Inside Legal Aid

Our colleagues in intake are with clients at the arduous start of their justice journey. But like emergency room doctors who triage, they don’t often hear how cases end. Enter, Consumer Attorney Beth Goodell. Twice a year, she sends the team personal shoutouts and case outcomes, like the client, sued for $13K, who ended up $1400 ahead!

An eviction defense is a tough one when your client hasn’t paid rent for three months. But not for the team of Koch and Shah. “Our main defense was habitability. A tenant’s obligation to pay is suspended if the condition of the rental unit is poor,” points out Attorney Mateen Shah. The judge agreed, granting full rent abatement; reimbursement to the client for mold inspection; plus $7535 in legal fees to Legal Aid. Another reason to support and celebrate our St. Cloud colleagues’ justice efforts at the annual luncheon, next week!

Legal Aid has a Latine Affinity group. See member highlights on social media!

Attorney Jessica Heiser and clients of our MN Disability Law Center courageously put a face on the kids and families who hoped the Office of Civil Rights could help them.

Attorney Jessica Webster is leading this Capitol news conference. Legal Aid and allies are pushing back on the effort to restore seclusion practices for K-3 learners with disabilities. 

Legal Director Sarah McGuire is the go-to for insights on success of the Stearns County Domestic Violence Partnership.

MINNEAPOLIS – If anyone embodies the spirit of doing it all, it’s our colleague Demitrea Kelley. Nearing her final year in law school, she’s a case study and an enigma for having accomplished so much while overcoming even more. Meet the MABL Scholar for 2025!

MINNESOTA DISABILITY LAW CENTER – When faced with discrimination at a nail salon, Attorney Sonja Peterson of the Minnesota Disability Law Center fought for the rights of Josie LaBonne, leading to a settlement that ensures better training for employees in accommodating service animals.

ST. CLOUD – 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. Enter the team of Chen, Shah and Craddick.

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid is among the justice groups that sent a letter to the Minnesota Supreme Court – Star Tribune; A federal judge reinstates fair housing grants – MSN.com; LSAP is highlighted for its role in tackling high insurance costs. – CBS Minnesota. Catch up on these stories and more.

Our Minnesota Disability Law Center prepared last month for Disability Advocacy Day at the Capitol. There, Ryan Haenze was profoundly struck by these words of advocacy:

“If you, alone, try to hold a note too long, you will lose your breath. You sputter, cough and are unable to continue. But choirs can hold notes seemingly forever…because in a choir when someone takes a breath, someone else sings. And like this, people pause and start and remain and leave but the sound keeps going.” -Dani Indovino Cawley