https://www.mnbar.org/
Central Minnesota Legal Services
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2026 1L Diversity Clerkship Employer Statement
111 North 5th Street, Suite 402
Minneapolis, MN 55403
visit websiteCentral Minnesota Legal Services is a non-profit civil legal services law firm. Our mission is to increase access to
justice by providing high quality legal services to individuals experiencing poverty and
empowering community members to participate in our civil legal system. We believe in a legal system that delivers
justice to all. Our vision is for a society free from bias and systemic unfairness in which everyone is treated with
dignity and respect, and justice is readily available regardless of ability to pay. We receive federal funding through grants from the Legal Services Corporation, as well as funding from the State of Minnesota and other sources.
justice by providing high quality legal services to individuals experiencing poverty and
empowering community members to participate in our civil legal system. We believe in a legal system that delivers
justice to all. Our vision is for a society free from bias and systemic unfairness in which everyone is treated with
dignity and respect, and justice is readily available regardless of ability to pay. We receive federal funding through grants from the Legal Services Corporation, as well as funding from the State of Minnesota and other sources.
Primary Area of Practice
Core Poverty Law Practice Areas: Family Law, Landlord-Tenant, Public Benefits/Income Maintenance, and Criminal Expungement.
Training Provided
Fellows will receive standard onboarding procedures for attorneys, which will include introduction to office resources and practices, a broad overview of case practice areas, and strategic observation of staff and clinics. Ongoing training on substantive practice areas will be provided by supervising attorneys through casework and individual projects. Fellows are also encouraged to attend weekly presentations and events organized for clerks in conjunction with our sister law firm, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid.
Pro Bono & Community Involvement
Working at CMLS is a full-time focus on pro bono-type cases. We offer opportunities to engage in community outreach events as well as community clinics.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are fundamental to the work that CMLS does, both internally and in greater service to our clients. CMLS has a DEI committee which hosts open meetings every other week as well as arranging other events and trainings.
Summer Clerkship Description
CCMLS offers students the opportunity to work side-by-side with attorneys on a variety of case types that interest them the most. Our ten staff attorneys and three supervising attorneys serve individuals and families with low income in Hennepin and Anoka Counties, primarily in the areas of family and housing law, as well as public benefits and criminal expungement work. Our attorneys appear in court frequently, and student attorneys will have the opportunity to work on a variety of cases at all stages of litigation - from client interviews and advice, investigation, witness prep, negotiations, and appearances at trial itself. Student interest is taken into account when choosing specific projects and cases to work on.
Successful Candidate Description
Commitment to asserting the legal rights of those who cannot afford a private attorney. Curiosity and openness to learning both substantive law and advocacy. With appropriate supports, willingness to work with clients experiencing trauma.
Summer Clerkship Salary & Benefits
$641.25 per week, for up to ten full weeks ($19/hour at 33.75-hour work weeks). Office hours are 8:15 a.m.-4:30 p.m., M-Th, and 8:15-noon on Fridays. Flexible and hybrid work schedules are available, consistent with policy and needs of the office. Emergency Sick and Safety leave accrues at one hour for every 30 hours worked.
