Southern Minnesota Regional legal Services (SMRLS) is the non-profit law firm funded by federal, state and private monies to assist low income persons throughout Southern Minnesota with civil legal problems.  A critical component of our service delivery to the poor has been and is our Volunteer Attorney Program.  However, studies estimate that 80% of the civil legal needs of the poor still go unmet.  In an effort to address the unmet need and better match the legal needs of the poor with the skills and interests of the Bar in doing pro bono, we are requesting a few minutes of your time to complete the survey below.
 
The vast majority of requests for assistance that we receive fall in less than ten areas.  A large portion of these cases involve "safety net" government programs such as welfare, healthcare programs, and subsidized housing where SMRLS' attorneys have special expertise.  The rest  are in areas where other members of the Bar also practice or where a lawyer without applicable experience can handle the case with a bit of training and support 

° Rental Housing Repair and Eviction Cases: This is an excellent area to volunteer if you know your way around a courtroom and you prefer a short term commitment. Excellent "how to" manuals and training are available. An Americorps paralegal is available to help with investigation, securing housing inspections, and the preparation of pleadings for repair cases.

° Foreclosures and Contract for Deed Cancellations: Due to the sub-prime lending crisis and the downturn in the housing market, we are seeing more and more foreclosures. Experienced attorneys are available to provide support with predatory lending and other more complex issues.

° Administrative Hearing Officer: Attorneys are needed to serve as hearing officers  to conduct fair hearings of appeals of the denial or termination of federal housing assistance (Section 8 vouchers).

° Unemployment Compensation: These cases are not particularly difficult to handle.  CLE materials can be provided.  At an administrative hearing, usually by telephone, the legal issue is typically whether the former employee committed disqualifying "misconduct".

° Debtor Protection: Senior citizens and others who are being hounded by collection agencies need help dealing with creditors and collection agencies, most often by sending "cease and desist" letters and on occasion with a garnishment or repossession.  These are not people who do not want to pay their debts.

° Employment Law: Volunteer attorneys provide simple advice to workers in the meat packing and food processing industries about their legal rights through clinics and community legal education events.   Immigrants and refugees have had difficulty accessing legal help to find out about their legal rights. 

° Education Law: SMRLS' Education Law Project is in the process of expanding from St. Paul into our rural service areas.  An important component of that project is a panel of volunteer attorneys to help with special education, expulsion/discipline, and other student rights cases.

° Order For Protections: Representation of petitioner/victims of domestic violence seeking restraining orders.  This is a short term commitment with the court hearing usually held within days.  SMRLS provides a "how to" manual.

° Family Law Advice Only Panel: SMRLS' Intake Hotline refers callers with family law issues who it cannot serve to a special panel of volunteer attorneys who provide simple "how to" advice over the phone.  Special training is provided.

° Divorces and Other Family Law: This is the greatest area on unmet need.  Help in this area is always appreciated.

° Assistance with Transmitting Client Materials: Most of our clients and potential clients do not live in the towns where we have offices.  Help transmitting  paperwork by fax or email is appreciated where time is of the essence.

I would like to volunteer to help low income people with SMRLS - click here to find out how.

Click here to learn about many other volunteer opportunities & Partnerships with other organizations serving low income people with SMRLS.