Volunteer Lawyers Network

VLN Core Training: Conciliation Court Basics
2025-04-28 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Remote Via Webinar, 600 Nicollet Mall,, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, United States
Details: This presentation will give you the knowledge to give advice to and represent clients in conciliation court. Topics include differences between conciliation court and district court, basic questions for all clients, and some example scenarios. Come learn how to navigate this unique venue within our court system.
Presenter: Sebastian Ellefson is the Program Manager and Resource Attorney for VLN’s Civil and Administrative Law Program. Before his current position, he was a Housing Resource Attorney at VLN and has worked for both the City of Chicago Department of Law and Cook County Court System.
Location: Zoom
Registration: Click here to register
CLE: 1 hour of CLE Credit to be applied for.

Annual Housing Law Seminar
2025-04-30 12:00 - 16:30 | Fredrikson & Byron, 60 South Sixth Street, Suite 1500, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55402
Register now at https://vln.formstack.com/forms/2025ahls

Silent Auction at the HCBA Bar Benefit
2025-05-01 17:00 - 19:00 | Mosaic Events Venue, 817 5th Ave S, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN, 55404, United States
The Hennepin County Bar Foundation is hosting their annual Bar Benefit on Thursday, May 1 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the Mosaic Venue, 817 S 5th Ave #300 Minneapolis, MN 55404. At the Bar Benefit, VLN hosts our Silent Auction, where items such as baseball tickets, restaurant gift cards, and experiences are available to bid on, supporting VLN’s work in providing quality legal services to low income Minnesotans at zero cost.
For more information and tickets to the HCBA Bar Benefit, click here.
Online bidding will be available closer to the event!

May Housing Law Chat & Chew
2025-05-05 12:00 - 12:45 | Remote Via Webinar, 600 Nicollet Mall,, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, United States
The Chat and Chew is a time for VLN housing staff and volunteers to eat a (virtual) lunch together, chat about a housing topic, and socialize with one another. This is an informal event. There are no power points, just good conversation. A VLN staff member will kick things off with a quick welcome, but the real focus is on open discussion.
On Monday May 5, 2025 at 12pm, we’re hosting an open office-hours-style Chat and Chew. Bring your questions, ideas, tricky case issues, or thoughts you’ve been chewing on. Whether it’s something you’ve encountered in a clinic shift, a housing law nuance you’re curious about, or just something you’d like to bounce off others, this is the space for it. New and seasoned volunteers alike are welcome to join in, listen, share, and connect.
As always, come for the chat, stay for the chew!

Register now: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/VIPLfEtaRJWHlajw4XXNMA

(Part 1) VLN and State Support Present: Chapter 7 Bankruptcies For Low-Income Clients
2025-05-07 12:00 - 13:15 | Remote Via Webinar, 600 Nicollet Mall,, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, United States
Volunteer Lawyers Network and Legal Services State Support present a two-part webinar on Chapter 7 bankruptcies for low-income Minnesotans.
Both sessions are presented by Chapter 7 panel trustee Mary Jo Jensen-Carter and attorney Janine Hedback. The seminar guides participants through a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing and is designed for attorneys new to the practice of consumer bankruptcy. Topics include how to conduct the initial interview; completing the petition; attending the meeting of creditors; and an overview of the schedules and creditors’ rights.
Please Note: If you intend on attending both sessions of this training, you need only register for the Zoom webinar one time.
This training is free. Registration is required. Register here.

Volunteer Orientation
2025-05-08 08:00 - 08:45, 2025-05-27 12:00 - 12:45, 2025-06-12 08:00 - 08:45, 2025-06-24 12:00 - 12:45, 2025-07-17 08:00 - 08:45, 2025-07-22 12:00 - 12:45, 2025-08-14 08:00 - 08:45, 2025-08-26 12:00 - 12:45 and 3 more dates | Remote Via Webinar, 600 Nicollet Mall,, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, United States
VLN is asking all new volunteers to participate in a 45-minute zoom orientation. This engaging and informative presentation will cover the basics of volunteering with VLN, including our different volunteer opportunities, what support we provide to volunteers, and tips for making the most of your volunteer experience.
This training will be offered twice a month. Please sign up for the day and time that works best for you.
Registration is required. Click here to register.
For questions, contact Deputy Director Muria Kruger at muria.kruger@vlnmn.org or by phone at (612) 752-6647.

