Our Programs
Law School Public Service Program (LSPSP)
Promoting an ethic of public service in Minnesota law students.
Increasing the legal services provided to Minnesota’s low-income populations.
Offering meaningful experiential education opportunities to law students.
MJF works with all 3 Minnesota law schools, the Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA), and legal service providers throughout Minnesota to further this program.
Volunteer
MJF matches interested law students with volunteer opportunities in the Twin Cities metro area and in Greater Minnesota. There are also nationwide remote opportunities. (Icon Minnesota)
Volunteer in a way that fits your needs. Volunteer opportunities have varying time commitments and are available in a wide variety of subject areas. There are in-person, hybrid, and remote volunteer opportunities. (Icon of clock)
The MJF 50 Hour Challenge – Complete 50+ hours of pro bono legal work during law school. Get recognition from your law school for your commitment to public service. (Icon 50)
Benefits
Experience
- Volunteering through MJF introduces students to the real practice of law
- Legal experience sets students apart from other applicants in job interviews
- Volunteering is a low-stakes way to explore a new area of law
Network
- Expand your professional network; find mentorship; gain perspective
Personal Fulfillment
- MJF helps to fill the Justice Gap
- Many low-income Minnesotans face legal problems without access to legal assistance. Volunteer efforts by law students help bridge this critical gap
- Many attorneys cite pro bono cases as their most fulfilling work-–and many students find their volunteer work to be a highlight of their law school experience
Get Involved
- Law students can find volunteer opportunities on the MJF website
- Students can also create their own volunteer opportunities that meet MJF’s standards: To count as MJF hours, the main criteria is that the work be (1) law-related; (2) public interest or public service-related; (3) unpaid; and (4) not for academic credit. Contact your school’s MJF Staff Attorney to confirm a placement’s eligibility
- Participation in MJF’s Street Law program also counts for volunteer hours under LSPSP
Summer Fellowship Program
Fellowship Program Overview
MJF’s longest-running program, the Summer Fellowship Program, creates and funds opportunities for students at law schools in Minnesota to work as summer fellows at public interest law offices. MJF Fellows are placed at legal aid offices and other public interest organizations serving low-income and underrepresented Minnesotans. MJF Summer Fellowships are full-time paid summer experiences, and each fellow performs approximately 10 weeks of full-time work.
Student Application Process
The MJF fellowship applications will be posted in January on the student job board (12twenty) at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, University of Minnesota Law School, and University of St. Thomas School of Law. There will be a separate posting for each fellowship. Application materials should be addressed to the host agency, not MJF.
For Attorneys: Visit the “Apply to Be A Summer Fellowship Host” section of our website for more information on our MJF Fellowship host application and selection process.
Street Law
Overview
Street Law is a national program that MJF administers locally. MJF places law student volunteers into local classrooms to teach middle school, high school and adult students about their legal rights. The law students provide practical, engaging legal education and information about various legal topics including constitutional rights and civic engagement to individuals who might not otherwise have access to such resources. Classes engage in wide-ranging discussions about civics, how laws are created, and understanding the roles of law in society.
Educators: Get Street Law at Your School
MJF accepts requests from local teachers for Street Law volunteers from May 1st-November 15th for spring semester. For more information any time of the year, please contact the Street Law Program Coordinator at stthomas@mnjustice.org. To apply for your classroom to participate in the program, please fill out this Street Law Presenter Request form.
Street Law Timing
Street Law is a spring semester program. Each law school will have an info session for law students during the fall semester, and volunteer training will occur over winter break. If you have any questions about the program, or just want to learn more, please contact the Street Law coordinator at stthomas@mnjustice.org or your school’s MJF staff attorney.