LAOC appreciates the support it receives from the many individuals, firms, and businesses that donate each year. When you give to LAOC, you are helping LAOC to provide free civil legal services to the hundreds of applicants that apply each year. LAOC assisted 2500 individuals facing critical, life-altering civil legal aid issues in 2022. The need for civil legal aid has never been greater; over the last several years applications for legal services are up a staggering 131%.
We need now, more than ever, your financial support. Every dollar spent on civil legal aid programs provides nearly $4 of economic return.
LAOC is proud to have been providing civil legal aid services in Olmsted County 50 years, giving residents in poverty a legitimate voice in the justice system, which ultimately makes the entire community stronger and healthier.
“As someone who was engaged in the private sector of law for 19 years and then served on the Olmsted County District Court Bench for over 21 years, I consider LAOC to be a vital, integral and critical component of our local justice system,” says Senior Judge Kevin A. Lund. “The expertise, sensitivity and advocacy their lawyers provide to the poor and powerless brings a measure of hope to those navigating a complex, confusing and, at times, impersonal legal system. Our entire Olmsted County community owes this important organization a tremendous debt of gratitude.”
MORE ABOUT LAOC
Purpose Statement: Improved legal outcomes and stability for families and individuals living in poverty
Mission Statement: LAOC ensures access to justice by providing meaningful legal representation in civil matters to our low-income neighbors.
Vision Statement: Legal Assistance aims to have a positive effect on our entire community by championing:
- Stability for families
- Accountability that leads to better housing
- Relief for victims of domestic violence
- Alleviation of overburdened Courts
WHAT WE DO: LAOC provides legal services to individuals through four programs:
- Direct representation by the LAOC staff attorneys in the areas of family law and landlord tenant law
- The Volunteer Attorney Program (“VAP”) where private attorneys agree to take cases for clients who have been screened through the LAOC intake process and need representation in a matter that is not an area of LAOC expertise, where there is a conflict of interest with LAOC and the client, or when LAOC attorneys are not able to take on additional cases and the client needs immediate assistance
- A landlord tenant hotline where any caller can speak to a trained advocate regarding housing issues
- 13 clinics and other outreach programs sponsored by LAOC including:
- Weekly Women's Shelter clinics offered by LAOC staff attorneys for residents of the Rochester Women's Shelter and Support Center, and
- General legal clinics for participants of the Jeremiah Program
WHO WE SERVE: LAOC provides free legal services to low-income residents of Olmsted County.