Volunteer

Who we are

The SMRLS Volunteer Attorney Program serves clients that staff attorneys are unable to serve, due to either capacity or subject matter. Volunteer attorneys close hundreds of cases a year and are an integral part of SMRLS’ ability to provide critical legal services in the community.

SMRLS has had a pro bono program since the 1970s. There is a volunteer coordinator for each region of Minnesota that SMRLS serves, as well as part-time support staff and a lead attorney who can provide resources and support to attorneys when questions arise on a pro bono case.

SMRLS has an urgent need for volunteer attorneys to work on uncontested minor guardianship cases. These cases are typically initiated by family members caring for a child whose parents are both deceased. Because the child doesn’t have a living parent, it is initiated as a guardianship case and not as a third-party custody case. Most people seeking help from SMRLS are eligible for fee waivers. SMRLS has malpractice insurance covering volunteer cases, as well as full-time support staff to assist volunteers.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact VAP@smrls.org

outline of person with star shape on chest and a circled plus icon in front

New Volunteers

Volunteer Application Form

Urgent Volunteer Opportunities

SMRLS needs additional volunteer lawyers to staff the Ramsey County Housing Clinic. Most cases are evictions. Because this is a limited service volunteer opportunity with a short time commitment and no experience required, it's a great fit for both senior lawyers, lawyers on Emeritus Status, and new lawyers.

What is the Ramsey County Housing Clinic?

In June of 2018, Ramsey County launched a Housing Clinic jointly run by Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) and Volunteer Lawyers Network (VLN) and staffed by volunteers. The clinic takes place during housing court initial appearance calendars, where tenants request and receive services before entering the virtual courtroom. The Dispute Resolution Center and financial assistance agencies are also on hand at initial appearance calendars to provide mediation services and access to financial assistance.

How You Can Help?

Volunteers are needed to meet with clients who are making their first appearance in Housing Court and provide legal service. You do not need a background in landlord/tenant law to make a huge difference in case outcomes and clients' lives. All necessary training is provided. Shifts are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings, starting at 8:15 am and typically ending between 12 and 1 pm. The number of tenants requesting services is very high and there are many volunteer shifts each week. Many tenants in Ramsey County pay a significant portion of their income towards rent. An unexpected financial emergency can easily put a tenant's ability to pay rent in jeopardy. This challenge often plays out in court - most evictions are filed for non-payment of rent. Volunteers ensure tenants know their rights and can access representation for negotiations. Representation usually results in a better outcome for tenants.

If you are interested in volunteering at the clinic or want to learn more about it, please contact Emily Bowen or Valerie Snyder at vap@smrls.org.

What we do

Volunteer attorneys handle a wide variety of cases, including:

Consumer: Issues with credit or creditors, consumer contracts, bankruptcy, defective goods, consumer contracts
Discrimination and Civil Rights: In housing, education, public services, including disability discrimination
Employment: Discrimination, employee rights, wage and hour issues, termination
Family: Domestic abuse, divorce, child custody, third party custody, pro se divorce clinics
Housing and Real Estate: Foreclosure, eviction defense, repair of substandard housing, fair housing, utility shutoffs, subsidized housing, contract for deed cancellation, condemnation
Probate: Guardianship, conservatorship, estate administration
Public Benefits: Unemployment compensation, public benefit payments (GA, SSI, Social Security, Food Support) and medical needs (MA, MinnesotaCare), work requirements, and criminal records expungement
Tax: Individual, federal and state

How to get involved

If you are an attorney who is able to represent a low-income client in a Pro Bono matter, you can videoconference or telephone a client to discuss the case, submit court filings, and work with them to prepare for the day that courthouses resume full operations. We also have many clients who only need legal advice to get their problem resolved. Some of the legal problems clients are now facing include debt and garnishment, contracts, landlord tenant, employment and unemployment, probate, and family law issues. This is not a comprehensive list of the opportunities to volunteer. If you are an attorney who wants to offer pro bono help in civil law or criminal expungement, we probably have an opportunity for you!

Did you know there are over 10,000 eligible clients for every paid legal aid attorney in Minnesota? Serving as a volunteer can be a very rewarding experience, while providing valuable legal services to someone in need. It also helps fulfill the aspirational goal of providing 50 hours of pro bono service annually for those who cannot pay.

Volunteer Attorneys earn 1 CLE credit for every 6 hours of volunteer work, for up to 6 credits in a CLE Reporting period. Learn more about the Minnesota Rules of Professional Responsibility 6.1 and the rules of the Minnesota State Board of Continuing Legal Education, Rule 6.D. Register for CLE credit by completing the Affidavit of Pro Bono Representation form and submitting it to attendance@mbcle.state.mn.us.

We also have volunteer opportunities for legal professionals, retired lawyers and legal professionals, and law students. We sometimes also have administrative volunteer opportunities for non-lawyers.

If you have a question about volunteering, please reach out to one of our staff members assigned to your regions.

If you are a Minnesota-licensed attorney and would like to sign up to volunteer, please fill out our volunteer attorney application.

If you are a retired attorney and have questions about applying for Emeritus status you can review the information or contact your area's volunteer coordinator.

SMRLS has malpractice insurance on cases that volunteers work on (when the case is referred from SMRLS).