Does the system effectively and efficiently use the private bar to deliver essential services to low income people?
Minnesota has played a leadership role with respect to pro bono for many years. The MSBA and Arrowhead Lawyers Care were honored on separate occasions with the Harrison Tweed Award. Two Minnesotans have been named NAPBCO Coordinators of the Year, and numerous private lawyers have been recognized. Minnesota had the highest percentage of eligible firms originally participating in the ABAs Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge and the firms continue this high level of participation. The LAD Committee and local programs are pleased with the implementation of probono.net/mn and the response from volunteers. The MSBA has completely moved its loose-leaf Volunteer Attorney Desk Manual to the web site and is beginning to reduce the number of paper subscriptions to the Coalitions twice-monthly newsletter. The 3M pro bono project with SMRLS is regarded as a model in the corporate community. Private lawyers play key roles in brief advice clinics at community and pro se service centers, full representation o
