Last year, VLN partnered with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid to begin the More Representation Minneapolis initiative. Our goal: getting more tenants legal representation in housing court.
Specifically, we wanted to see a 20 percent increase in volunteer hours by the end of 2019.
With the help of 16 partner law firms, we met that goal two-and-a-half months early!
We went from 1,900 pro bono hours to 2,300 before the convening on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019, hosted by MRM partner Stinson LLP.
Representation in civil court makes a huge difference in results for tenants experiencing poverty. But unlike criminal defendants, civil defendants have no constitutional right to counsel.
VLN, MMLA and the City of Minneapolis will continue to work hard, together, to provide this essential component of housing justice to tenants in Minneapolis and beyond.
For more information or to join us in this initiative, please call VLN at 612-752-6655.
Click here to read the story in Minnesota Lawyer!
