Ashleigh Leitch, an associate at Best & Flanagan, LLP, started her law career in 2008 with an undergraduate internship at Legal Aid’s Willmar office. Today she specializes in employment litigation and advice for companies and nonprofits. She credits that summer […]
The legal system is intended to protect crime victims, but in the aftermath of crime they oft en find themselves at a loss. The prosecutor represents the state, the defense attorney represents the accused, and victims are traditionally left to […]
The Warsama family’s fourth child was born with significant health conditions and disabilities. Given her complex medical needs, the child was hospitalized for several months at Children’s Minnesota in Minneapolis. Her parents were under incredible stress, working full-time and caring […]
Shawneise, a mother of two, relies on wages from her full-time job to cover bills. Last November, on the weekend she planned to shop for Christmas gifts for her children, her paycheck was over $300 short. Shawneise has a credit […]
Legal Aid’s State Support team is proud to introduce a newly overhauled statewide legal website: LawHelpMN. “We are so excited about this project,” says Communications Coordinator Mary Rea. “The old LawHelpMN had reams of useful information but it wasn’t filtered […]
Law is one thing in theory, and another in practice. In every practice area, Legal Aid attorneys encounter statutes where gaps or ambiguity leave broad room for interpretation and create unintended impediments to justice. Legal Aid’s Legal Services Advocacy Project […]
If someone calls Legal Aid during business hours, a human being answers the phone and speaks with them. In a typical month, the Minneapolis office’s intake team fields over 3,500 of those calls. In addition to directing all incoming inquiries, […]
Pamela Hoopes began working as a staff attorney at Legal Aid in 1989, representing people with mental illness disabilities. She has seen major changes in disability law since then, both in Minnesota and nationally. As deputy director of Legal Aid’s […]
Liza Banfield is 69 years old. She was admitted to a nursing facility (NF) in 2015 following hospitalization for dizziness and falls at home, and she had diagnoses including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. She liked the facility, and quickly adjusted […]
Jackie is homeless and wants to establish a payment plan with her creditor. She hopes to improve her credit and obtain housing. Stephen was sent home from work and wants to understand the legal parameters of at-will employment and discrimination. […]
