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.

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

New Volunteers

Volunteer Application Form

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 2900 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).

Upcoming Events

SMRLS' Next Onboarding Sessions for Volunteer Attorneys

Wednesday, November 13, 2024 from noon-1:00 p.m. via zoom.

Tuesday, January 14, 2025 from noon-1:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 from noon-1:00 p.m.

The onboarding sessions are open to all volunteers in all regions. The Onboarding Training will be approved for 1 Elimination of Bias CLE Credit.

If you have any questions, please email us at vap@smrls.org.

Register November 13th

Register January 14th

Register March 12th

Current Areas of Significant Need

SMRLS has an urgent need for volunteers in our Ramsey County Housing Clinic. The clinic runs every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning during the Housing Court first appearance calendar, via Zoom. Clients receive free legal advice from a volunteer attorney before heading into the courtroom. They can also apply for Emergency Assistance and work with a mediator from the Dispute Resolution Center to reach a settlement in their case. You don't need to have experience with Landlord Tenant Law to volunteer. Training is provided. Just 3-4 hours of your time can go a long way towards keeping residents of your community in their homes. Please reach out to vap@smrls.org with questions.