ProJusticeMN.org Newsletter: June 2014

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New Online Pro Bono Opportunity!
 
State Support is excited to announce the launch of Minnesota Legal Advice Online (MLAO)! MLAO is a new website that provides advice to people with civil legal questions. Entirely online, clients enter questions into the website and volunteer attorneys review and answer questions at their convenience.
 
The benefits of this new system are two-fold. First, clients who might not otherwise get help can get brief advice from an attorney. Second, attorneys can take advantage of a pro bono opportunity at their own pace and at a time that is convenient for them.
 
Current MLAO volunteer (and legal aid attorney) Genevieve Gaboriault says, “I enjoy taking questions from MLAO online.  I get to help people who could not afford to pay for their own lawyer, just like I do in my regular role at Legal Aid.  But I get to do it at my own pace and have time to look up statutes or laws if I’m not quite sure of the answer.  The tool is easy to use too which is a plus.” 
 
There are many reasons to get involved in pro bono work, but most compelling is the overwhelming need for legal services for low-income people in Minnesota.  According to the Legal Services Advisory Committee and Lawyer Registration (MARS) data, for every 1 private attorney in Minnesota, there are 365 potential paying clients, while for every 1 legal aid attorney in Minnesota, there are 4,022 potential low-income clients. Volunteering with MLAO is an easy way to help address this gap and get help to your fellow Minnesotans who are struggling.
 
In only a few weeks of operation, MLAO has generated over 88 legal questions from the public.  We need your help to keep up with this demand for legal advice - sign up here to start answering questions. Get more information about MLAO here or by emailing mlao@mnlegalservices.org.