New Volunteer
Orientation
Welcome to VLN.
This 20 minute presentation will give you a brief overview
of VLN and ways you can provide dignity, hope and justice
to those in need.
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Welcome
“With your admission to the bar, you joined a limited and privileged
group of professionals who alone can provide access to the courts
and the protection of the law.
At VLN, you are joining a legal team 1,000+ attorneys strong. You
will protect the basic human needs of struggling individuals and
families in our community. People like Terri, who was in a car crash
and whose insurer did not honor her claim until a lawyer called.
Thank you for your interest in helping others. We look forward to
working with you.”
Suzanne G. Pontinen
Executive Director
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 Volunteer Lawyers Network protects the basic human needs of those
in poverty by connecting them with trained volunteer attorneys.
 We bring hope, dignity, and justice to those who often go without.
Click here to watch a short
video about VLN
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The Difference You can Make
Last year, VLN volunteers:
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Obtained security deposits that had been withheld without cause.
Prevented default judgments on bogus lawsuits.
Enforced legal contracts.
Obtained overdue wages.
Prevented mortgage foreclosures based on illegal practices.
Protected clients from abuse and lack of financial security.
Stopped improper garnishments.
And more . . . .
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Client Story
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Client Story
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New Volunteer Orientation Question 1
 What type of issues do VLN attorneys NOT help
low income clients with?
A: Not being paid wages due.
B: Personal Injury lawsuits.
C: Obtaining custody of children or
grandchildren.
D: Mortgage foreclosures based on illegal
practices.
E: Abusive spouses and lack of safety and
financial security.
New Volunteer Orientation Q1
Incorrect
Our volunteer lawyers assist in the areas of housing, real
estate, family law, civil law, debtor’s rights, bankruptcy,
and other issues common to people in poverty.
Click here for a full list of our legal services.
Try Again
New Volunteer Orientation Q1
Correct
VLN lawyers provide legal services in a most types of
civil issues, such as housing, bankruptcy, family, debt
collection, etc.
Issues that we do not do include personal injury,
criminal matters, worker's compensation, legal or
medical malpractice, or any other fee-generating issues.
Click here for a full list of our legal services.
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Client Needs
 Three quarters of the legal needs of the
disadvantaged remain unaddressed in Minnesota.
¾ - is after VLN’s and Legal Aid’s work. Still
so much to do.
Low-Income families have roughly 1.1 legal issues
per year.
1.1 – any of which can really derail a client’s life.
Why do low income clients have so many so many
legal issues?
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Unless you can get to court,
you cannot access the law’s protections.
And bad people bank on it.
• Those landlords who withhold security deposits or evict tenants
who request repairs..
• Those employers who withhold wages.
• Those insurers, who fail to pay claims.
• Those debt collectors, who ignore garnishment laws.
• Those roommates who refuse to leave.
Any one of which can
destabilize a life already
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on the edge
Client Story
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New Volunteer Orientation Question 2
What are some reasons those in poverty may have difficulty
accessing the protections of the laws?
A: People in poverty often do not know they have a legal
issue (e.g. Safe Housing) .
B: People in poverty often have difficulty getting to court
physically, and have difficulty participating in court (for
example they do not have the vocabulary).
C: Some people (and cultures) may have had experiences
which lead them to distrust the courts
D: All of the above.
New Volunteer Orientation Q2
Incorrect
 It is important to remember there are a number of reasons those in
poverty may have difficulty accessing the protections of the laws.
Try Again
New Volunteer Orientation Q2
Correct
 It is important to remember there are a number of reasons those in
poverty may have difficulty accessing the protections of the laws.
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How do you get a client?
1: Our intake specialist screen callers for eligibility (16,000 calls
per year).
2:You tell us on which issues you would like to help.
3: Our staff members contact you with specific cases.
4: We keep track of your services.
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Last year, our
volunteers
changed more
than 20,000 lives.
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New Volunteer Orientation Question 3
True or False: You can get CLE credits for
volunteering with VLN if you report to VLN the
hours you have worked on a case.
A: True.
B: False.
New Volunteer Orientation Q3
Correct
You can get up to 6 CLE credits per cycle (one credit for
three hours of pro bono work) for volunteering with VLN
as long as you report to VLN the hours you have worked
on a case.
