Minnesota Lawyer Interviews MMLA’s New Executive Director

In its Breaking the Ice series, Minnesota Lawyer recently spoke with Milo Mumgaard, the new executive director of Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (MMLA). Mumgaard officially took the reins in late February following a nationwide search that began last October. He previously served as executive director for legal aid programs in Arkansas and Nebraska.

In this interview-as-introduction to the larger legal community, Mumgaard talks about being an extrovert and how his values drove him in the direction of law. Educated at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and New York University School of Law, he mentions what he enjoys most about civil legal aid, challenges and misconceptions, and the importance of mindset for the legal aid lawyer. Mumgaard noted that he’s used MMLA as a model for providing equal justice throughout his legal and public service career.

“Using the law to solve problems and to advance the interests of people who otherwise wouldn’t get the legal help to put the power of law on their side truly is a catalyst to change and a catalyst to good things,” Mumgaard said. Read the full interview Breaking the Ice: Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid chief builds on tradition.