Pillar of Justice - Jessica Webster, LSAP
The 2019 Legal Services Statewide Conference, Addressing Disparity: A Way Forward, was a fitting occasion for recognizing the achievements of all legal services staff, as well as a few outstanding individuals working diligently to dismantle disparity for our clients across Minnesota.
On October 24th, the statewide awards dinner provided an evening of celebration and inspiration as conference attendees and guests gathered to honor their peers. Emcees Anne Hoefgen, executive director of Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota (LSNM), and Dori Streit, executive director of the Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota (LASNEM) gamely read "shout-outs" from conference participants throughout the ceremony. The "shout-outs" idea began at the 2017 conference as an informal way for any conference participant to publicly share acknowledgement and gratitude for a colleague.
Pillar of Justice - John Keller, Office of the MN Attorney General
Pillars of Justice
John Keller, deputy attorney general with the Office of the Minnesota Attorney General, and Jessica Webster, staff attorney with the Legal Services Advocacy Project, were both presented with the Minnesota Legal Services Coalition's Pillar of Justice Award in recognition of their undeterred and exceptional work in forwarding the cause of equal justice for all.
Dawn Carlson Family Advocate Award
Anne Hoefgen presented LSNM's longstanding Dawn Carlson Family Advocate Award, open to all Minnesota attorneys, and given in appreciation of the unsung heroes of family law practice who serve low-income clients. The 2019 award was conferred on two exceptional attorneys: Meghan Maes, supervising attorney with Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services in Mankato, and Rachel Weis, managing attorney with Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota in Grand Rapids.
Dawn Carlson Family Advocate - Rachel Weis, LASNEM
Dawn Carlson Family Advocate - Meghan Maes, SMRLS
The ceremony also included applause acknowledgement of staff in various stages of their tenures, as well as a nod to State Support’s launch of the newly rebuilt LawHelpMN.org. The audience was treated to a screening of their one and a half minute video explainer on how to use the LawHelpMN Guide.