Category: News

Volunteer Lawyers Network is thrilled to be included as an innovative provider in the federal Legal Services Corporation‘s latest brief.

The brief, “Effective Volunteer Partnerships: The Critical Role of Pro Bono Attorneys in Eviction Defense” by Mytrang Nguyen, Caroline Shriver, Jordan Layton and Bristow Hardin, is part of a congressionally–directed study, The Effect of State & Local Laws on Evictions, to investigate the unmet legal needs surrounding the eviction crisis in the United States.

VLN’s Housing Program is one of five highlighted by the authors that “incorporate model practices to effectively run tenant-centered pro bono eviction defense programs.”

Click here to read the full brief and learn more about this vital work.

We are excited to report that the Park Avenue Legal Clinic, hosted at the Park Avenue United Methodist Church, will be resuming on Friday, Feb. 25 from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.!

This community clinic, like all our walk-in clinics, has been on hiatus due to the COVID pandemic. It will resume on the fourth Friday of every month from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 (noon) p.m. from February through October (November’s clinic will be on Friday, Nov. 18, to accommodate the holiday break).

Masks are required for all participants. If you have any symptoms of COVID or other communicable illness, or have a known exposure to COVID, please seek legal help remotely by clicking here.

The VLN Board of Directors seeks committed and compassionate members of our community to help achieve VLN’s vision of a society in which everyone has access to the legal services essential for stability and well-being.

We seek people with a wide range of skills, including strategic planning and visioning, fundraising, finance, community organizing, marketing, and human resources to join the Board. Nominees do not have to be an attorney or have volunteered with VLN. Candidates who reflect the diversity of our community and our clients, including diversity in gender, race, ethnicity, age, and sexual orientation, are encouraged to apply.

Please contact Tom Walsh via email or at (612) 752-6675) if you are interested in joining the Board or know someone you think would be a good fit.

Congratulations to outstanding volunteer Christopher Anderson on winning the 2021 Raeder Larson Public Service Award!

Christopher started volunteering with VLN as a law student, and has since taken on dozens of bankruptcy and letters to creditors cases.

“When Christopher takes a case, he immediately contacts the client and follows up with VLN,” said Chris Kramer, VLN’s Judge Nancy C. Dreher Bankruptcy Attorney. “He always works diligently with his clients to get their cases filed quickly, keeps VLN updated, and is timely in submitting closing information once the case is concluded. 

“Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Christopher has increased his commitment to pro bono and to assisting VLN’s clients,” Chris continued. “He has taken more than 16% of the all the Bankruptcy cases we have had since the COVD-19 pandemic began in March 2020.”

Thank you, Christopher, for helping VLN Make Pro Bono Happen!

Volunteer Lawyers Network will be closed from Friday, December 24 – Monday, January 3.

If you are a current client, please make sure your case coordinator has any and all information they need about your case before the break.

If you need help, please click here to fill out the online intake form or wait until Monday, January 3 at 9 a.m. to call 612-752-6677.

Have safe and joyous holidays!

Join our Immigrant Legal Services Program as a Case Program Coordinator! Put your Spanish-English skills to work for our friends and neighbors in need of legal services.

VLN offers a flexible work environment, competitive salary and outstanding benefits. See the full description by clicking here and apply today!

Happy Give to the Max Day! We hope you’ve enjoyed reading our clients’ triumphant stories on social media. Here they all are again!

There is still time to #MakeProBonoHappen with a matched gift! Click here to support VLN on Minnesota’s Giving Holiday!

Will you support our vital work on Minnesota’s Giving Holiday?

Give to the Max Day is this Thursday, Nov. 18, but giving has already begun! Support VLN with a generous gift today.

A $10,000 match from our Board of Directors is LIVE now, so every cent you donate will go twice as far!

This year, we are letting our clients do the talking. Stay tuned here and on VLN’s Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn this week to hear true stories of clients whose lives YOU changed with your support.

Finally, remember that each donation qualifies us for one of many prizes! Is this our lucky year? Are you the lucky donor?

Give today to #MakeProBonoHappen for ALL!

 

Volunteer Lawyers Network extends a heartfelt thanks to the eight lawyers from six law firms who, to date, have volunteered to file humanitarian parole applications for 41 Afghans seeking safe haven:

Lesley Guyton, Carey Thuente, and Megan Galasso (Guyton Thuente PA)
Aklilu Dunlap (Dunlap Law Office, PLLC)
Mary K. Shaw (Robichaud, Schroepfer & Correia, P.A.)
Monica Nevin (Nevin Law Office, LLC)
Matthew Webster (Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.)
Mai Neng Moua (Mai N Moua Law Office).

Of these, one of the lawyers is helping to file 17 applications, and another, nine.

Humanitarian parole is an extraordinary measure used to bring persons to the United States due to an emergency. Over 17,000 of these applications have been filed for Afghans in the last two months and, to date, very few have been processed by the U.S. Citizenship and Naturalization Service.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone in person at the 2021 Riverfront Celebration!

Our community’s safety is our highest priority. As such, the following protocols will be in place:

• Attendees are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated two weeks before the event.
• Masks will be required indoors and encouraged outdoors.
• Dinner and hors d’oeuvres will be served between 4:30-6 p.m., before the program begins.
• All food will be served in or on pre-portioned packaging.
• Indoor tables will have a maximum of 6 seats, and several small high-top tables will be available.
• There will be outdoor seating and high-top tables under the patio tent.
• There will be disposable masks and hand sanitizer available at the event.
• Finally, the event will be available via livestream for anyone not able to attend.

We are monitoring public health guidelines and governmental regulations closely and will make changes to these protocols as necessary.

Please contact Molly Whelan directly if you have any questions or concerns.

Click here to purchase tickets!