Central Minnesota Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income individuals and families to assist with civil legal issues. CMLS does not charge for legal services. CMLS helps low-income individuals and families get the legal help they need within a 21-county service area throughout central Minnesota.
CMLS serves its clients from offices in Minneapolis, St. Cloud, and Willmar. CMLS operates a robust Volunteer Attorney Program from its offices in St. Cloud and Willmar. We connect local attorneys with eligible clients to provide assistance on civil matters. If you're a licensed attorney looking to get involved, contact us today!
CMLS serves its clients from offices in Minneapolis, St. Cloud, and Willmar. CMLS operates a robust Volunteer Attorney Program from its offices in St. Cloud and Willmar. We connect local attorneys with eligible clients to provide assistance on civil matters. If you're a licensed attorney looking to get involved, contact us today!
Services
History
Report
Seven regional programs - Central Minnesota Legal Services (CMLS), Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (MMLA), Anishinabe Legal Services(ALS), Judicare of Anoka County, Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota (LASNEM), and Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota) together comprise the Minnesota Legal services Coalition (the Coalition) and provide a full range of legal assistance for low-income people in every county in Minnesota.
About
Report
Central Minnesota Legal Services has been providing civil legal services to low-income persons in 21 counties in Central Minnesota for more than 40 years. CMLS helps eligible clients through direct representation, brief advice, and through participating in community legal education programs.
CMLS staff provide legal assistance to low-income individuals and families in 21 Central Minnesota counties from three offices located in Minneapolis, St. Cloud, and Willmar.Our staff attorneys are dedicated to preserving clients' basic needs and protecting them from abuse. In 2015 CMLS assisted over 2,100 individuals and families and helped more than 7,200 additional individuals and families through our self-help clinics.
CMLS staff provide legal assistance to low-income individuals and families in 21 Central Minnesota counties from three offices located in Minneapolis, St. Cloud, and Willmar.Our staff attorneys are dedicated to preserving clients' basic needs and protecting them from abuse. In 2015 CMLS assisted over 2,100 individuals and families and helped more than 7,200 additional individuals and families through our self-help clinics.
Impact
Report
CMLS staff closed 1,753 cases in 2019. Of these, 307 were full representation cases and 1,446 were closed as advice or brief services. CMLS also offers several legal advice clinics, including a Family Law Clinic two times per month in partnership with the Anoka County Law Library. In 2019, CMLS staff provided advice or brief services to 166 individuals in need of legal help.
Internships
Report
Most internships are unpaid unless a student is eligible for work study financial aid or funding under a special funding source. The internships are under the supervision of a licensed attorney. College interns may help interview client applicants, observe attorneys in court proceedings and help the attorney prepare for court, and do special projects that help advance the work of CMLS.
Get Help
Report
CMLS handles civil legal matters for low income people in 21 counties in central Minnesota. We do not handle criminal problems. We refer clients when our staff is unable to handle a case. We make referrals to self-help and volunteer resources. If you are not sure if CMLS would handle your legal issue, please call your local office to apply or get more information.
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