(Part 2) VLN and State Support Present: Chapter 7 Bankruptcies For Low-Income Clients
2025-05-08 12:00 - 13:15 | Remote Via Webinar, 600 Nicollet Mall,, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, United States

VLN Core Training: Introduction to Merit-Screening Criminal Expungement Cases
2025-05-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Remote Via Webinar, 600 Nicollet Mall,, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, United States
Many people who are convicted of crimes in Minnesota state court suffer collateral consequences as a result of convictions long after the terms or their sentences are completed. Many former defendants find themselves denied employment and rental housing opportunities as a result of the existence of their criminal records and the increasing availability of information regarding charges and convictions available online. Volunteer Lawyers Network is currently experiencing a surge in potential clients who need free legal help determining whether and when their criminal records might be eligible for expungement. If you are interested in helping people with this all-too-common legal problem but don’t know anything about criminal expungement, then this CLE is for you. This introductory CLE will explain how you can volunteer through Volunteer Lawyers Network to advise clients regarding the basics of criminal records expungement in Minnesota, including the differences between statutory expungement, inherent authority expungement, and prosecutor-led expungement. This CLE will cover come crime-free waiting periods that former defendants are required to meet in order to be eligible for statutory expungement. The focus of this CLE will be on how Volunteer Lawyers Network operates our criminal expungement merit-screening services and how you can volunteer with VLN to help our clients!
Presenters:
Elizabeth Fowlds is the Criminal Expungement Resource Attorney and Program Manager at Volunteer Lawyers Network, a position she has held since July 2023. Prior to joining VLN, Elizabeth practiced as a public defender in Sonoma County, California; Mendocino County, California; and Hennepin County Minnesota.
Glen Drew is an attorney and the Director of Legal Programs at Volunteer Lawyers Network and previously coordinated operation of VLN’s Conciliation Court Clinic for over a decade. Prior to joining VLN, Glen was a volunteer in the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps.
Location: Zoom. Register here.
CLE: 1 hour of CLE Credit to be applied for.

June Housing Law Chat & Chew
2025-06-02 12:00 - 12:45 | Remote Via Webinar, 600 Nicollet Mall,, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, United States
The Chat and Chew is a time for VLN housing staff and volunteers to eat a (virtual) lunch together, chat about a housing topic, and socialize with one another. This is an informal event. There will be no power point presentations, but instead a brief introduction to a topic by a VLN staff member, followed by a discussion. Volunteers are encouraged to share stories of their experiences with housing cases with one another, and maybe learn a little – and of course, do some chewing too! This is casual and for all our volunteers – brand new and experienced alike!
Our June Housing Law Chat & Chew will be about mandatory expungements and the Court of Appeal case: 27-CV-HC-23-9413, Sela Investments, Ltd LLP vs. J. H.

Register now: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/mRsdez_GQA2Cnge7CvPEPA

Core Training: ID Document Corrections in Minnesota
2025-06-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Remote Via Webinar, 600 Nicollet Mall,, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, United States
Details: Join VLN’s LGBTQ+ Legal Clinic for a CLE that will cover everything you need to know to help folks through name changes, gender marker corrections on ID documents, understand the current policy landscape, and correctly identify any the common legal issues that arise. The session will also cover an introduction to skills for trauma-informed lawyering, working with trans and BIPOC clients, and the risk management concerns around legal strategy in today’s landscape. At the end of the session, you will receive written reference materials to assist you in issue spotting and correctly advising clients with potential ID Document issues.
Please note: the views expressed by the panelists are entirely their own and do not express the views or opinions of their employers.
Presenters:
CB Baga is the Public Interest/DEI Counsel at Maslon, LLP. While still in law school, CB founded the Pro Bono Volunteer Lawyers Network Queer/Trans Community Clinic in conjunction with community partners Family Tree Clinic and the Minnesota Trans Health Coalition. For over 9 years, this clinic has been striving to serve the unique legal needs of the queer/trans community in a culturally sensitive manner.
Daniel Wassim is a judicial law clerk at U.S. District Court. He was previously an associate at Dorsey & Whitney LLP.
Rocío Iglesias McKenzie specializes in legal work at the intersection of immigration law and human rights. She is also a Legislative Code attorney with Thomson Reuters and was previously a law clerk at Planned Parenthood of the North Central States. Opinions expressed are solely her own and do not express the views or opinions of her employer(s).
Brandon St. Germaine worked as a Suicide Prevention Specialist at Greater Twin Cities United Way for nearly 4 years. They have also worked with trans youth through the Trevor Project and are a dedicated peer support for fellow disabled adults.
CLE: 1 hour of CLE Credit to be applied for.
Click here to register!

