We understand that you want to spend your time helping clients, not figuring out administrative paperwork. Here is a streamlined list of the procedures we ask you to follow when helping a pro bono client through VLN.

Walk-in Clinics

• Complete both sides of a Clinic Data Sheet for each client you see and return it to VLN. (If you are at a courthouse clinic, please return it to clinic assistants there and it will be returned to VLN.)

• If you wish to help a client beyond the confines of the clinic, and either wish to be covered by our malpractice insurance or have VLN track your pro bono hours towards your CLE requirements, please follow the procedures under “Full Representation Cases” below.

Scheduled Clinics

• After you have seen the client, complete the online Scheduled Clinic Case Closing Form.

• If you are helping the client on a full representation basis, please also follow the procedures under “Full Representation Cases” below.

Full Representation Cases

• Return a copy of the VLN Representation Agreement to VLN. (Please make sure the client has indicated his or her citizenship status.)

• At the end of the case, complete the Full Representation Case Closing Form and send VLN a copy of the final order. (For family law cases, please use the Family Full Representation Case Closing Form.)

• For cases obtained from walk-in clinics: If you wish to be covered by our malpractice insurance or have VLN track your pro bono hours towards your CLE requirements, please ask the client to call the VLN Client Line (612-752-6677) to be screened. Then please tell us you would like to take the case (VLN admin line is 612-752-6655).

Note: If you wish to have VLN track your pro bono hours on a VLN case towards your CLE requirements, please email your VLN case placement coordinator prior to the end of the CLE reporting period to report your pro bono hours to date on the case.

Other commonly used forms

• Client Acknowledgement Form (Workshops) - for assisted pro se workshops (helping pro se litigants complete paperwork) (updated July 08).

• Brief Services Form - Limited scope agreement for Negotiated Payment Plan and Letters to Creditors (up to four hours) (updated July 08).

 

If you have any questions or concerns about these procedures, please contact Martha Delaney at 612-752-6676.

Thank you for your commitment to pro bono and for assisting clients in need!