Dori Streit, executive director of the 10-county Volunteer Attorney Program (VAP), came to Grand Marais last week to make a presentation before the county board about the program she runs. Unfortunately, there was a mix-up in the schedule and commissioners had adjourned for the day, so Streit talked to the newspaper and Commissioner Frank Moe, and later met with Commissioners Heidi Doo-Kirk and Jan Sivertson at the co-op.
Streit, from Duluth, said VAP worked with 30 to 40 Cook County residents last year.
“We offer free legal advice to people who can’t afford an attorney,” she said. “However, this is only for civil matters. Our attorneys don’t take criminal cases.”
Begun in 1981, the Volunteer Attorney Program is a nonprofit organization that serves northeastern Minnesota. VAP offers low-income individuals pro bono legal assistance for debt and credit problems, as well as providing a defense in collection lawsuits or representation in Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings.
“We also can help with divorce, custody, child support, housing, employment, disability, elder law, general wills, administrative and more,” she said.
“There are 180 active volunteer attorneys in the 10-county area,” Streit said. “All attorneys are obligated to provide 50 hours of pro bono work each year, but we realize that small law firms or attorneys working on their own might need some compensation for their work.”
Toward that end, VAP recently received a grant it can use to pay, say “$60 an hour to an attorney who is helping our clients. It’s not their full hourly rate, but it provides them with some money, so they aren’t hurt financially by taking a client from us,” she said.
Hiring an attorney is expensive. “Not everybody can pay $100 per hour (or more) for legal services. That is why we are here.
“When Sixth Judicial District Court Judge [Michael J.] Cuzzo sees someone that needs representation, he calls us. The judge doesn’t like to see people who don’t have proper representation come before the court,” said Streit.
Due to the high demand for services VAP can’t take all cases it receives. Eligibility is determined by looking at household income levels.
“If you think you are in need of legal assistance please call our office at 218-723-4005 during intake hours, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday through Friday,” said Streit.
As for her time, or lack of time before the county board, Streit didn’t seem upset. She was glad to meet with several commissioners, she said, pleading her case for a $3,000 contribution from the county. Each county provides some funds to the program. Last year Cook County contributed $3,000 to VAP, she said. Commissioner Moe promised he would take her request before the board at an upcoming meeting.
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