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New Volunteer Orientation Q3
Incorrect
Try Again
VLN Support for your work.
“I want to help but . . . .”
Click on each link to see how VLN supports your work!
I don’t have the time!
I don’t know poverty law.
I don’t have an office or insurance.
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New Volunteer Orientation Question 4
 VLN Staff provide which of the following services to volunteers?
A: Screening prospective clients for income and issue
eligibility.
B: Link clients with attorneys in the areas in which the
attorneys wish to volunteer.
C: Provide malpractice coverage for VLN clients and
cases.
D: All of the above.
New Volunteer Orientation Q4
Sorry! Correct answer is “D – All of the above.”
VLN will provide you with numerous services and
resources including:
Comprehensive resources, manuals, and forms.
Volunteer Mentor Attorneys.
Office space to meet with clients.
Malpractice insurance for any VLN Client. (including clinics).
Visit www.volunteerlawyersnetwork.org for a complete list of
resources.
Try Again
New Volunteer Orientation Q4
Correct
VLN will provide you with numerous services and
resources including:
Comprehensive resources, manuals, and forms.
Volunteer Mentor Attorneys.
Office space to meet with clients.
Malpractice insurance for any VLN Client. (including clinics).
Visit www.volunteerlawyersnetwork.org for a complete list of
resources.
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Ways to volunteer
Below are job descriptions for the most common
volunteer attorney positions.
Click on each one to learn more.
 Full Representation Volunteer Attorney.
 Assisted Pro Se One-on One Workshop Volunteer Attorney.
 Legal Advice Clinic Volunteer Attorney (Walk-in Clinic).
 Mentor Attorney.
 Case/Issue Screening Attorney.
 Phone Advice Attorney.
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What we ask of you.
 Comply with the rules of professional conduct.
 Provide competent representation (including learning any areas of
law new to you).
 Review the representation agreement with your client to ensure you
agree on your services, then return a signed copy to VLN.)
 Keep in touch. (We’ll ask you periodically for updates.)
 Learn enough about poverty and your client’s life to maximize his or
her chances for success in the courtroom.
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In what areas are YOU interested in volunteering?
Some new volunteers find it difficult to decide where to first volunteer.
One way to decide is to pick which area of law you’d like to focus in, and
then which level of service. Click on each area to learn more.
Greatest Need
Other Need
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Bankruptcy
Custody
Divorces
Spanish Legal Services
Immigration
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Admin
Civil/Consumer
Criminal Expungement
Housing
Employment / UC
Real Estate
“Stop Contact” Letters
Bankruptcy
Level of Service
 Full Representation (8-20 hours)
 Phone advice* (1-2 Hours per shift)
 Review cases for merit* (10-30 minutes per case)
 In-person legal advice* (2 hours per shift)
 Mentor Attorney* (2-10 hours)
Please note that services with an asterisk (*) are best provided by an attorney experienced in that
area of law.
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Administrative
Level of Service
 Full Representation (8-20 hours)
 Phone advice* (1-2 Hours per shift)
 Review cases for merit* (10-30 minutes per case)
 Mentor Attorney* (2-10 hours)
Please note that services with an asterisk (*) are best provided by an attorney experienced in that
area of law.
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Civil/Consumer
Level of Service
 Full Representation (8-20 hours)
 Brief services
(e.g., negotiated settlement, phone advocacy) (1-4 hours per case)
 One-on-one Consumer Protection Workshop ( 1 hour per client)
 Review cases for merit* (10-30 minutes per case)
 In-person legal advice* (2 hours per shift)
 Mentor Attorney* (2-10 hours)
Please note that services with an asterisk (*) are best provided by an attorney experienced in that
area of law.
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Divorce
Level of Service
 Full Representation (8-70 hours)
 Phone advice* (1-2 Hours per shift)
 Review cases for merit* (10-30 minutes per case)
 In-person legal advice* (2 hours per shift)
 Mentor Attorney* (2-10 hours)
Please note that services with an asterisk (*) are best provided by an attorney experienced in that
area of law.
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Criminal Expungement
Level of Service
 Full Representation (8-10 hours)
 Phone advice* (30 minutes per case)
 Review cases for merit* (10-30 minutes per case)
 Mentor Attorney* (2-10 hours)
Please note that services with an asterisk (*) are best provided by an attorney experienced in that
area of law.
