Since April 2006, VLN volunteers have been receiving the popular “Tip of the Month,” a short summary of an area of law (often new) that we think our volunteers will find useful.
Click here to suggest a new Tip of the Month!
2023
June – What to Do When Clients Stop Responding
May – How the Disposition of a Case Affects the Burden and Petition in Criminal Expungement Cases
April – Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (“SIV”) Adjustment Applications
March – From the Archives: New Uniform Pro Bono Reporting Requirements
February – Registering for an eFS Account as a Volunteer Attorney and General Instructions for E-filing Motions through eFile and eServe (eFS)
January – Changes to Guidelines Support in Minnesota
2022
December – Noncitizens and the Risks Accessing the Legal System
November – How to Request an In-Person or Remote Hearing
October – Tips for Remote Pro Bono Work
July – The Ethical Obligations of Attorneys vs. Social Workers
June – Volunteer Guiding Philosophy
May – Summer Reading List
April – Federal Bankruptcy Exemptions Update
March – Calling All Writers!
February – Suicide Prevention: Every Lawyer’s Opportunity
January – Cold Weather Rule Update
2021
December – How New Minnesota Forfeiture Laws Will Affect Property Owners
November – What to Do When Clients Stop Responding
October – Fact Sheet: U Visa Certification for Immigrant Crime Victims
September – MCRO: A Step Forward in Transparency
August – Returning to the Office… Or Not
July – Overview of Minnesota’s Eviction Moratorium Phaseout
June – A Step-by-Step Overview of Full Representation Rent Escrow Cases
May – New Uniform Pro Bono Reporting Requirements
April – Learn Bankruptcy Law and Practice by Volunteering with VLN
March – Telling Clients When Legal Action is Not the Right Solution
February – Claiming CLE Credit for Pro Bono Work
January – A Worthwhile Endeavor: Helping Clients with Creditor Harassment
2020
December – How to Amend Schedules A/B and C in a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Case
November – Moving the Needle on Gender Bias
October – The Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act: Time to Apply is Running Out!
September – The CDC Moratorium and How it Affects Evictions in Minnesota
August – Using E-Signatures in District Court Filings
July – Home is Where the Health is
June – Proactive Steps for Undoing Racism in Ourselves and Our Systems
May – How to Advise Sellers on Car Title Transfers
April – Eviction Moratoriums During the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic
March – No More Living in Limbo: The Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act (LRIFA)
February – Ensuring a “Fresh Start” After Bankruptcy: Credit Reporting
January – Suspension of Driver’s Licenses by the Child Support Agency
2019
December – Timing Changes to Minnesota Court Rules
November – Bankruptcy and Shame
October – Requesting a Fee Waiver (“IFP”)
September – UPDATE: Understanding the New Regulation for “Public Charge”: what do I tell my client?
August – What Every Volunteer Attorney Should Know about Eviction Expungement
July – Uninsured Motorists and Loss of Driving Privileges for Civil Judgments
June – How to Clear Judgments After Completing a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
May – Tackling Wage Theft
April – Service of Process Changes for Family and Civil Cases
March – How to Read a Register of Actions (ROA) for Criminal Expungement Purposes
February – Working with Gender Diverse Clients
Click here for the Fact Sheet: GUIDE TO WORKING WITH GENDER DIVERSE CLIENTS
January – Car Title Transfers for Private Sales
Click here for the Fact Sheet: HOW TO SELL A USED CAR TO A PERSON
Click here for the Fact Sheet: WHAT YOU CAN DO IF YOU SOLD A CAR
BUT THE BUYER DIDN’T TRANSFER THE TITLE
2018
December – Understanding the Proposed Rule Change for Public Charge: “What do I tell my client?”
November – Holiday Spending
October – Working with Interpreters
September – Volunteer Resources
August – Criminal Expungement in Minnesota — Quick Reference Guide
July – Minnesota’s New Parenting Expense Adjustment in Calculating Child Support
June – “Legal Check-ups,” Family Preparedness and Transmitting Hope
May – Help with Common Challenges at Legal Clinics
April – Creating an Electronic Filing and Service (eFS) Account for Individual Attorneys with a Pro Bono-Only Practice
March – First Meeting with a Bankruptcy Client
February – DACA Renewal Update
January – The Cold Weather Rule Update
2017
December – Statutes of Limitation, Statutes of Repose and Notice Requirements – At a Glance
November – There is no such thing as “judgment-proof.”
October – Credit Reports & the Equifax Breach
September – Current Information about the DACA Program and DACA Renewal Help
August – Important Information about Passports and Passports for Minor Children
July – Communication in the Landlord-Tenant Relationship
June – The Essential Skills for Counseling and Problem Solving at Clinics
Click here to read the full manual, updated June 2017
May – CLE Credit for Pro Bono Representation through VLN
April – Family Preparedness Toolkit – Minnesota
March – Travel Ban Update
February – Becoming an Emeritus Pro Bono Attorney through VLN
January – Post Election Advice for the Refugee and Immigrant Communities