civil matters, of thousands of Northland residents would go unmet. Civil Gideon may or may come to fruition someday. Until then, we all owe a debt of gratitude to these organizations, the staff and lawyers of LASNEM, and the staff and volunteer attorneys for the Volunteer Attorney Program. Let’s all say thanks to these folks on Law Day — and maybe every day." Read the full article.

MLSC’s Inspiring Video About the Impact of Legal Aid

The seven legal services programs comprising the Minnesota Legal Services Coalition recently teamed up to adapt an inspiring video about what legal aid does for the most vulnerable in our community. The video, originally produced by Cleveland Legal Aid (CLA), tells the legal aid story in a fresh, new way. CLA encouraged programs across the county to customize the video, and Legal Services of Northwest MN, Inc. worked with the Ohio videographer to spotlight the impact of civil legal aid in Minnesota.  Please share the video far and wide, and help MLSC tell the legal aid story in Minnesota.  

VAP's Executive Director on Advocacy for Low Income Northern Minnesotans

Low-income people in northern Minnesota who can't afford a lawyer can seek access to justice through the Volunteer Attorney Program (VAP) in Duluth. VAP's executive director, Dori Streit, understands the obstacles, and her commitment is inspiring to others. In fact, she'll be honored next month with the MSBA's Bernard P. Becker Emerging Leader Award. 

"All attorneys have an ethical obligation to aspire to provide 50 hours of pro bono service per year," Streit said. "We work to make it easier for attorneys to do their volunteer work by screening clients for eligibility and keeping track of the details." Read the full story.

Dori Streit, Executive Director of the Volunteer Attorney Program