Know Your Rights
Media ContactLisa Ramirez, Communications Director, lramirez@mylegalaid.org
Historically, state tax work by the unit was limited to cases connected to an IRS case with conditions — the cases had to stem from the same IRS tax issue and had to occur in the same year. This is no longer the case. Today, the unit’s state cases only need to fall within the project’s priority areas and do not need to be connected to a federal case.
Vast, complex and never easy is the work undertaken by our Legal Services Advocacy Project. In 2024, LSAP Attorneys Jessica Webster, Ellen Smart, Andrew Knox III, led by Supervising Attorney Ron Elwood, set sights on modernizing laws to further economic justice. Notable examples include:
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid’s 44th annual Law Day Dinner showcases justice work through attorneys of our housing, consumer and disability law units and through the lens of clients who were facing eviction, wage garnishment and loss of credits for personal care assistance. Each, represented by Legal Aid, overcame these legal challenges. They remain housed, recouped wages and re-established entitlement to PCA credits.
Legal Aid client Judah and his mother Terress, along with Attorney Jessica Heiser of Legal Aid’s Minnesota Disability Law Center, talked to KSTP. They filed a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights but have yet to get a response.
Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and bedridden, our client received an eviction notice listing a litany of unsubstantiated lease violations.
Out of high school, Josie LaBonne made the career decision to train dogs to be service animals. But had no idea that the first and only dog she trained would be for herself or that together, she and Jack-Jack would need the help of Legal Aid. With Attorney Sonja Peterson of our Disability Law Center, La Bonne’s case reached a settlement agreement.
If anyone embodies the spirit of doing it all, it’s our colleague Demitrea Kelley. Named the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers Scholar for 2025, we talk to the Legal Aider and 3L who’s set to earn her J.D. this spring.
Effective March 1, a Minneapolis city ordinance requires landlords to disclose outstanding housing violations and their housing rights to prospective tenants.
Legal Aid client Cathy was drawn to her retirement community because it was marketed to people with disabilities. But, soon, she encountered barriers that hindered her mobility. That’s when she called Legal Aid.
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