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Justice North Private Attorney Involvement Program

Justice North's Private Attorney Involvement Program (PAI) offers high quality legal services to eligible low-income clients in civil matters. Case priorities are those areas of law that impact an individual's safety, stability, or security. Services include opportunities for both full representation and legal advice. In addition to pro bono opportunities, volunteer attorneys can also sign up for the Judicare panel that consists of private attorneys who are compensated by Justice North at a reduced hourly rate.

How much time will I need to spend? Is it at a set time?
Every case is different – advice consultations are phone calls and take between 15 minutes to a half hour depending on the complexity of the matter.  Clients are informed of the level of placement when the placement materials are sent to level set expectations. PAI is happy to work with volunteers to allow them to engage as much or as little as they choose including time out of rotation to accommodate their schedule.

What training or support is available?

PAI offers mentoring from other volunteer attorneys and Legal ParaProfessional in a variety of legal practice areas. PAI also provides volunteers with ongoing training opportunities from several sources, reduced tuition to MSBA institutes like the Family Law Institute and Elder Law Institute, and free training/CLEs through Justice North.

What skills will I develop doing this work?

Volunteering with PAI provides attorneys and Legal ParaProfessionals a chance to give back to their community at a level they choose.  Development of new skills in different areas of civil legal matters of their choice is welcome and encouraged.  PAI is happy to work with volunteers to allow them to engage as much or as little as they choose and in the areas they choose.

Who can volunteer?

Attorneys (including retired) in good standing/licensed in Minnesota and Legal ParaProfessionals registered with the LPP Program.

How does client placement work?

Our pro bono coordinator emails the attorney to check for conflicts and if clear, the?client's contact information. The client is sent the attorney’s information and instructed to reach out and make an appointment.? After the consultation is complete, the volunteer will provide PAI with the advice given and their time total on the matter.  PAI tracks all volunteer time and reports it to them at year.

What happens if the client doesn’t contact me?

PAI will follow up with the volunteer to see if the client has contacted them. If they have not, PAI will send a get in touch correspondence to the client (mail/email/text) with a deadline. If there is no contact after that, the file will be closed.

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