July Housing Law Chat & Chew
2025-07-07 12:00 - 12:45 | Remote Via Webinar, 600 Nicollet Mall,, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, United States
The Chat and Chew is a time for VLN housing staff and volunteers to eat a (virtual) lunch together, chat about a housing topic, and socialize with one another. This is an informal event. There will be no power point presentations, but instead a brief introduction to a topic by a VLN staff member, followed by a discussion. Volunteers are encouraged to share stories of their experiences with housing cases with one another, and maybe learn a little – and of course, do some chewing too! This is casual and for all our volunteers – brand new and experienced alike!
Join us for the July Housing Law Chat & Chew, where we’ll explore the importance of having an attorney at housing court clinics! We’ll discuss how VLN’s mission aligns with the work at our Anoka, Hennepin, and Ramsey County clinics, highlight how staff step in to cover when volunteers aren’t available, and showcase the powerful impact attorneys have through advice, brief services, and full representation for clients.

Register now: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/t3hvhj__SKqVIhG2stQxRA

Core Training: Eviction 201
2025-07-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Remote Via Webinar, 600 Nicollet Mall,, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, United States
Details:
If you have been volunteering in Housing Court for a while or are just starting, this training will help you spot and work effectively on issues for the benefit of your clients. We will explain defenses to eviction actions for non-payment, breach, and holdover. We will go over the requirements to properly start an eviction action, how to read a ledger, the Fritz defense, shared meter issues, and domestic violence lease terminations.
Presenter:
Sonja Woodward is the Housing Program Manager and Resource Attorney for Volunteer Lawyers Network. She has been with Volunteer Lawyers Network, in various capacities, since 2021. Before that she was a labor attorney with California School Employees Association in San Jose, California for 20 years. With California School Employees Association, she represented school employees who were not teachers or management in their disputes with their employers.
CLE: 1 hour of CLE Credit to be applied for.
Click here to register!

State Support and VLN Present: Legal Tools for Families at Risk of Deportation
2025-07-30 12:00 - 13:00 | Remote Via Webinar, 600 Nicollet Mall,, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, United States
Details: This CLE will focus on potential actions that people who are at risk of deportation may wish to take to try to mitigate the disruption to their lives and the lives of family members remaining in Minnesota in the event of detention or deportation. We will not address immigration legal issues but rather will focus on the myriad other legal issues that someone might encounter as a collateral consequence of being taken into detention or deported. We will explore issues that people at risk of deportation may want to consider before they are taken into detention or deported. The CLE will cover an introduction to delegations of parental authority and power of attorney forms, as well as cover topics such as what might happen to someone’s rental unit, personal property, unpaid debts, and automobiles in the event that they are taken into detention or deported.
Presenters: Glen Drew, Program Director, Volunteer Lawyers Network. Glen has been an attorney since 2012 and is currently the director of legal programs and a deputy director at Volunteer Lawyers Network, Ltd., a nonprofit that provides free civil legal services to low-income people in Minnesota. Prior to joining VLN in his current capacity, Glen operated a medical-legal partnership for a legal aid organization and served as a volunteer in the U.S. Peace Corps and AmeriCorps.
Mila Roller, Chuck Green Civic Engagement Fellow from Macalester College at Volunteer Lawyers Network. Mila is a rising junior at Macalester College. This summer she is working as a Chuck Green Civic Engagement Fellow with Volunteer Lawyers Network. Through this fellowship, she is working alongside attorneys and completing research about family preparedness for people in Minnesota at risk of deportation.
Location: Zoom
CLE: 1 hour of CLE Credit to be applied for.
Click here to register!

August Housing Law Chat & Chew
2025-08-04 12:00 - 12:45 | Remote Via Webinar, 600 Nicollet Mall,, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, United States
The Chat and Chew is a time for VLN housing staff and volunteers to eat a (virtual) lunch together, chat about a housing topic, and socialize with one another. This is an informal event. There will be no power point presentations, but instead a brief introduction to a topic by a VLN staff member, followed by a discussion. Volunteers are encouraged to share stories of their experiences with housing cases with one another, and maybe learn a little – and of course, do some chewing too! This is casual and for all our volunteers – brand new and experienced alike!
In this Chat ‘N’ Chew we will discuss Emergency Tenant Remedies Actions. What are the prerequisites? What qualifies as an “emergency?” How does the case proceed? This will be especially helpful for volunteers that do phone advice but will also help all volunteers who advise clients on repair issues. Please join us!

