• Legal Aid staff votes to unionize

    Feb 21, 2024

    MMLA Statement

  • Legal Aid stands strong behind "Food is medicine bill"

    Feb 16, 2024

    The "Food is Medicine" bill goes before the legislature, Tuesday, Feb. 20. This effort seeks to extend SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits (previously known as "food stamps") to Minnesota's 6K adults who lost them Jan. 1.
    News Release
    Fact Sheet
    Flyer - English

    Flyer - Spanish
    Flyer - Somali
    Flyer - Hmong


  • Keeping ban on holds protects Minnesota’s schoolchildren

    Feb 13, 2024

    Position Statement on the SRO bill (HF 3489):

    Legal Aid and the Minnesota Disability Law Center respectfully request that the Legislature retain the ban on face-down, breath-impacting holds on children in Minnesota schools.

    We are in talks, in hearings and have had meaningful discussion with the superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). We have a thorough understanding of how these statutes work.

    We have represented children who have been hurt in holds.

    Our position is that face-down, breath-impacting holds on children are dangerous.

    These holds are high-risk, even for the most experienced and most highly trained law enforcement officers.

    The risks of injury and fatality are too great to ignore.

    Legal Aid supports the Legislature’s intent to clarify that Minn. Stat. § 609.06 governs the duties and responsibilities of law enforcement.

    Legal Aid welcomes the addition of a model policy, mandatory training and POST Board oversight and enforcement for SROs.

    ###

    Media contact:
    Lisa Ramirez
    (she/her)
    Communications Manager
    Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
    MN Disability Law Center
    612.746.3641
    lramirez@mylegalaid.org


  • Legal Aid names new leader

    Jan 24, 2024

    Milo Mumgaard, seasoned champion of equal justice, selected to lead Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid.
    News Release
    Photo

  • Become a U.S. Citizen with the Help of Legal Aid

    Jan 16, 2024

    Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid will host a Naturalization Screening Clinic, Thursday, Jan. 25, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Volunteers and attorneys will explain steps leading to citizenship: Waite House — 2323 11th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN — for our next Naturalization Clinic. To RSVP or to ask questions, email: Probono@mylegalaid.org.

    See flyers in Spanish, Somali, Hmong and Oromo.
    News Release

  • Nationwide Search Underway for Next Leader of Legal Aid

    Oct 20, 2023

    As Danielle Shelton-Walczak steps down from her role at the helm of Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, the organization is putting out a call for candidates, far and wide, to apply to be the next Executive Director.
    News Release
    Job posting

  • Not news: Legal Aid is Free!

    Oct 19, 2023

    Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid has become aware that vulnerable people, seeking legal help, are paying a third party claiming to be “legal aid.” They are then directed to a dead end for help. Of course, Legal Aid is free. We do not advertise on craigslist. Feel free to copy/paste the messages below to your communications. Thank you for spreading the word!

    English:

    If you’re paying for #LegalAid, that’s not Legal Aid. Please spread the word. We do not advertise on Craig’s list. Applying for legal aid is free. Screening is free. Getting legal aid or resources is free. Connect with us by calling: 1.877.696.6529 or visiting: LawHelpMN.org.

    Espanol:

    Si usted está pagando por #AyudaLegal (#LegalAid), eso no es Ayuda Legal (Legal Aid). Por favor, corra la voz. No nos anunciamos en Craig's List. La solicitud de ayuda legal es gratuita. La evaluación es gratuita. Puede obtener ayuda legal o recursos de forma gratuita. Póngase en contacto con nosotros llamando al 1.877.696.6529 o visitando: LawHelpMN.org.

    Somali:
    "Haddii aad ku bixiso kharash Gargaar Sharciga ah (#LegalAid), taasi ma aha Gargaarka Dhanka Sharciga ah (Legal Aid) ee aan anigu bixino. Fadlan taa cid walba gaarsiiya. Xayeysiin anagu ma soo gelino barta Craig's list. Codsashada gargaarka dhanka sharciga ahi (legal aid) waa bilaash. Xuliddu waa bilaash. Helida gargaar dhanka sharciga ah ama khayraadyo waa bilaash. Nagu soo xiran anaga adigoo soo wacaya: 1.877.696.6529 ama booqanaya barta: LawHelpMN.org.”

    Oromo:
    #LegalAid dhaaf kaffalaa jirtu yoo ta'e, kun Gargaarsa Seeraa(Legal Aid) miti. Maaloo ergaa kana faffacaasaa. Nuti beeksisa Craig's List irratti hinbaafnu. Gargaarsa Seeraaf iyyachuun tola. Kan fudhatamu filuun (screening) tola. Gargaarsa Seeraa ykn Leeccollee argachuun tola. 1.877.696.6529 Bilbiluudhaan nuqunnamaa ykn daawwadhaa: LawHelpMN.org.”

