Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services Closes Main Office Under Duress

A mere three weeks ago, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) was informed by their building’s owner that services, including electricity, would be shut off because of unpaid utility bills. With little time to react, the 115-year-old legal services provider was faced with the stress of relocating 72 staff members impacted by the building closure. Though Mayor Carter was able to negotiate keeping the lights on until April 1, SMRLS officially closed its offices in the Alliance Bank Center in St. Paul on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

Most of SMRLS’ work representing clients in civil legal cases was handled through its downtown Alliance Bank Center location for the past 20 years, so finding a new, accessible, and safe location is paramount. Candace Miller Lopez, development director with SMRLS, has estimated $500,000 in unanticipated costs for relocation. Until a new primary location is found, Lopez said the office’s attorneys will work remotely, or from the SMRLS’ smaller satellite offices on University Avenue and Syndicate Street.

SMRLS employees remain committed to representing their clients throughout this disruption and the associated relocation efforts. Their caseload represents essential services to many Ramsey, Dakota, and Washington County residents — including orders for protection, public benefits termination, housing, and unemployment appeals.

Laura Jelinek, attorney and SMRLS’ metro regional leader, said, “We have a really good group of employees who are really dedicated to access to legal services and representing low-income clients. We are not closing intake. We are not saying no to new cases. We are doing all of our casework, and moving boxes at the same time, which is a huge stress on our employees.” Read more in Nonprofit law firm was given just days to move up to 50 offices.