Minnesota Pro Bono and Free Legal Help Resources
If you are looking for free or low cost legal help in Minnesota, the organizations below may be a good place to start. Availability depends on the type of case, your income, and where you live. Some programs handle civil matters only, while public defenders generally assist with qualifying criminal cases.
Minnesota has a strong network of nonprofit legal aid organizations and volunteer attorney programs that help residents with housing issues, family law matters, domestic violence protection, consumer problems, and public benefits.
Main Legal Aid Provider
Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota
Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota provides free civil legal services to qualifying residents across northeastern Minnesota. Assistance may include help with housing, family law, public benefits, consumer issues, and elder law.
Address
302 Ordean Building
424 West Superior Street
Duluth, MN 55802
Phone
(800) 933-1112
Website
https://www.lasnem.org
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid provides free civil legal services to qualifying individuals and families across central Minnesota and the Twin Cities area. Their services include housing law, family law, disability rights advocacy, and public benefits assistance.
Address
430 First Avenue North
Suite 300
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone
(612) 332-8151
Website
https://mylegalaid.org
State Legal Information Site
Minnesota Judicial Branch Self-Help Center
The Minnesota Judicial Branch provides legal information, court forms, and guidance for individuals representing themselves in court.
Website
https://www.mncourts.gov/selfhelp
Free Online Legal Answers
Minnesota Free Legal Answers
Minnesota Free Legal Answers allows eligible individuals to ask civil legal questions online and receive responses from volunteer attorneys.
Website
https://minnesota.freelegalanswers.org
Specialty or Pro Bono Programs
Volunteer Lawyers Network
Volunteer Lawyers Network connects low income individuals with volunteer attorneys who provide free legal assistance for certain civil matters.
Address
600 Nicollet Mall
Suite 390A
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Phone
(612) 752-6677
Website
https://www.vlnmn.org
Central Minnesota Legal Services
Central Minnesota Legal Services provides civil legal assistance to qualifying residents in several counties throughout central Minnesota.
Website
https://www.centralmnlegal.org
Law School Clinics
University of Minnesota Law School Clinics
The University of Minnesota operates several legal clinics where law students provide legal services under the supervision of licensed attorneys.
Clinic areas may include
• Housing law
• Immigration law
• Civil practice
• Business law
Website
https://law.umn.edu/academics/clinical-programs
Lawyer Directory or Referral
Minnesota State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
The Minnesota State Bar Association provides a lawyer referral service to help individuals locate licensed attorneys in their area.
Website
https://www.mnfindalawyer.com
Public Defender
Minnesota Board of Public Defense
If you are charged with a criminal offense and cannot afford an attorney, the court may appoint a public defender to represent you.
Website
https://www.pubdef.state.mn.us
Court and Self-Help Links
Minnesota Judicial Branch
The Minnesota Judicial Branch website provides court information, legal forms, and self-help resources for individuals representing themselves.
Website
https://www.mncourts.gov
Important Note
Court locations, office hours, and program availability can change. Please confirm details directly with the organization before relying on this information.
ProBonoLawyers.com is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This website should be considered a directory intended to help people locate legal resources that may offer pro bono or reduced cost services. Use of this site does not create an attorney client relationship.