Fall 2018: SMRLS Insider

‌

SMRLS Insider

What's new at SMRLS?

Congratulations to Laura Jelinek, SMRLS' new Metro Region Senior Leadership Attorney

Beginning on November 1, firm-wide housing leader, Laura Jelinek, will become the new Metro Region Senior Leadership Attorney. Ms. Jelinek is taking the position currently held by Steve Wolfe, who is retiring at the end of October after 36 years at SMRLS.

"I am excited about working with all the energetic and creative staff that make up the region," Ms. Jelinek says. "I am looking forward to implementing SMRLS' Strategic Plan in the Metro Region."

Ms. Jelinek is a passionate lawyer and is well-connected with community partners and bar and judicial leaders in the region. In her new position, Ms. Jelinek will work closely with Charles Thomas, SMRLS' Director of Litigation and Advocacy, to embolden staff to do their best work.

"As the regional leader I will encourage and inspire staff to ensure our legal work is positively impacting the client community and is responsive to client needs," Ms. Jelinek says.

Ramsey County Housing Court Clinic

Low income tenants are now able to obtain free legal advice from volunteer attorneys at their first appearance on the housing calendar in Ramsey County.

This clinic is a collaboration between SMRLS, the Volunteer Lawyers Network, Ramsey County Emergency Assistance and the Dispute Resolution Center. In addition to legal advice, clients can also learn if they are eligible for emergency financial assurance from Ramsey County, and are able to meet with mediators to resolve their case.

The majority of tenants that appear in housing court are unrepresented and often ill-prepared to obtain a favorable result in their case. Meeting with an attorney before their hearing allows tenants to know what their options are, and to better advocate for themselves.

We are still looking for volunteer attorneys to help us staff the clinic . The clinic shifts are Tuesdays and Thursday mornings, 8:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. No experience is necessary. SMRLS will provide all the training and support needed. For more information, contact Andrea Palumbo at 651-894-6934 or [email protected].

2018 Fall Appreciation Luncheon

Registration is now open for our annual Fall Appreciation Luncheon on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel. Click here to register today!

Annual Report Available Online

Our 2017 Annual Report is available to download from the SMRLS website. The Annual Report details our work, achievements, and events from the past year. Click here to read now.

SMRLS in the News

SMRLS Healthcare-Legal Partnership

One of SMRLS’ Healthcare-Legal Partnerships in Saint Paul was recently featured in the Star Tribune . Brianna Boone, SMRLS’ staff attorney for our Healthcare-Legal Partnership at Children’s Minnesota, explains how this innovative partnership works and its tremendous benefits for our clients. Click here to read the full interview .

In addition to our Healthcare-Legal Partnership at Children's Minnesota, SMRLS has similar partnerships at Bethesda Family Medicine Clinic (co-sponsored by the University of Minnesota) in St. Paul and at Open Door Health Center in Mankato.

SMRLS Wins Mayo Clinic Award

We’re excited to announce that our Eviction Prevention project won the 2018 Mayo Clinic Shared Value Award ! This collaboration with Lutheran Social Service of MN , Legal Assistance of Olmsted County and Olmsted County District Court aims to alleviate financial stress and mental health problems caused by housing evictions.

Thanks to a grant sponsored by the Mayo Clinic , the Eviction Prevention project will receive $50,000 to help up to 100 families in Olmsted County. Thank you to the Mayo Clinic and everyone who voted for this important project!

Divorce Clinics Update

SMRLS offers divorce clinics throughout our service area to assist clients in completing their pro se divorce pleadings. Clients must meet income and asset eligibility. More than 200 clients participated in the divorce clinics in 2017.

We have volunteer attorneys on site to answer the clients’ legal questions and to review and ensure the paperwork is completed correctly. Law students also attend and volunteer their time by assisting the clients with inputting data onto their divorce forms. Our Volunteer Attorney Program (VAP) staff assists the clients with the filing and service process in order to get them to their final hearing.

Here are a few comments from our clients:

“Everyone jumped in and did more than expected to help ensure I accurately completed my paperwork. Thank you very much!”

“This was really invaluable! It was a lot of paperwork but having the guidance made it a lot easier and clear.”

“My lawyer was very patient and caring. She answered all my questions … and explained all my options. . . She was great!”

Clinics are held in Austin, Chaska, Mankato, Owatonna, Shakopee, Winona, Worthington and St. Paul. We recently were awarded a grant from the Mower County Law Library to include four additional clinics per year to be held in Austin.

We are very grateful for the many volunteer attorneys who give of their time and participate in these clinics.

Recognition

SMRLS Metro Region Senior Leadership Attorney, Steve Wolfe , is retiring at the end of October after 36 years at SMRLS.

"During my time at SMRLS, I was impressed over and over again with the resilience of clients doing their best against overwhelming odds to take care of their families," Steve says. "One of my fondest memories will be the enjoyment of working as part of a team with such knowledgeable and committed staff members."

Steve will be missed because of his leadership, passion for legal aid, and always friendly attitude with his clients and colleagues.

Steve will be recognized with recent SMRLS retirees Paul Mundt and Gerry Kaluzny at our upcoming Fall Appreciation Luncheon on November 20, 2018.

Join the conversation online!

Donate Now!

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services | (651) 228-9823 | smrls.org