Paid Consumer/Homeownership Law Clerk

Summer Student Law Clerk Grant Funded

Position Type: Temporary

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Introduction:

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (MMLA) is seeking rising 2L and 3L law students to work in our Minneapolis office. These positions require a minimum of 30-hour ten-week commitment.

As an equal opportunity employer, MMLA is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences, and communities to apply. We welcome information about how your experience can contribute to serving our diverse client communities. Applicants are encouraged to share in their cover letter how they can further our goal of equal justice for all. We are committed to a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace.

Practice Groups:

Consumer/Homeownership: The Consumer Unit represents clients facing debt collection, unfair debt practices, wrongful credit reporting, among other consumer issues, and clients facing the loss of their home to foreclosure. Students will work with MMLA’s Consumer unit and will represent clients in (1) Claiming income protections to prevent garnishment of pay and bank accounts, which will include written legal arguments to debt collection attorneys. (2) Defending clients being sued for debt they should not owe (including used car loans when the cars did not run and credit card accounts that were opened through identity theft), which will include preparing pleadings, motions and discovery. (3) Disputing debt on credit reports, which will include dispute letters to credit bureaus and creditors and some litigation work. (4) Legal research and other case work to help homeowners stay in their houses.  

Students will have a significant amount of client contact and will have 1-2 regularly scheduled meetings every week with supervising attorneys to discuss, review and plan the work in their cases.  Additional meetings will be scheduled as needed.

What’s in it for you?

• We believe in work-life harmony. This role offers the flexibility to blend remote work with in-office collaboration.
• MMLA provides on-the-job training and mentorship, with opportunities for growth within the organization.

Why MMLA?

• We’re not just ticking boxes. We’re genuinely committed to diversity. Bring your unique identity, experiences, and perspectives—we want them all!
• Our mission? Equal justice for all. In your cover letter, tell us how your background can amplify this cause. Let’s change our lives together.
• Discrimination and harassment have no place here. We’re building a respectful, supportive workplace where everyone thrives.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Apply the principles of MMLA's Racial Justice Values Statement in all interactions.
• Interview clients.
• Conduct legal research.
• Prepare case documents including pleadings, memoranda, letters to opposing counsel, etc.
• Research current policy issues to prepare and present community education materials.
• Participate in weekly practice group case review meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated interest in and commitment to the needs of low-income/vulnerable clients.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office.
• Excellent attention to detail, interpersonal skills, and oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to handle a variety of assignments while building collaborative relationships with clients, staff, and the community.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Diverse economic, social, or cultural experiences preferred.
• Second language proficiency, especially Arabic, Hmong, Somali, or Spanish, preferred but not required.

Compensation Information: 

• This position is being funded by a generous grant from the Consumer and Credit Council of the Minnesota Bar Association in the amount of $7500 over the course of the position. A hired applicant will not be benefits-eligible.

Application Submission:

Submit resume, cover letter, transcript, and list of references expressing interest in the position through our Career Page at https://mylegalaid.org/about-us/employment/. Priority application deadline is 3/3/25.

If you require reasonable accommodation for completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in our employee selection process, please contact Megan Cook at mcook@mylegalaid.org.

Please direct all other inquiries to hiring@mylegalaid.org.

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.