The MSBA’s Legal Assistance to the Disadvantaged Committee celebrated its 35th anniversary on May 2. Since its inception, the committee has been at the forefront of access to justice policy work in Minnesota. Most recently, in April the committee successfully passed a proposal for the MSBA to fund a pilot program for a statewide panel […]

On April 21, the MSBA awarded four outstanding legal aid and pro bono practitioners with the Bernard Becker Award at the MSBA Assembly meeting. From left to right: Elsa Marshall, Legal Services State Support;  Jessica Grady Federico, Mitchell Hamline School of Law; Luke Grundman, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid; and Martha Delaney, Volunteer Lawyers Network.

Volunteering has never been so easy. With Minnesota Legal Advice Online (MLAO) (www.mnlegaladvice.org), you can help increase access to justice for all Minnesotans on your schedule. MLAO is a virtual legal clinic: Low-income clients sign up and post a question, and volunteer attorneys provide legal advice online. It works just like an email conversation. You […]

An MSBA delegation visited Washington in April for the annual ABA Day on the Hill, a time to lobby Congress to support Legal Services Corporation funding for civil legal aid programs around the country. This year’s efforts are particularly urgent because President Trump has proposed completely defunding LSC. The MSBA Assembly passed a resolution in […]

At its April meeting the MSBA Assembly heard from Ken White and Susan Weins, co-chairs of the Alternative Legal Models Task Force. The task force presented two recommendations: 1) that the MSBA adopt the British Columbia model where specifically trained or experienced paralegals may be provided additional responsibilities, to serve clients at a reduced cost; […]

“The MSBF Impact Grant has made a tremendous difference in the lives of trafficked victims by supporting Standpoint to provide victim-centered legal advice and consultation.” – Rana Alexander, executive director, Standpoint The MSBA’s Minnesota State Bar Foundation exists for the express purpose of providing monetary grants to community and law-related programs and activities. We focus […]

The MSBA has submitted a request to appear at a public hearing, along with summary comments, to the Supreme Court’s Advisory Committee on the General Rules of Practice. The Court Committee solicited input regarding a petition to amend Rule 10 of the General Rules of Practice, which addresses recognition of tribal court orders and judgments. […]

As you may have heard, the MSBA renewed its relationship with Fastcase effective January 1, 2017. Through this partnership, the MSBA is able to offer members free legal research (a savings of almost $1,000 annually). According to a recent survey conducted by Clio, Fastcase is the number two legal research tool in the market, trailing […]

Editor’s note: The state ADR Ethics Board—which, to be clear, is not an MSBA-affiliated body—has asked for our help in publicizing a statement they have released concerning the practice of some neutrals of limiting a party’s input on disputes when the party’s financial obligations to the neutral are delinquent. That statement follows: “As members of the […]

The MSBA’s top legislative priority during this budget year at the state Capitol is helping to secure adequate funding for the justice system: the courts, public defenders, and civil legal services. All three parts of the justice system are seeking funding increases to help meet the challenges they face and perform the critical services they […]