Central MN Legal Services Volunteer Attorney Program (Willmar Area)

Connect with financially eligible low-income clients with a wide range of civil legal issues by participating in legal advice clinics and full representation opportunities in west-central Minnesota.


Central Minnesota Legal Services’ Volunteer Attorney Program (CMLS-VAP) in the Willmar area covers court appearances in Big Stone, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Meeker, Renville, Swift, Yellow Medicine, and Wright counties. CMLS-VAP serves clients who may be outside of staff priorities or are a conflict of interest for staff attorneys.


Volunteer attorneys are needed in the following areas: family law, mediation, debt collection defense, bankruptcy, landlord/tenant, real estate, guardianship/conservatorship, and wills. Attorneys are needed to provide advice, brief legal services like filling out forms, court representation, and to staff legal advice clinics for eligible clients. Attorneys are also needed to provide presentations on legal topics to community members and mentor newer volunteer attorneys. Attorneys are free to choose the number and type of cases they wish to accept.


Volunteers qualify for free/reduced cost CLE trainings, support resources and training materials, CLE credit for volunteer work, access to ProJusticeMN.org, and reimbursement for travel, copies, phone, and postage costs. CMLS-VAP provides malpractice insurance to cover volunteer attorneys.

  • County(s) of Volunteer Opportunity: Big Stone, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Meeker, Renville, Swift, Wright, Yellow Medicine
  • Area of law: Consumer, Debt/Credit/Bankruptcy, Employment, Family & Juvenile, Foreclosure, Homeless, Housing, Life Planning, Public Benefits, Veterans
  • Populations Served: Communities of Color, Domestic Violence Victims, Elderly, General Public, Individuals with criminal histories, Individuals with physical/mental disabilities, Low Income, Working poor and unemployed
  • Opportunities For: Lawyers, Mentors/consultants, Senior Lawyers, Small and medium law firm attorneys
  • Hours for Pro Bono Opportunities: Flexible, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
  • Malpractice insurance is provided for volunteers: Yes
  • Training Provided: Yes
  • Training Required: No
  • CLE credit for trainings: Yes
  • CLE credit for pro bono: Yes
  • Mentoring or supervision offered: Yes
  • Volunteer lawyers need to meet a caseload or hours requirement: No
  • Types of projects in need of Pro Bono help: Alternative dispute resolution (ADR), Client counseling (e.g., brief advice), Litigation: Trial/Direct Representation, Prepare legal education materials
  • Volunteers may participate long-distance: No
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