Our Pro Bono Projects

ILCM is proud to have partnered with law firms and private attorneys in order to create three pro bono projects that complement our goal of providing low income immigrants and their families with legal assistance and advocacy for the immigrant community. Through these projects we are able to not only give attorneys a chance to give back to those in need, but also allow us to give aid to an even greater number of people.

Pro bono attorneys can earn Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits by representing our pro bono clients. Please visit the Minnesota Board of Continuing Legal Education's website for more information.

The Naturalization Project: Citizenship through naturalization provides stability and opportunity for immigrant families. Attorneys in this program are trained in naturalization law to represent pre-screened clients before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service. Naturalization is an administrative process, requiring no courtroom experience.

The Litigation Project: Impact appellate litigation has the potential to positively affect large numbers of immigrants. Attorneys in this program are matched with and work in close concert alongside an experienced immigration attorney to represent clients during the appellate process before the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Board of Immigration Appeals. Pro bono attorneys representing our clients will be invovled in preparing any necessary motions and the appellate brief.

On October 28, 2009, Latham & Watkins and Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota held a teleconference/webinar on Gang-based Asylum Claims after Matter of S-E-G-. Please visit this link provided by Immigration Advocates Network to hear the audio and view the power point presentation.

The Crime Victim Relief Project: Victims of crime are eligible for what is known as a "U-Visa" under the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (VTVPA). Most, but not all, of our clients seeking U-Visas are women and children who are the victims of sexual or domestic violence. Attorneys in this project will be trained in the assist eligible immigrants in obtaining their U-Visa via the administrative process, and receive ongoing support from ILCM during that process.

Upcoming Pro Bono Project Events and Trainings

How You Can Help

Law Firms: The support of law firms is an integral component of our pro bono projects. Firms provide space and sponsorship for our training sessions for pro bono attorneys. They also are vital in helping us recruit new volunteer attorneys, and in promoting our programs. Firms are also able to support the project through financial sponsorship, giving us the ability to increase the size and scope of our efforts.

Immigration Attorneys: Immigration attorneys are able to help in any number of ways. By training and mentoring other pro bono attorneys from other areas of the law more immigrants receive more help. By representing clients with particularly complex immigration issues they give expert counsel to immigrants who might otherwise have none. In special situations, such as an ICE raid, seasoned practitioners are vital in helping ILCM respond.

Litigators: These specialists are a major part of our Litigation Project, which focuses on impact litigation before the Board of Immigration Appeals and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. These cases can have a significant affect beyond the immediate client, and veteran litigators are invaluable to the project. Furthermore, litigators are able to help clients whose cases may involve complex legal, civil, and constitutional issues thanks to their experience in the courtroom.

All Attorneys: Every attorney can take part in our pro bono projects, regardless of their experience level. Our projects are designed for attorneys with little to no experience in immigration law. Through our CLE accredited training and education and our framework of support for pro bono attorneys, we work hard to make sure that every attorney can make a real contribution to their clients.

What You Can Expect From Us

• CLE accredited training
• Regular updates and postings
• Sample materials, including form letters, briefs, and motions
• Ongoing legal support throughout the case
• Carefully screened, relief eligible cases
• Networking with other legal professionals through lunches and other events
• Spotlights in our newsletter and website for pro bono attorneys
  

What We Expect From You

• Attendance at the requisite CLE training prior to accepting a case through our projects
• Time commitment as required by project
• Quality legal representation for our clients
• Respectful and professional treatment of our clients
• Promotion of the project and ILCM to your peers
  

We offer CLE approved trainings on a regular basis, align the attorney's skills with a pre-screened case and offer ongoing legal support throughout the case. To become a member of the Pro Bono Project's team of law firms and attorneys, please contact Cynthia Anderson at ILCM at (651) 641-1011 x 212 or via email at Cynthia.Anderson@ilcm.org