ProJusticeMN.org Newsletter: February 2014

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Interested in Volunteering with State Support's Online Advice Project?
 
State Support is excited to be rolling out our new statewide online legal advice system, Minnesota Legal Advice Online (MLAO).  We are looking for volunteers interested in testing out the system during our pilot phase.  Volunteers will watch a short webinar on how to use MLAO and then answer user questions using the online system.  This is a great volunteer opportunity for busy attorneys - everything can be done remotely and on the attorney's schedule.
 
Interested in volunteering or want to learn more about the project? Contact Jessica Nault at jnault@mnlegalservices.org or 651-842-6913.
 
Nominations sought for 2014 Becker Awards
 
The MSBA is now seeking nominations for the 2014 Becker Awards honoring outstanding legal services staff and volunteer law students. Awards information and nomination forms are available on the MSBA website.
 
The deadline for nominations is February 21st. Awards will be presented at the April 25th MSBA Assembly meeting.
 
Questions? Contact Lindsay Davis  ldavis@mnbar.org or 612-278-6322.
 
Pro Bono Publico Awardees to be Honored at the Annual Bar Benefit
 
The Pro Bono Publico awards, recognizing service to the community, will be presented on March 11 at the Hennepin County Bar Foundation’s Bar Benefit. These awards are given to three individuals who have personally contributed to the advancement of justice by their volunteer efforts. This year’s recipients are James (Jay) Wilkinson, Judge Jay Quam, and Perry M. Wilson.
 
James (Jay) Wilkinson will receive the 2014 HCBA Distinguished Service Award, which is given to a person who has demonstrated an overall commitment to pro bono work throughout his or her career. Wilkinson has worked at Legal Aid since 1978 and has helped to establish the Youth Law Project and the Housing Discrimination Law Project.
 
The 2014 Pro Bono Publico Award for excellence by an Attorney in the Private Sector recognizes Perry M. Wilson of Dorsey & Whitney. Wilson has a long and distinguished career supporting pro bono activities on behalf of the poor and disadvantaged. At Dorsey & Whitney since 1981, he began early to represent pro se parties in conciliation court and housing court. He continues to do this work 32 years later, representing parties in housing court several times each month.
 
Judge Jay Quam is the recipient of the Pro Bono Publico Award for Excellence by an Attorney in the Public/Government/Judicial Sector. During his 18 year career at Fredrikson & Byron, Quam was very active in pro bono, averaging over 165 hours per year throughout his career. Quam handled a wide range of cases and provided advice to clients from Volunteer Lawyers Network, Catholic Charities, Legal Access Point, and others. Quam was also on the Board of Directors of Volunteer Lawyers Network and Central Minnesota Legal Services.
 
For tickets to the March 11 at the Bar Benefit, contact Joy Hamilton at joy@hcba.org.
 
Read more at Hennepin Lawyer...