    Hmong:
    Yog koj them nyiaj rau #Kev pab kevcai lijchoj (LegalAid), nws tsis yog Legal Aid (Legal Aid). Thov qhia rau sawvdaws paub. Peb tsis qhauj tawm rau hauv Craig's List. Tuaj thov kev pab kevcai lijchoj yog dawb. Kuaj yog dawb xwb. Tau kev pab kevcai lijchoj lossis cov kev pab yog dawb. Hu tau rau peb ntawm 1.877.696.6529 lossis mus xyuas: LawHelpMN.org.

    Vietnamese:
    Nếu quý vị đang phải trả lệ phí cho cơ quan Trợ Giúp Pháp Lý( #LegalAid) nào thì đó không phải là Trợ Giúp Pháp lý (Legal Aid). Xin vui lòng chuyển lời chúng tôi đến mọi người. Chúng tôi không hề quảng cáo trên trang Craig's List. Việc nộp đơn xin trợ giúp pháp lý hoàn toàn miễn phí. Việc sàng lọc thì miễn phí. Việc tiếp nhận trợ giúp pháp lý hoặc các tài nguyên là miễn phí. Hãy kết nối với chúng tôi bằng cách gọi: 1.877.696.6529 hoặc truy cập: LawHelpMN.org.

  • Become a U.S. Citizen with the Help of Legal Aid

    Oct 17, 2023

    Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid will host a Naturalization Screening Clinic, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Volunteers and attorneys will explain steps leading to citizenship. Brooklyn Park Library 8500 W. Broadway Ave. To RSVP or to ask questions, email: Probono@mylegalaid.org.

    Flyers in English, Spanish, Somali, Hmong, Oromo
    Flyer in Amharic

  • Greiling to headline Legal Aid Luncheon

    Oct 4, 2023

    Former Statehouse Representative Mindy Greiling will share the story of her family's struggle with mental illness as keynote speaker of the 12th Annual Access to Justice Luncheon set for Oct. 12.
    News Release

  • Ruling in Class Action Lawsuit favors Special Education Students

    Sep 1, 2023

    Legal Aid is seeking to get the word out to certain special education students that they are now entitled to resume instruction they lost out on when the state prematurely ended their educational services.
    News Release

  • Legal Aid's Strategic Racial Equity Plan

    Jul 31, 2023

    In 2023, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid completed its Strategic Racial Equity Action Plan. (SREAP) As part of our work, we worked with a consultant, staff, board members, and community partners to assess our strengths and gaps. Read The Report

  • Settlement Favoring Legal Aid Clients Approved; MMLA Awarded $1.138 Million

    Jun 28, 2023

    A federal class-action lawsuit which began seven years ago has come to a close with a settlement that affirms choice for individuals with disabilities living in group homes. It also gives Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid the largest cash award in the organization's history.
    News Release

  • 8th Circuit Decides in Favor of Legal Aid; Metro Transit Must Make Changes

    Jun 20, 2023

    A year ago, Legal Aid Client Barry Segal won big in the Court of Appeals--a portion of a six-figure settlement and changes to the way Metro Transit conducts business. Segal, who identifies as Deafblind, wants others with similar disabilities to know about his case and their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. At a community meeting hosted by ThinkSelfMN, June 28, Legal Aid Attorneys Sonja Peterson and Rick Macpherson will be on hand to present and answer questions.
    News Release
    Settlement Agreement
    8th Circuit Opinion
    Metro Transit Training Video
    Metro Transit Training Video - Text Versio

    Meeting Resources:
    Met Council Accessibility Advisory Committee
    • Contact the Met Council Advisory Committee with your concerns about the training video.
    Metro Transit Complaint Form | 612.373.3333
    • File a complaint with Metro Transit if you are waiting at the T sign and a bus passes you by and fails to let you board.
    Metro Transit Data Practices Request
    • Complete this form to get video of the bus passing you. You may also call 612.373.3333 to make the request.

    MN Disability Law Center | 612.334.5970
    • Call MDLC if a bus fails to let you board 10 times in one year.
    • Call MDLC if you experience egregious discrimination from a driver because of your disability, even if it is not 10 times. For example, if a driver says you can't ride because you are disabled or makes other disparaging remarks about your disability.

    July 5, 2023: Thank you to ThinkSelf Minnesota for inviting Legal Aid's Minnesota Disability Law Center to present at this meeting. Links above are to resources shared in the presentation by Attorneys Rick Macpherson (ret.) and Sonja Peterson:

  • MN Disability Law Center Premieres Film Series "In Our Own Words"

    Jun 14, 2023

    On a screen near you, listen to the voice of people with disabilities who answer the question, some have never been asked before, "How do you want to be treated?" Their answers, available in a two-part film series produced by Mid-MN Legal Aid's Disability Law Center, may surprise you! Intended for health care providers everywhere, you too can become educated and share our film to advocate for improved care!
    News Release
    PLAYING NOW: "In Our Own words"

  • Becker Awards Go to Two at Mid-MN Legal Aid

    Jun 9, 2023

    Four Becker Awards are conferred annually by the Minnesota State Bar Association. This year, two of the honors will recognize staff of Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid. Attorney Taryn Trujillo Risom is the honoree of the Emerging Leadership Award and Legal Advocate Cindy Jarvi is being remembered with the Legacy of Excellence Award.
    News Release

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