Robert K. Vischer, dean of the University of St. Thomas Law School, and member of the Legal Services Corporation's leaders council, was featured in this week's op-ed section of the Star Tribune. Vischer makes a compelling case for the retention of the primary funding agency for civil legal aid by outlining LSC's measurable and meaningful contributions to individual self-reliance and empowerment, the nation's growing justice gap, and the agency's significant economic benefits for state and local governments. Read the full opinion.
Legal Services For Immigrants Strengthened by Landmark Gift to U of M Law School
On February 6th, the University of Minnesota Law School announced a transformational $25 million gift from the Robina Foundation. The grant—the single largest philanthropic gift in the Law School’s history—will fund the newly named James H. Binger Center for New Americans, establish a James H. Binger Professorship in Clinical Law, and provide Law School student scholarship support.
The gift will provide permanent financial support to the University of Minnesota Law School for the ongoing operations of the James H. Binger Center for New Americans. The Center brings about transformative change by creating a national model for the provision of comprehensive and cohesive legal services for immigrant communities through a variety of means, including improving federal immigration law and policy through impact litigation; protecting detainee rights and improving access to legal representation for refugees and immigrants; educating noncitizens about their legal rights; creating dynamic and comprehensive immigration clinics for students; and collaborating with others on immigration issues. During its four-year pilot program—supported by the Robina Foundation—the Center won a landmark case at the U.S. Supreme Court; won political asylum for clients from around the world; and won release for detained immigrants in Minnesota.
The Center has three law firm partners—Dorsey and Whitney, Faegre Baker Daniels, and Robins Kaplan—and three nonprofit partners—the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, and The Advocates for Human Rights.
Founding partners Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid have worked with the Center for the past three years with a specific emphasis on the Center’s detainee rights work. Dean Garry W. Jenkins said, “The Binger Center will leverage a unique collaboration among our clinics, prominent law firms, and respected nonprofit organizations, enabling our exceptional faculty and students to continue to work on landmark immigration reform cases for generations to come.” Read more in the Star Tribune.
HCBA Recognizes Members for Pro Bono Service
Each year, the Hennepin County Bar Association (HCBA) recognizes three attorneys who have made a significant contribution through pro bono service. The Pro Bono Publico awards are presented to lawyers in recognition of the time, knowledge, and devotion given in service to the community. Recipients of the 2017 awards are attorneys Cathy Haukedahl, Lindsay Davis, and Jonathan Bye. They will be honored at the 37th annual Bar Benefit, which will take place on Thursday, March 2, at 5 p.m. at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center.
Three distinct award categories honor the dedication of pro bono services. The Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual for career-long pro bono work on behalf of the community, and the two Excellence Awards recognize current or recent excellence in service by individuals—one from the private sector and one from the public sector. Read the full press release from the HBCA.
Study Shows How Legal Aid Secures Millions of Dollars for Minnesota Annually
The Minnesota Legal Services Coalition has released a report to inform policy makers and other stakeholders about the economic benefits of civil legal aid in Minnesota. This study, based on 2014 data, shows that legal aid programs have generated nearly $112 million in revenue. This amount is comprised of both retained and new federal benefits, protected and new non-governmental dollars, as well as avoided costs from domestic violence and homelessness.
In addition, legal aid staff attorneys spent approximately 350,000 hours on direct representation valued at $70.8 million in legal services provided to clients. In-kind revenue of pro bono representation represents nearly $33 million in donated legal time.
For every $1.00 spent on Legal Aid the return on investment is $3.94.
Legal aid provides direct service to all 87 Minnesota communities and has been a trusted provider of high-quality legal advocacy for low-income Minnesota for years. Legal aid focuses on resolving civil legal matters that directly affect the basic human needs for safety, shelter, and household sustenance.
The Legal Aid St. Cloud office, for example, closed more than 3,500 cases in 2015 on issues including consumer fraud, housing, immigration, and family law.
Saint Cloud attorney Brent Thompson and paralegal Heather Helmer worked with Andrea who had six children, ages five to fifteen, and was living in a battered women’s shelter in California after fleeing an abusive husband in Minnesota. Legal Aid told her they would take her case. Once home, a restraining order was put into place for her husband. Andrea enrolled at Bethel University, took two part-time jobs, and got her kids back in school. “Legal help at that crucial time can give people their freedom," Andrea reflects. “My life is as it should be because of the help I got from Legal Aid. There are other lives like mine out there, waiting to be changed.”
Read the full Economic Impact Report.
Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services Releases Racial Justice Report to Community
The Racial Justice Committee of Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) is proud to announce the release of its 2016 Racial Justice Committee Report to the community.
The report has three primary purposes:
- Create awareness of how SMRLS is involved within the community;
- Create awareness of the programs that SMRLS offers; and
- Create awareness of the services that are available within the community.
The Racial Justice Committee serves to welcome all clients, encourages and supports a diverse staff, and advocates effectively to eliminate barriers for persons of color and to ensure their equal access to and fair treatment by SMRLS and the legal system. Download a copy of the Report.