Register now: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/6Un2AX9xRsSHeB3Pq2_FZQ

September Housing Law Chat & Chew
2025-09-08 12:00 - 12:45 | Remote Via Webinar, 600 Nicollet Mall,, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, United States
The Chat and Chew is a time for VLN housing staff and volunteers to eat a (virtual) lunch together, chat about a housing topic, and socialize with one another. This is an informal event. There will be no power point presentations, but instead a brief introduction to a topic by a VLN staff member, followed by a discussion. Volunteers are encouraged to share stories of their experiences with housing cases with one another, and maybe learn a little – and of course, do some chewing too! This is casual and for all our volunteers – brand new and experienced alike!
At the September 8, 2025 Chat ‘N’ Chew we will discuss the coming funding cliff for financial assistance, the problems this may cause, what to do when a client becomes extremely upset or lashes out at the attorney, and some resources for clients in difficult situations. Please join us!

Register now: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/2-C7iBAnQyu7B5hfimebLA

Riverfront Celebration 2025
2025-09-11 16:30 - 19:00 | Nicollet Island Pavilion, 40 Power Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55401
Join us on Thursday, September 11, 2025 at Nicollet Island Pavilion in recognizing the dedication of our volunteers and the courage of our clients in an evening of food, drink, and celebration. Reception will be followed by our program, highlighting a client and volunteer story, celebrating our 2025 Volunteer of the Year award winner CB Baga and John D. Levine Distinguished Service Award winner Mary Ellen Gallagher, and a keynote speech by Dillon White of Messerli Kramer aka @DadChats. Reception begins at 4:30pm. Program begins at 6:00pm.
Click here for tickets and sponsorships!

New Volunteer Eviction Expungement Clinic
2025-09-23 13:00 - 15:00 | Remote Via Webinar, 600 Nicollet Mall,, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, United States
NOTE: The registration deadline for this clinic has passed. If you are interested in participating in a future clinic, please contact Liv.Sayavong@vlnmn.org.

Make a direct impact on housing justice. Volunteer at our Eviction Expungement Clinic and help clients clear their eviction records. Start with a one hour live CLE on eviction expungement and e-filing, then spend time connecting with your assigned client by phone to gather information and draft paperwork. A VLN staff attorney will be available throughout to answer questions.

Fall 2025 Immigration CLE Series: The Ins and Outs of Master Calendar Hearings and Notices to Appear
2025-10-02 12:00 - 13:00 | Remote Via Webinar, 600 Nicollet Mall,, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, United States
Join the Volunteer Lawyers Network (VLN) for one or more of this 8-week noon-hour immigration CLE series on Thursdays between October 2 and November 20.
The series covers topics immigration practitioners and advocates address when providing advice, a brief service or pro se assistance in a legal clinic setting. What do we need to know in the fast-changing immigration system environment to better screen and advise clients? What should we advise pro se applicants and respondents? How can we transmit this information in an ethical and meaningful way? Each session includes where and how to refer persons for free legal help and how to volunteer.

October 2nd Description: The CLE presentation will cover local immigration court practice with Master Calendar Hearings (MCH) and how to read and interpret a Notice to Appear (NTA) that includes: preparing pro se clients for a MCH, explaining the legal process and paperwork to non-lawyers; explaining what could happen in the MCH such as pleadings, dismissals, pretermitting cases, arrest/detention, expedited removal, CFIs, etc.
October 2nd Presenter: Patrick Hellier, Associate Attorney, Zimmer Law Group LLC

The series covers relevant topics for today and has a great roster of immigration presenters:

October 2, The Ins and Outs of Master Calendar Hearings and Notices to Appear, Patrick Hellier, Associate Attorney, Zimmer Law Group
October 9, The Ins and Outs of Administrative Closure and Terminating Cases in Immigration Court, Sam Verner, Associate Attorney, Zimmer Law Group LLC
October 16, The Ins and Outs of Motions and ICE Check-ins, Kelsey Allen, Attorney, Davis Immigration Lawyers; Eric O’Denius, Freelance Paralegal, Hero Associates MN LLC
October 23, The Ins and Outs of Immigration Proceedings and Pro Se Respondents: Tips from the Bench, Ryan Wood, Principal Founding Partner, Emeriti Law PLLC, former Assistant Chief Immigration Judge for the EOIR
October 30, The Ins and Outs of Asylum Immigration Appeals, Maria Miller, Attorney, Martin Law
November 6, The Ins and Outs of Voluntary Departure, Kelly Clark, Associate Attorney, Heinz Law PLLC
November 13, The Ins and Outs of Screening for Naturalization, Patrick Hellier, Associate Attorney, Zimmer Law Group LLC
November 20, The Ins and Outs of Screening for U, T and SIJS, Danielle Hendrickson, Managing Attorney, Immigration Law Project, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid; Camila Pacheco-Fores, Supervising Attorney, Immigration Law Project, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid

