We need volunteer lawyers in the following areas: family law, mediation, debt collection defense, bankruptcy, landlord/tenant, real estate, guardianship/conservatory and wills. Lawyers are needed to provide advice, short legal services such as filling out forms, representing courts and legal aid clinic staff to eligible clients. Lawyers are also needed to give presentations on legal topics to community members and to mentor new pro bono lawyers. Lawyers are free to choose the number and type of cases they wish to accept. If you are looking for legal assistance, please call our new client number to request services. The new customer acceptance line is open Monday to Thursday from 8:30 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 16:30 and Friday from 8:30 to 12:00. Programs that provide legal advice and/or representation to low-income individuals who need assistance in day-to-day legal matters, usually in the areas of bankruptcy, housing, public benefits, family law, elder law, or immigration or naturalization. Programs that provide support to those involved in disputes or legal actions that affect their family relationships. Free civil legal aid for:* Recovery and unjustified loans* Disability* Divorce and custody* Domestic violence* Elder abuse* Discrimination and deportations on the way home* Immigration and citizenship* Tax matters from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) legal aid program, which provides legal advice and/or representation to low-income people, typically in the areas of disability law, Family Law Central Minnesota Legal Services provides civil law services to low-income individuals in 21 counties in central Minnesota. Its mission is to “advocate for access to the civil justice system for low-income people by providing quality legal services and improving the lives of people living in poverty by building self-advocacy skills through legal education.” Clients receive free legal services, unless legal fees are incurred, which cannot be cancelled.
The SMLC assists eligible clients through direct representation, brief advice and participation in municipal legal education programs. CMLS provides support in the areas of family law, housing, government benefits, consumer law and labour law. Our attorneys, staff and volunteers handle civil cases free of charge for Minnesota`s most vulnerable people. With expertise and compassion, we work to provide fundamental legal protection so that our clients can achieve safety, autonomy and access to opportunities. In addition to direct legal representation, we work with policy makers and advocate for equal rights and protection of the law. Programs that provide legal assistance to immigrants, nonimmigrant visa applicants, refugee claimants, and lawful permanent residents seeking naturalization. Services are typically provided by non-profit immigration law firms and may include information and advice on benefits under immigration law, including procedures for obtaining student, visitor, and employment visas; family immigration; asylum status; lawful permanent resident status; or citizenship. Connect with financially eligible low-income clients on a wide range of civil law issues by attending legal clinics and full representation opportunities in west-central Minnesota.
Free or low-cost legal services help people who cannot afford a lawyer access the court system. Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid provides free civil justice services to low-income individuals in central Minnesota. Staff assist clients with a variety of legal issues. Services range from informing clients of their rights to representing clients on their behalf and representing clients in court. Programs that provide support to individuals who have cases of violations of federal and state laws that govern sales and lending practices involving consumer products, in situations where appeals to consumer complaints organizations have not resolved the issue. Consumer law cases concern misleading or unscrupulous advertising and sales practices, product quality, credit financing and reporting, debt collection, leasing contracts and other aspects of consumer transactions. Sign up to receive stories and updates from Legal Aid. We love making new connections in the community (and we promise not to overwhelm your inbox)! The Central Minnesota Legal Services (CMLS-VAP) volunteer lawyer program in the Willmar area includes court appearances in Big Stone, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Meeker, Renville, Swift, Yellow Medicine and Wright counties.