Not many people know that some of the ACLU of Minnesota’s most important legal work is made possible by attorneys and law firms who volunteer their time and expertise.
These pro bono attorneys—lawyers who provide legal services without charging for their work—are an essential part of how we defend civil rights and civil liberties across Minnesota. They work alongside our legal team, contributing thousands of hours of research, litigation, and other support that allows us to take on more cases, challenge powerful institutions, and protect the rights of more Minnesotans.
During this year’s National Celebration of Pro Bono Week, October 25–31, we’re recognizing the attorneys, law firms, and legal organizations whose generosity makes so much of our work possible.
The People and Partnerships Behind Our Cases
When the ACLU of Minnesota brings a lawsuit, the work often involves far more than our own staff attorneys. Our pro bono partners help investigate constitutional violations, develop legal arguments, prepare court filings, and represent clients through complex litigation. Their contributions allow us to pursue cases that might otherwise be beyond our capacity.
In just the past year, these partnerships have supported some of our most significant efforts to protect Minnesotans’ rights, including:
- Challenging racial profiling by federal immigration agents. In Hussen et al. v. Noem et al., the ACLU of Minnesota, the national ACLU, Covington & Burling LLP, Greene Espel PLLP, and Robins Kaplan LLP brought a class-action lawsuit on behalf of community members whose constitutional rights were violated by federal immigration agents.
- Opposing unlawful immigration enforcement agreements. In Corey-Gruenes et al. v. Freeborn County et al., the ACLU of Minnesota and Maslon LLP sued Freeborn County on behalf of four residents challenging the use of their property taxes to fund an illegal agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
- Defending the right to protest. In Tincher et al. v. Noem et al., the ACLU of Minnesota, Ciresi Conlin, Forsgren Fisher, and Riach Law challenged constitutional violations committed by federal immigration agents against community members exercising their rights.
- Protecting students’ rights. In L.S. and C.H. v. Detroit Lakes Public School District, the ACLU of Minnesota and Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP brought claims on behalf of two students alleging violations of their constitutional rights, discrimination and harassment under the Minnesota Human Rights Act, and violations of Minnesota’s Open Meeting Law.
- Protecting Minnesotans’ private voter information. In United States of America v. Simon et al., the ACLU of Minnesota, the national ACLU, and Stoel Rives LLP are representing the League of Women Voters of Minnesota, Common Cause, and two Minnesota voters against the Department of Justice’s effort to force the disclosure of protected Minnesota voter information.
These cases illustrate why pro bono partnerships matter. Defending constitutional rights often requires substantial time, specialized expertise, and sustained legal resources. By contributing those resources, our partners help ensure that we can respond to urgent threats while continuing the long-term work of protecting civil liberties throughout Minnesota.
This week, we extend our gratitude to all of the cooperating attorneys and law firms that have supported our work, including Ballard Spahr, Blades Law, Carlton Fields, Ciresi Conlin, Covington & Burling, Dorsey & Whitney, Faegre Drinker, FG+G, Forsgren Fisher, Fredrikson & Byron, Gad & Gad Law Offices, Greene Espel, Halunen Law, Larkin Hoffman, the Law Office of Kevin C. Riach, Lockridge Grindal Nauen, Maslon, Nelson Mullins, Norton Rose Fulbright, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, Robins Kaplan, Smith Law, Stinson, Stoel Rives, Wilson Law Office, and individual attorneys in private practice.
We also recognize our legal organization partners: The Advocates for Human Rights, Gender Justice, the Immigration Law Center of Minnesota, the Legal Rights Center, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, and the University of Minnesota Law School’s James H. Binger Center for New Americans.
Much of the work of defending civil liberties happens outside the public eye—in hours of legal research, meetings with clients, and preparation for court. Our pro bono partners make extraordinary contributions to that work, often without public recognition.
During National Pro Bono Week, we want to make sure their contributions are seen and celebrated.
To every attorney, law firm, and organization that has stood alongside us: Thank you for helping us defend, protect, and expand the rights of all Minnesotans.