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LegalCORPS assists low-income owners of small businesses and small nonprofit organizations by connecting them with free, high-quality legal services from volunteer lawyers.
By lending a hand to those who otherwise could not afford needed legal help, LegalCORPS' knowledgeable volunteer lawyers join efforts to make Minnesota's communities great places to live, raise families and do business.
LegalCORPS emerged in spring 2004 after recommendations from a Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) task force that sought new ways to improve access to free legal services to low-income communities and nonprofits that serve them. The task force convened 39 collaboration partners that represented legal service providers, volunteer lawyer service coordinators, law firms, law schools and technical assistance providers to nonprofits and microenterprises.
After extensive research, the task force published a comprehensive report of its findings.
LegalCORPS provides an avenue for lawyers to fulfill Rule 6.1 of the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct, which asserts that lawyers “should aspire to render at least 50 hours of pro bono publico legal services per year.”
LegalCORPS partners with Volunteer Lawyers Network (VLN) for screening of eligible clients and case placement with volunteer attorneys. Besides full representation in non-litigation matters, LegalCORPS volunteers can provide brief phone advice and advice at drop-in business law clinics, and can take part as presenters in workshops and other public presentations.
For further information and general background on business law pro bono (legal representation by volunteer business lawyers in service of community economic development), see: James Baillie, “Fulfilling the Promise of Business Law Pro Bono,” 28 William Mitchell Law Review 1543 (2002).
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