Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota (LASNEM) is a non-profit regional law firm and has been the legal aid provider to the northeastern region of Minnesota since 1952. In that time, it has become an integral part of the justice system and a cornerstone of the community’s commitment to the proposition that equal access to justice is a basic human right.
LASNEM opens the doors of the justice system to the most vulnerable in our community. Our staff provide critical civil legal representation to people in poverty in matters that impact their security, safety, and well-being.
LASNEM consists of a staff program and Private Attorney Involvement (PAI) program.
LASNEM offices are located in Brainerd, Duluth, Grand Rapids, Pine City, and Virginia. LASNEM’s service area encompasses Aitkin, Carlton, Cass, Cook, Crow Wing, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Pine, and St. Louis counties.
If you need help with a civil legal issue, please call our office at (800) 933-1112 or apply online for services.
What is civil legal aid?
Civil legal aid is the assistance of counsel and legal advocacy for people living at or near poverty in legal matters that fall outside of the criminal justice system. For people facing civil legal challenges, such as evictions, foreclosure, domestic abuse, or denial of government assistance, navigating the justice system without a lawyer can be impossible.
Civil legal aid assures fairness for all in the justice system, regardless of how much money you have. It provides access to legal help for people to protect their livelihoods, their health, and their families. Civil legal aid makes it easier to access information — whether through easy-to-understand forms, including online forms; legal assistance or representation; and legal self-help centers — so people can know their rights.
Civil legal aid also helps streamline the court system and cuts down on court costs. We need programs like civil legal aid to ensure justice for all, not only for the few who can afford it.
Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota receives generous financial support from a broad spectrum of funding providers. In addition to our state, federal and local government funding, we have received long-term support from numerous foundations, United Ways, and other charitable organizations.
Despite this generous support from so many sources, the need for legal services far outstrips our ability to provide it. We are forced to turn away more and more people who ask us for help because we don’t have the staff to serve them. You can support LASNEM’s work by making a donation today.
LASNEM’s services, benefits, and facilities are for use by all people. LASNEM does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.
