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

Tip of the Month Archives >>