MJF is a nonprofit organization.Donate now to support access to justice for all. Donations are tax deductible.
For Students
Volunteer your time on a project in an area of law that matches your interests and strengths. In doing so, you make a difference for low-income Minnesotans who might otherwise go under-represented.
For Attorneys
Public interest and pro bono attorneys working with low-income clients may request the assistance of law students through MJF. Law students help with client intake and interviewing, community legal education, courtroom representation, fact investigation, legal research and writing, government paperwork, or special projects. Law students work on a weekly basis throughout the semester or help with a specific case or project.
Our Programs
MJF helps meet the legal needs of low-income Minnesotans through three primary tracks: the Law School Public Service Program (LSPSP); the Summer Fellowship Program (SFP); and Street Law.
About Us
In 1982, law students concerned about access to justice for low-income Minnesotans founded MJF. These visionary students believed that lawyers and law students have a special professional obligation to provide quality legal services to those who cannot afford legal representation. MJF developed a broad vision in the mid-1980s as civil legal service providers were suffering massive cutbacks in federal funding; in response to this crisis, MJF created volunteer and Summer Fellowship programs, establishing the organization’s commitment to provide law student assistance to public interest and pro bono attorneys working in the community.
GET TO KNOW MJFSummer Fellowship Program
The Summer Fellowship Program draws on generous community support to provide funds for Minnesota law students who work as summer fellows at public interest law offices.
These are the Summer 2025 fellowship sites:
Anishinabe Legal Services
Central Minnesota Legal Services – Minneapolis office
Children’s Law Center of Minnesota
Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
International Institute of Minnesota
Legal Assistance of Dakota County, Ltd.
Legal Rights Center
Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota – Moorhead office
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid – St. Cloud office
Minnesota Disability Law Center
Minnesota Land Trust – Legal Department
Southern Minnesota Legal Services – Mankato office
Southern Minnesota Legal Services – St. Paul office, Housing Unit