The Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) is proud to recognize members who provide 50 or more hours of pro bono legal services per year, and these members are designated as North Star Lawyers. More than just personal recognition, certifying as a North Star Lawyer shows your peers that pro bono is important, valuable, and possible in today's busy world. The MSBA is committed to reducing barriers to civil justice for low-income Minnesotans by connecting members with opportunities to serve legal services clients. Through presentations, trainings, recognition, and articles, the MSBA promotes the value and importance of pro bono work, as expressed in Rule 6.1 of the Rules of Professional Conduct.

The deadline for certifying your 2024 pro bono hours is March 15, 2025. Certified North Star Lawyers are included on the MSBA’s annual roster published in Bench & Bar of Minnesota magazine, and if you enter where you provided your pro bono service, Minnesota State Bar Foundation (MSBF) grantee organizations will be entered in a drawing for a $5,000 North Star grant. Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services was the 2023 grant recipient.

Read more and certify here: North Star Lawyer.