http://www.mnparticipationproject.org/index.php/Voter-Mobilization/August-10-Primary-Election.html

MMLA’s Board and Leadership Team will be coordinating the transition process over the next several months.

St. Cloud Area Legal Services (SCALS) office is seeking an immigration attorney. SCALS provides free legal services to low-income people and is funded by the United Way, state programs, and private foundations.

BACKGROUND: SCALS is a nine-attorney office which provides civil representation to low income people in nine suburban and rural counties. The office receives funding from a variety of public and private sources and enjoys strong support from the organized bar. St. Cloud is a city of 50,000, located on the Mississippi River, about 70 miles northwest of Minneapolis - St. Paul. There are three colleges and universities in the community, increasing the availability of a variety of speakers and cultural events.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The attorney will provide assistance to low-income individuals on immigration law issues. Representation can include service work, complex litigation, legislative/administrative advocacy, and community education as appropriate to client needs.

QUALIFICATIONS: Concern for the needs and rights of low-income persons is required. Immigration law experience is preferred. Second language ability a plus. Diverse economic, social, or cultural experiences are a plus. Fundamental knowledge of Windows and Office products required. Applicant must be licensed or willing to take the next Minnesota bar exam. Admitted attorneys from other states can get temporary pre-exam admission.

The person hired will be a part of a team, and will help other staff as required to meet client service needs.

DEADLINE

Applications will be taken until position is filled.  Send resume and cover letter to:

Legal Aid
P.O. Box 886
St. Cloud, Minnesota 56302

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
No Agencies. No Calls.

June 29, 2010

POSITION: The Minnesota Disability Law Center (MDLC) seeks a full-time Attorney or Legal Advocate in northwestern Minnesota to represent children, youth and adults with mental illness. Primary areas of practice include community-based services and health care issues. This position will also represent persons with disabilities who seek or are receiving aid from Minnesota’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) and State Services for the Blind (SSB).

BACKGROUND: MDLC is a statewide project of the Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis (LASM), which receives federal funding to serve as Minnesota’s Protection and Advocacy system and Client Assistance Project (CAP) for persons with disabilities. LASM performs these functions through MDLC. MDLC’s main office is in Minneapolis with other offices in Duluth, Grand Rapids, and Mankato. An office in northwestern Minnesota will be established for this position.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The person hired for this position will provide advice to eligible clients; participate in negotiations with school, county and state agency staff; investigating abuse and neglect; represent clients in administrative proceedings; and, if an attorney, engage in litigation. This person will also represent eligible clients in meetings with RS and SSB and represent clients in mediations, administrative reviews, and appeals. This position will involve some travel.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION ACTIVITIES: Both individually and in cooperation with other MDLC staff, the person in this position will develop and present community education programs for clients, advocates, and service providers on disability law issues.

QUALIFICATIONS: This position requires excellent oral and written communication skills, negotiation skills, and the ability to work as part of a team. The person in this position must be able to communicate with clients, service providers, and medical professionals. For attorney applicants, experience and/or interest in litigation is necessary. Knowledge of disability laws, familiarity with service systems and the Medicaid system, and/or experience in providing services to individuals with disabilities are preferred. Proficiency using Microsoft Windows and Office required. Spanish-speaking skills; connections with local northwestern Minnesota communities; and diverse economic, social, or cultural experiences are preferred.

COMPENSATION: The starting salary, depending on qualifications and experience, will not exceed $48,340. Benefits include family health insurance.

TO APPLY: Send a letter and resume to: Pam Cunningham, MDLC, 430 First Avenue North, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1780.

Deadline: July 20, 2010 or until filled. No calls please.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
Minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are urged to apply.

Petitions are now being circulated in Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth to put an issue on the November 2, 2010 election ballot that, if passed, will require all registered voters to present a valid photo ID when voting in municipal elections. The measures would apply to city elections only, not state or federal. They would not apply to absentee ballots. A photo ID requirement may have the effect of disenfranchising some voters with disabilities.

Roughly 10 % of people with disabilities do not have a photo ID that would allow them to vote, and they would face significant barriers to getting one. People with disabilities who do not drive may have trouble getting to a government office to get an ID. The petition proposals say that the cost of getting a photo ID will be paid by the cities if the person cannot afford it, but the supporting documents for getting an ID card-Birth Certificate, marriage licenses, etc.-can be costly and time consuming to track down.

The deadline for the ballot petitions to be submitted is July 6, 2010, in all three cities. However, at its July 14 city commission meeting, Duluth may also consider a charter amendment that would institute the photo ID requirement without the petition process being completed.

I have attached an informational flyer prepared by the Voting Rights Coalition, a non-partisan coalition whose purpose is to promote voting rights and civic engagement. Please share this information and the flyer with your organizations and others as appropriate. If you would like more detailed information regarding the petition process, please contact me at phoopes@midmnlegal.org , or 612-746-3711.

Please click here for the Voting Rights Coalition’s flyer - Don’t Sign Away Our Neighbor’s Right to Vote!

LEGAL ASSISTANT/INTERPRETER - Job Announcement

St. Cloud Area Legal Services (SCALS) office is seeking a legal assistant/interpreter.
SCALS provides free legal services to low-income people and is funded by the United Way, state programs, and private foundations.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Somali/English language oral interpreting ability
• Answer and screen office phone calls
• Working knowledge and ability to use computer with Microsoft Windows
• Working knowledge and ability to use Microsoft Word and Outlook
• Excellent communication skills
• Self-motivated individual

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Familiarity using a legal case management system, Practice Manager
• Somali written language translating ability

DUTIES

• Somali language interpreting
• Screening, interviewing, and casework with clients
• Occasional answering and screening office phone call
• Typing legal documents and correspondence forms
• Processing case files

The person hired will be a part of a team, and will help other staff as required to meet client service needs.

DEADLINE
Applications will be taken until position is filled.

Send resume and cover letter to:
Legal Aid
P.O. Box 886
St. Cloud, Minnesota 56302

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
No Agencies. No Calls.

The Fund for the Legal Aid Society celebrated its 29th annual Law Day Testimonial Dinner on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at the Minneapolis Hilton. Nearly 1,000 guests honored Arvonne and Don Fraser for their lifetime commitment to public service. World-renowned best-selling author, speaker and legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin spoke about his latest book, The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court.

Contributions from The Annual Law Day Dinner support our mission to advocate for the legal rights of disadvantaged people to have safe, healthy and independent lives in strong communities. In 2009, charitable donations helped us to serve over 11,000 of our communities most vulnerable residents gain access to the legal services and advocacy they deserve.

Our most sincere thanks to our generous supporters.