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Housing
Level of Service
 Full Representation (8-50 hours)
 Phone advice* (1-2 hours per shift)
 In-person legal advice* (3.5 hours per shift)
Please note that services with an asterisk (*) are best provided by an attorney experienced in that
area of law.
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Real Estate
Level of Service
 Full Representation (8-70 hours)
 Phone advice* (1-2 hours per shift)
 In-person legal advice* (2 hours per shift)
Please note that services with an asterisk (*) are best provided by an attorney experienced in that
area of law.
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Employment
Level of Service
 Full Representation (8-20 hours)
 Phone advice* (1-2 Hours per shift)
 Review cases for merit* (10-30 minutes per case)
 In-person legal advice* (2 hours per shift)
 Mentor Attorney* (2-10 hours)
Please note that services with an asterisk (*) are best provided by an attorney experienced in that
area of law.
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Spanish Legal Service Program
 VLN’s Spanish Legal Services Program
provides legal advice or in-person brief services
to Spanish speaking clients.
 We provide a coordinated legal “first
responder” system so Spanish-speaking
individuals receive legal help quickly and
efficiently-without being bounced from
provider to provider.
 Our clients’ largest needs include Consumer,
Employment, Family, Immigration, and
Landlord/Tenant.
 Click Here for more information.
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Full Representation Volunteer Attorney
Responsibilities to Client:
 Contact the client as soon as possible after receiving contact
information but no later than within two weeks of accepting
the case, unless the timing of the case requires immediate
contact.
 Keep the client informed about the status of the case.
 Complete the case, unless there are reasons to withdraw pursuant to the
representation / retainer agreement.
Responsibilities to VLN:
 Complete and return to VLN the VLN Representation Agreement specifying the issues on
which you will be providing services. Ensure the client has checked whether or not he/she
is a U.S. citizen.
 Track hours volunteered on the case.
 Complete VLN Case Closing Form at the end of the representation.
 Include a copy of a final decision or settlement agreement, if any.
For a full description of your responsibilities view the VLN handbook.
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Assisted Pro Se One-on-One Workshop Volunteer Attorney
Areas of Law:
 Civil (Answers, Garnishment Exemption Forms, Discovery).
 Criminal Expungement.
Responsibilities to client:
 Review the case and complete court forms as appropriate
(sometimes with the assistance of a law student or paralegal).
 Review and follow VLN’s descriptions re: how to fulfill attorney ethical obligations in
limited scope service cases.
Responsibilities to VLN:
 Complete client acknowledgement form and return to VLN.
Let staff know if you would like to assist the client beyond the confines of the
workshop.
For a full description of your responsibilities view the VLN handbook.
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Legal Advice Clinic Volunteer Attorney (Walk-in Clinic)
Areas of law:
 Bankruptcy, Civil, Family, Housing.
Responsibilities to Clients:
 Provide written information to client concerning their
legal problems, e.g., generic legal fact sheets whenever
possible.
 Provide a brief service where possible, including making
phone calls, writing letters, getting information from agencies, assisting in filling out
forms, and other limited tasks which may help solve the client’s legal problem.
Responsibilities to VLN:
 Complete both sides of a Clinic Data Sheet for each client you see and return it to your
clinic assistant.
 When completing the Clinic Data Sheet, be accurate and complete in describing the
services you provided the client.
For a full description of your responsibilities view the VLN handbook.
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Mentor Attorney
Areas of law:
 Bankruptcy, Debtor Creditor, Civil, Family.
Responsibilities to Mentee Attorney:
 Make sure there is no conflict of interest on your part with
the client.
 Return phone calls to the mentee within a reasonable time.
 Answer specific questions related to the client’s issue.
 Note: You are NOT required to give an overview of the law; the mentee is expected to
do basic research and reading of the issue.
Responsibilities to VLN:
 Report the hours you spent on the case to VLN.
 Inform VLN if you have any difficulties.
For a full description of your responsibilities view the VLN handbook.
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Case/Issue Screening Attorney
Areas of law:
 Administrative, Civil, Family.
Responsibilities to Clients:
 Take the time to thoroughly understand the strengths
and weaknesses of the client’s case.
 Provide VLN staff with your honest evaluation.
 (If applicable) Provide legal advice to the client in cases in which there is not
sufficient merit to assign a full representation volunteer.
