Two years ago, Angela Davis with MPR News spoke with three guests about tackling Minnesota’s medical debt burden, and the State’s plans to change how that debt is handled by providers and the courts. One of the guests was Laura Orr, staff attorney with the Minnesota Elder Justice Center, and a former elder law attorney at Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS). Laura was joined by Allison Sesso, president and CEO of RIP Medical Debt, a national nonprofit organization that uses donations to buy and forgive medical debt, and Kim Miller, a certified financial counselor with LSS Financial Counseling, a service of Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota.

Last month, the Hennepin County Attorney’s office announced a new policy that will ease and hasten the process of acquiring both U and T visas for noncitizen crime victims. To address the fear of deportation that keeps many noncitizens from reporting crimes, it is hoped the new guidelines will encourage those who may be victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or trafficking, to contact authorities and seek help.

Legal Services State Support is happy to announce its newly redesigned website for the legal aid community — www.mnlegalservices.org. The new site brings a fresh appearance and fewer clicks to get to familiar content, as well as the ability to become a member of the site for access to on-demand training and other exclusive content when available.

Laura Isenor, staff attorney with the Education Law Advocacy Project at Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS), logged an important decision for her client at the Minnesota Court of Appeals last month. Isenor filed a special education complaint to the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) in August regarding the suspension of a student with an emotional disturbance for which no written notice was given.

On February 8, 2024, outstanding individuals and teams were honored for their exemplary legal work by Minnesota Lawyer. The 2023 Attorney of the Year Awards were presented at the Quincy Hall in northeast Minneapolis, where the winners were celebrated for their contributions. Sharon Jones, executive director of Legal Assistance of Dakota County (LADC), was among those individuals recognized as an Attorney of the Year.

Katy Drahos, access to justice director at the Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA), spoke at a February 9th press conference about the Bar’s Consumer Debt Litigation Report alongside Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, legislators, and Minnesotans affected by the burden of unfair medical debt. The press conference was held to preview medical debt solution proposals, notably the Minnesota Debt Fairness Act discussed by AG Ellison.

To celebrate and honor the achievements and contributions African Americans have made in the United States, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) will recognize some of the extraordinary Black attorneys who have made an impact in Minnesota.

In the latest issue of Minnesota Medicine, the frustration, fear, and anger resulting from “Medicaid unwinding” is discussed with Ralonda Mason, supervising attorney at the Saint Cloud office of Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (MMLA). Along with others, Mason explains the complicated process of eligibility determinations and the toll on clients who were mistakenly denied coverage.

Following a nationwide search that began in October, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid’s Board of Directors has confirmed Milo Mumgaard as the organization’s pick to take the reins as executive director, effective Feb. 26.

Mumgaard, a native of Nebraska, will come to MMLA—the state’s largest nonprofit law firm—having helmed legal aid organizations in Nebraska and Arkansas.