Legal Paraprofessional Pilot Project

Minnesota’s Legal Paraprofessional Pilot Project is intended to increase access to civil legal representation in case types where one or both parties typically appear without legal representation. The Minnesota Supreme Court adopted Court Rule amendments on September 29, 2020, which authorize the Pilot Project, effective March 1, 2021 through March 2023. 
 
The Pilot Project permits legal paraprofessionals, under the supervision of a Minnesota licensed attorney, to provide legal advice and, in some cases, represent a client in court in two legal areas: landlord-tenant disputes and family law disputes.

If you are a party in a landlord-tenant dispute or a family law matter and would like to contact a legal paraprofessional to inquire about your legal matter, please visit the "Roster" tab on this page to find an approved legal paraprofessional near you. The roster of providers will increase over time, so a legal paraprofessional may not currently be available near your location or in the type of legal assistance you need.

 

Legal paraprofessionals and supervising attorneys must be approved and on the Pilot Project Roster before representing clients, including appearing in Minnesota courts, under the authority of Supervised Practice Rule 12. 

By submitting an application to the Standing Committee, applicants acknowledge that they have read and understand the requirements set forth in Rule 12, and that they will comply with the requirements after approval.

Applicants also acknowledge that they understand they are participating in the Pilot Project which is expected to end in March 2023. While participating in the Pilot Project, participants will keep records and track information as requested by the Standing Committee for use in the ongoing and final evaluation of the Pilot Project. 

Applications are processed when the application is complete and all rquired documentation is received. The application form and instructions includes a list of required documentation. Approval notifications are sent by email to the legal paraprofessional and the supervising attorney. 

If you do not understand the information in the application form and instructions, contact the Standing Committee using the form on the Contact Us tab.

Application Form and Instructions
Attorney Attestation Form
Written Agreement with Supervising Attorney - sample
Certificate of Representation and Parties and Authorization to Appear in Court form

Send completed applications and all required attachments to the Standing Commitee by email to parapropilot@courts.state.mn.us or by U.S. Mail to:

Legal Paraprofessional Pilot Project Standing Committee
Attention: Kim Larson
25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Suite 105
Saint Paul, MN 55155

Legal paraprofessionals and supervising attorneys approved to participate in the Pilot Project are listed on the Roster of Approved Legal Paraprofessionals.

General Pilot Project Questions

What is the Standing Committee?
The Standing Committee, established in November 2020, is responsible for Pilot Project oversight, including review and approval of applications, maintenance of the participant roster, review of and decisions on complaints, and Pilot Project evaluation and reporting. Standing Committee membership is listed on the Standing Committee tab.

How long is the pilot?
The Pilot Project is currently scheduled to end in March 2023.
 

Application Questions

How do I apply for the Pilot Project?
To apply for the Pilot Project, please complete the application packet and submit it to the Standing Committee for review.

Can I apply for the pilot if I do not meet the minimum qualifications?
No. Please review Supervised Practice Rule 12 for the requirements to participate in the Pilot Project.

Can I apply for the program if I do not have a supervising attorney?
No. See Supervised Practice Rule 12 and the application form and instructions for more information about application requirements.

What happens after I submit my application?
The Standing Committee will review every application and approve or deny the application. Legal paraprofessional and supervising attorney applicants will receive notification of approval or denial by email. If approved, the applicants names and contact information will be added to the Roster of Approved Legal Paraprofessionals. Legal paraprofessionals may begin providing expanded paraprofessional services as established in Supervised Practice Rule 12 once approved and added to the Roster.

The Legal Paraprofessional Pilot Project complaint process and forms will be available when legal paraprofessional and supervising attorney applicants are approved to participate by the Standing Committee and the roster is published.

The Legal Paraprofessional Pilot Project Standing Committee, established by Court order in November 2020, will oversee the Pilot effort and evaluate its success in meeting the goal of improving access to legal services. The following persons have been appointed by Supreme Court Order to serve as members of the Standing Committee for the Legal Paraprofessional Pilot Project. 
 

Committee Chair

• Gregory L. Richard, Professor at Winona State University

Committee Members

• Liz Altmann, Altmann Paralegal Services, LLC
• Tiffany Doherty-Schooler, Director of Advocacy at Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota
• Rebecca Hare, Public Health Law Center
• Honorable Thomas R. Lehmann, Tenth Judicial District Court Judge
• James J. Long, Maslon LLP
• Susan J. Mundahl, Mundahl Law, PLLC
• Maren Schroeder, NFPA Director of Positions & Issues
• Associate Justice Paul Thissen, Minnesota Supreme Court Liaison

Supreme Court Orders (ADM19-8002)

Order Appointing the Standing Committee, December 1, 2020
Order Implementing Legal Paraprofessional Pilot Project, September 29, 2020
 

Court Rules and Related Boards

Supervised Practice Rule 12
Appendix 1 to Rule 12 of the Supervised Practice Rules
Minnesota Board of Law Examiners
 

Other News and Information

Legal Paraprofessional Pilot Project Fact Sheet (PDF)
Supreme Court authorizes two-year pilot to expand role of legal paraprofessionals, October 8, 2020
Legal Paraprofessional Pilot Project Launches, March 1, 2021

Send an email using our contact form

or contact us by U.S. Mail at:
Legal Paraprofessional Pilot Project Standing Committee
Attention: Kim Larson
25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Suite 105
Saint Paul, MN 55155