Responsibilities to VLN:
 Please complete the screening within one week of receiving the client’s information,
so that VLN staff may timely complete the next appropriate step.
For a full description of your responsibilities view the VLN handbook.
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Phone Advice Attorney
Areas of law:
 Bankruptcy, Civil, Debtor/Creditor, Employment, General.
Responsibilities to Client:
 Explain the legal proceedings and help the client better
understand his or her rights and options.
 Discuss the consequences of the legal actions the client may take.
Responsibilities to VLN:
 Inform VLN when you have called the client and give a brief summary of the nature
of your advice.
For a full description of your responsibilities view the VLN handbook.
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New Volunteer Orientation Question 5
 Who Benefits from your Services?
A: Your client, who will have a chance at equal
justice that he/she would otherwise not have.
B: Our community, which benefits when all have a
fair chance at housing, jobs, and economic
stability.
C: Our courts, which can administer justice more
efficiently and effectively.
D: Our profession, which has a long and honored
tradition of service.
E: All of the above.
New Volunteer Orientation Q5
Your services benefit:
 Your client, who will have a chance at equal
justice that he/she would otherwise not have.
 Our community, which benefits when all have
a fair chance at housing, jobs, and economic stability.
 Our courts, which can administer justice more
efficiently and effectively.
 Our profession, which has a long and honored
tradition of service.
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THANK YOU for completing this orientation.
Please contact us now to get your first client or clinic shift.
Administrative Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Glen (752-6659)
Bankruptcy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Molly (752-6654)
Civil (collections lawsuits, car crashes, garnishments) . . . . . . Glen (752-6659)
Criminal Expungement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill (752-6672)
Employment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heidi (752-6658)
Family (including Divorce, Custody and Adoptions) . . . . .. . . Greg (752-6673)
Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill (752-6672)
Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill (752-6672)
“Stop Contact” Letters to Creditors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heidi (752-6658)
www.volunteerlawyersnetwork.org
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Support for your work.
VLN provides you with
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Comprehensive resources,
manuals, and forms.
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Volunteer mentor attorneys.
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VLN resource attorneys.
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Low-Cost CLE’s.
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VLC Wiki – Online access to all our resources.

Tips of the month.
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Resource Attorney Support:
If you can’t find the answer to a
question, our resource attorneys
are happy to help.
If you would like to meet with a
resource attorney, please call (612-752-6655) in advance
to ensure he or she will be available to meet with you.
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Support for your work.
VLN provides you with
 CLE credits for your Pro Bono Hours.
( up to 6 per cycle).
 Administrative Support to get IFP signed, paperwork filed.
 Law Students to help to provide brief services brief services and
Volunteer Librarians to do research for you.
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Support for your work.
VLN provides you with
 Malpractice insurance for any VLN Client.
(including clinics).
 Office space to meet with clients.
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Custody
Level of Service
 Full Representation (8-70 hours)
 Phone advice* (1-2 Hours per shift)
 Review cases for merit* (10-30 minutes per case)
 In-person legal advice* (2 hours per shift)
 Mentor Attorney* (2-10 hours)
Please note that services with an asterisk (*) are best provided by an attorney experienced in that
area of law.
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People in poverty are more vulnerable to…
 Claims of quick cash fixes.
 Poor housing and jobs – few choices.
 Even fewer choices if criminal record.
 Predatory practices – door to door solicitation
for loan refinancing, etc.
 Difficulty leaving abusive relationships, lack of family stability.
 Cycle of default judgments and garnishments – resulting in NSF checks and
overdraft fees.
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Avoid common hurdles with VLN Clients.
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VLN clients may work alternate shifts, be homeless,
have a pay-per-minute phone, or fear giving out contact
information for safety reasons.
Meeting your client
Clients may have odd work hours, work multiple jobs or night shifts. Clients may not have
affordable child care or reliable transportation. Clients may also have disabilities or illness
that makes travel difficult.
Communicating with your client
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Attorneys and clients always have implicit expectations of
each other, with VLN clients, some of these expectations may
not be understood or shared.
Contacting your client
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Clarify Expectations
Many of VLN clients find reading a writing difficult. Legalese is an ever-present concern, as
is how you present certain topics both in conversation and in writing.
For useful strategies for avoiding these common hurdles view VLN’s September
2010 Tip of the Month
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