The post-pandemic eviction moratorium “off-ramp” is now underway. Legal services organizations across the state have been planning for over a year for the flood of cases that have now started to enter the court system.
To help face this crisis, the Minnesota Judicial Branch, Minnesota State Bar Association, and legal aid programs created the “Lawyers Step Up for Minnesota” campaign to recruit volunteer attorneys to meet acute needs not only in housing matters, but also family safety and consumer protection. This effort led to the creation of a website to connect attorneys with local legal services agencies to make a difference through pro bono.
Please visit www.lawyersstepupmn.org to start the simple process of making a lasting impact in our state. Training opportunities are available, including on-demand resources.
Each organization and judicial district are facing unique challenges. Some are urgently looking for housing volunteers, while others have dedicated their entire staff to housing and need assistance in other areas of law. Regardless of your practice area, there is an important role for you in mitigating some of the fallout for low-income families and individuals in Minnesota communities. While the numbers for the metro area are staggering—up to 80 eviction cases per day in Hennepin County alone—outstate areas are in just as much need with fewer attorneys per capita than the metro area. Now is the time to start or renew your pro bono practice!