Central Minnesota Legal Services

01/01/2026

12/03/2025

Live from the MN Supreme Court! Legal Aid Attorneys Julia Zwak, Whitney Herold, and Max Tsai (pictured) joined forces with Central Minnesota Legal Services. CMLS Attorney Elizabeth Sauer took the lead in arguing for a tenant's right to eviction expungement.

According to statute (passed in 2023), if a landlord and tenant settle their case AND the tenant follows the terms of the settlement, the case must be expunged (erased) from public court records.

At issue is a question of whether or not the law is constitutional. With additional support from Paralegal Grace Werner and Litigation Director Luke Grundman, we argued, it is. Stay tuned. We'll post the ruling here when it comes down.

11/27/2025

CMLS offices will be closed November 27-28th for Thanksgiving. Our offices will re-open on Monday, December 1st.

10/28/2025

Come visit us at Project Connect to learn more about our services!

10/24/2025

What a great event for the community - CMLS was so happy to be a part of this!

10/21/2025

We're hiring a full-time Legal Secretary in our Minneapolis office. This position will be onsite, working 33.75 hours/week. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Apply today!

09/26/2025

Come join us tomorrow!

Friday! Stop by the C**n Rapids Regional Dam from 10-12 p.m. Sept. 26 for free, fresh produce before the weekend and meet with community resources from Anoka County Child and Teen Check Up, Neighborhood HealthSource, Familywise, Anoka County Economic Assistance, Fulcrum Health Inc, Anoka County Opioid Solutions Initiative, Central Minnesota Legal Services,Second Harvest Heartland - SNAP, Animal Humane Society, Anoka County Transit, Citizens Utility Board, Anoka-Hennepin School District Early Learning, and Anoka County Job Training Center.

09/09/2025

CMLS is hiring a Staff Attorney in our Anoka office! Reviewing applications immediately. Apply online today at https://centralmnlegal2.bamboohr.com/careers

09/02/2025

Last month, CMLS co-authored an OpEd in the Star Tribune with our Minnesota Legal Services Coalition (MLSC) partners, Anishinabe Legal Services, Justice North, Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota, Legal Aid - Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, and Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, about the importance of LSC funding for Minnesota's most vulnerable. With Congress back in session, it's important to remember how federal budget decisions have lasting effects right here in our communities. "It is estimated that if the 46% cut in the U.S. House budget bill became reality, over 38,000 fewer Minnesotans would receive help with their legal problems." Learn more about the work of legal aid and the impact funding cuts could have: https://www.startribune.com/trump-budget-cuts-state-legal-aid-programs/601451408?utm_source=gift&fbclid=IwY2xjawMcTkBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF4bU5jWFpmc1QyY1NVR2RmAR6EDqg7B6n9kK6aJ68ieW8Y_lWCbe7bHYVt5gHayv0kpSb_j3bpISMpe-Tvuw_aem_dK-_z_JZipgcWhzgmj6Gew

"Minnesota’s civil legal services system is already underfunded despite recent increases in state funding," write authors from state legal-services groups.

08/29/2025

CMLS will be closed for Labor Day. Our offices and intake lines will reopen on Tuesday, September 2nd. Have a safe holiday weekend!

08/28/2025

We are heartbroken by yesterday's shooting at Annunciation Church. As an organization that serves Minneapolis, we wanted to share resources for our community members who may need support.

We are heartbroken by the devastating events that unfolded this morning at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis. The loss of young lives and the injuries sustained by so many are incomprehensible. Our hearts are with the families, students, educators and first responders affected by this tragedy across our Greater Twin Cities community. This tragedy is a painful reminder that every child deserves a safe and nurturing school environment. If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available — call or text 988 to connect with a trained counselor.

08/14/2025

Yesterday, CMLS held our last "CMLS in the Communities" event of the year at our Anoka office. We spent the afternoon volunteering at Anoka County Brotherhood Council - ACBC Food Shelf where we sorted shoes, packed food, and learned about all the amazing work they are doing in the community. Then we enjoyed the City of Anoka, Minnesota's Social District and Rockin' on the Rum concert series. What a fun way to get to experience the communities we serve!