Register now: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0ojSflZGRP6XOKMWZrkhAg
Questions: immigration@vlnmn.org
VLN will apply for 1.0 Standard CLE credit for each session.

October Housing Law Chat & Chew
2025-10-06 12:00 - 12:45 | Remote Via Webinar, 600 Nicollet Mall,, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, United States
The Chat and Chew is a time for VLN housing staff and volunteers to eat a (virtual) lunch together, chat about a housing topic, and socialize with one another. This is an informal event. There will be no power point presentations, but instead a brief introduction to a topic by a VLN staff member, followed by a discussion. Volunteers are encouraged to share stories of their experiences with housing cases with one another, and maybe learn a little – and of course, do some chewing too! This is casual and for all our volunteers – brand new and experienced alike!
Chat and Chew on Monday, October 6 will be about the differences between the common types of eviction cases: non-payment, breach, and holdover. We will discuss the varying complaint requirements and defenses for each of these type of eviction case. If you need a refresher or just an easy run-down of the differences please attend this Chat and Chew at noon on October 6. You can sign up here:

Register now: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/HNBqfnaeTO2pp_OSYUgxCg

Fall 2025 Immigration CLE Series: The Ins and Outs of Administrative Closure and Terminating Cases in Immigration Court
2025-10-09 12:00 - 13:00 | Remote Via Webinar, 600 Nicollet Mall,, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, United States
Join the Volunteer Lawyers Network (VLN) for one or more of this 8-week noon-hour immigration CLE series on Thursdays between October 2 and November 20.
The series covers topics immigration practitioners and advocates address when providing advice, a brief service or pro se assistance in a legal clinic setting. What do we need to know in the fast-changing immigration system environment to better screen and advise clients? What should we advise pro se applicants and respondents? How can we transmit this information in an ethical and meaningful way? Each session includes where and how to refer persons for free legal help and how to volunteer.

October 9 Description: The CLE Presentation will cover the distinction between Administrative Closure and Terminating Immigration Proceedings and when they are available to respondents, how to request them, the intersection of requesting administrative closure and pursing other relief, strategies to strengthen the admin closure argument, what to do if not available, current local court practice, etc.
October 9 Presenter: Sam Verner, Associate Attorney, Zimmer Law Group LLC

The series covers relevant topics for today and has a great roster of immigration presenters:

October 2, The Ins and Outs of Master Calendar Hearings and Notices to Appear, Patrick Hellier, Associate Attorney, Zimmer Law Group
October 9, The Ins and Outs of Administrative Closure and Terminating Cases in Immigration Court, Sam Verner, Associate Attorney, Zimmer Law Group LLC
October 16, The Ins and Outs of Motions and ICE Check-ins, Kelsey Allen, Attorney, Davis Immigration Lawyers; Eric O’Denius, Freelance Paralegal, Hero Associates MN LLC
October 23, The Ins and Outs of Immigration Proceedings and Pro Se Respondents: Tips from the Bench, Ryan Wood, Principal Founding Partner, Emeriti Law PLLC, former Assistant Chief Immigration Judge for the EOIR
October 30, The Ins and Outs of Asylum Immigration Appeals, Maria Miller, Attorney, Martin Law
November 6, The Ins and Outs of Voluntary Departure, Kelly Clark, Associate Attorney, Heinz Law PLLC
November 13, The Ins and Outs of Screening for Naturalization, Patrick Hellier, Associate Attorney, Zimmer Law Group LLC
November 20, The Ins and Outs of Screening for U, T and SIJS, Danielle Hendrickson, Managing Attorney, Immigration Law Project, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid; Camila Pacheco-Fores, Supervising Attorney, Immigration Law Project, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid

Register now: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0ojSflZGRP6XOKMWZrkhAg
Questions: immigration@vlnmn.org
VLN will apply for 1.0 Standard CLE credit for each session.
