Public Notice Detail
The Minnesota Supreme Court Invites Applications to Serve on the Legal Paraprofessional Program Standing Committee
Posted: Tuesday, October 8, 2024
The Minnesota Supreme Court invites Minnesotans to apply for appointment to the Legal Paraprofessional Program Standing Committee. The Legal Paraprofessional Program was established by order of the Minnesota Supreme Court issued September 16, 2024. The Legal Paraprofessional Program is one of the Minnesota Supreme Court’s initiatives designed to expand access to our legal system to Minnesotans who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. Under the Legal Paraprofessional Program, non-lawyer legal professionals who meet defined ethical, educational and experience requirements may provide advice to and/or appear in court in housing and eviction disputes, in certain family law proceedings, in proceedings seeking orders for and harassment restraining orders, in proceedings seeking expungement of criminal records, in conciliation court, in certain consumer debt and student loan debt cases, in petty misdemeanor cases under certain conditions, in certain probate and estate administration cases, and in certain administrative proceedings before the Office of Administrative Hearings, the Department of Employment and Economic Development, and the Department of Human Services Appointments will be made by December 1, 2024.
The Legal Paraprofessional Pilot Program Standing Committee will oversee implementation of the program, including outreach to the community about the program, review applications for certification submitted by paraprofessional candidates, and track continuing legal education requirements for legal paraprofessionals. The Program will also monitor and evaluate the program. The Program Committee will also be required to file periodic reports with the court. Further information about the Program Committee’s responsibilities can be found in the court’s order authorizing the committee,
see Order Amending Rules Governing Legal Paraprofessional Pilot Project, ADM19-8002 (Minn. filed Sept. 16, 2024).
The Minnesota Supreme Court is seeking applications from members of the general public, lawyers, paralegals, and judicial officers, including individuals with experience in any of the listed case areas. The Minnesota Supreme Court is also looking for individuals who have experienced challenges accessing the court system or who have worked with such individuals, who have experience in outreach to consumers, and who have experience designing innovative approaches to market failures in legal and non-legal areas.
Applicants interested in appointment must submit a letter of interest and resume. Application materials should be sent to Christa Rutherford-Block, Clerk of the Appellate Courts, via e-mail at
mjcappellateclerkofcourt@courts.state.mn.us or via U. S. Mail at 305 Judicial Center, 25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.
E-mail applications are preferred, but whether sent by U.S. Mail or electronically, all applications must be received by the Clerk no later than 4:30 pm on
Friday, November 1, 2024.
Questions regarding committee membership should be directed to Kayla Dube at
kayla.dube@courts.state.mn.us