Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota (LASNEM) was originally founded in 1952 as Legal Aid Service of Duluth. According to the original charter, the organization was created by members of the local bar association to provide “legal advice and service to those among the people of Duluth, Minnesota, who are unable to afford legal counsel.” Over the years, that core mission has been expanded to embrace the entire northeastern region of Minnesota. LASNEM 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.
LASNEM’s service area encompasses Aitkin, Carlton, Cass, Cook, Crow Wing, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Pine, and St. Louis counties. We have five offices located across the region: Brainerd, Duluth, Grand Rapids, Pine City, and Virginia. The administrative offices, Private Attorney Involvement (PAI) Program, and Senior Citizens Law Project are located within the Duluth office.
LASNEM opens the doors of the justice system to the most vulnerable in our community. Our staff provides critical legal representation to people in poverty in matters that impact their security, safety, and well-being.