Standpoint and Mitchell Hamline Staff Honored at Minnesota Justice Foundation Awards Celebration

The Minnesota Justice Foundation (MJF) is pleased to once again host its Annual Awards Celebration in person! Join MJF at 4:30pm on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at the Campus Club at the University of Minnesota. This year MJF is excited to welcome keynote speaker Robin Maher, longtime capital defense lawyer and federal defender, former Director of the ABA Death Penalty Representation Project, and now with the US Department of Justice, Office for Access to Justice, speaking on the topic of “The Stories We Tell: Humanity and Hope in the Justice System.” MJF will also recognize the winners of their 2022 Outstanding Service Awards.

Every year since 1991, MJF has honored the work of public interest attorneys, private pro bono attorneys, advocates, and law students whose commitment to Minnesotans with low-incomes shines as a beacon of hope and embodies the very best of our profession.

This year, MJF is pleased to present its 2022 Advocate Award to Raelene Caswell, housing advocate at Standpoint. Caswell (she/her) began her work as an advocate in 2009, and as Standpoint’s housing advocate she works alongside the housing attorney to assist tenants who are victim/survivors of domestic and sexual violence in navigating housing issues. These issues include breaking a lease due to fear of violence, asserting Violence Against Women Act housing protections, and communicating with landlords. She also provides training to advocates across the state. With the team of advocates, Caswell provides legal advocacy through Standpoint’s Action Line on housing, Orders for Protection and Restraining orders, and other safety-related concerns. She provides supervision and mentorship for Standpoint’s general interns, works with the Alexandra House, responds to victim/survivors in the hospital, and provides support on the crisis line and through shelter-based advocacy. Caswell has worked with several agencies, including the Sexual Violence Center, Cornerstone, Women’s Advocates, SafeJourney, Catholic Charities, and Freedom House to provide dignified services to those seeking safety. She is particularly passionate about preventing burnout and promoting the wellness and resiliency of advocates in the field.

MJF’s 2022 Direct Service Award goes to Bradford Colbert of Mitchell Hamline School of Law. Professor Colbert is the director of the Legal Assistance to Minnesota Prisoners (LAMP) Clinic at Mitchell Hamline. The LAMP Clinic represents people who are incarcerated on civil legal issues. LAMP cases range from default dissolutions to complicated class actions. In addition to directing the LAMP Clinic, Professor Colbert teaches Criminal Law and Constitutional Criminal Procedure at the law school. While he was an appellate public defender, he argued Minnesota v. Carter before the United States Supreme Court (and lost). Professor Colbert has been awarded the William E. McGee Public Defender Award of Excellence and the Minnesota Lawyer Attorney of the Year.

Also to be honored at the 2022 MJF celebration is Private Practice Pro Bono winner Kurt W. Porter of Severson Porter Law. Law Student awards go to Marilys Solano (Mitchell Hamline School of Law), Madelyn Cox-Guerra (University of Minnesota Law School) and Kevin Green (University of St. Thomas School of Law). Register to attend the event.

Twin Cities Public Television Launches Judicial-Themed Programming In Partnership with MMLA

Beginning tonight, Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) launches new judicial-themed programming for its popular American Experience series. During September, American Experience will feature the historical journeys of individuals involved in legal affairs of the last century. From the story about the Supreme Court's first female justice, to a legendary boxer's battle to overturn a prison sentence, PBS's programming will highlight the conflicts of race, gender, and religion within the United States and Minnesota courtrooms.

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (MMLA) is a sponsor of the series, and viewers will see a special public service video about what Legal Aid offers the community during the broadcasts.

“MMLA is grateful for the opportunity to sponsor this series” said Melinda Hugdahl, Development Director at MMLA.  “It connects viewers to us, and our critical work toward equal justice for all.”

Tonight’s inaugural episode, Sandra Day O'Connor: The First, will recount the contributions of the Supreme Court's first female justice and how she both reflected and shaped an era. During her 25 years on the Supreme Court, O'Connor was the critical swing vote on cases involving some of the 20th century's most controversial issues. For more about the series starting tonight at 8:00 p.m. (most episodes will be aired more than once), see TPT’s schedule, and follow them on social: TPT - Twin Cities PBS | Facebook, Twin Cities PBS (@tptofficial) • Instagram photos and videos, Twin Cities PBS (@tpt) / Twitter.

SMRLS Receives Favorable SCOTUS Decision on Religious Liberty Rights Case

On July 2, 2021, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) received a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court in its case Mast v. County of Fillmore. The Court remanded the case of the Swartzentruber Amish community of Fillmore County to the Minnesota Court of Appeals. In the decision, Justice Neil Gorsuch noted that “in this country, neither the Amish nor anyone else should have to choose between their farms and their faith.”

Asserting his clients’ rights to religious freedom, Brian Lipford, senior leadership attorney for SMRLS’ Southeast Region in Rochester, represented the Swartzentruber Amish and saw the case through to the United States Supreme Court.

In its SCOTUS petition, the plaintiffs asked the Court to consider two questions under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act: does the government have a compelling interest in regulating the disposal of “gray water,” and, is a septic system the least restrictive method when 20 states allow mulch basin systems?

“This rejection of modern technology is critical to their way of life; if they are forced to choose between their beliefs and the farms that provide their livelihood, they will choose their beliefs,” the petition states. “That is the choice the government is forcing upon them.”

Also supporting the case was The Yale Law School’s Free Exercise Clinic, which co-authored an amici curiae brief in support of Amish plaintiffs’ challenge. “I believe the Yale clinic’s amicus brief played a vital role in highlighting the lower court’s flawed analysis and ultimately my clients’ getting relief at the U.S. Supreme Court level,” Lipford said.

MMLA and ACLU Bring Class Action Lawsuit in Defense of Homeless Minnesotans

On October 19, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (MMLA) and the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota (ACLU) filed a class action lawsuit against Hennepin County, the city of Minneapolis, heads of local law enforcement and the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board. The complaint, on behalf of seven homeless Minnesotans, asserts their civil liberties were forcibly violated during homeless encampment sweeps and their personal belongings destroyed in the process. The lawsuit seeks an immediate temporary restraining order of that misconduct, and later a permanent injunction, to stop these illegal and unconstitutional sweeps.

One of the most damaging effects of the Coronavirus pandemic is an increase in housing instability and homelessness, and public park encampments have provided an alternative to shelters that are full or present a risk of Coronavirus infection.

“In a nutshell, this case is about being evicted from one’s home. Instead of following the law, these indiscriminate and constant encampment sweeps are done without notice, without providing shelter space and without adequate, permanent housing in our community.”  said Justin Perl, litigation director with MMLA. Watch the press conference explaining the lawsuit or read more at Kare11.com.