How We Work
How to use University Student Legal Service
- USLS operates on an appointment basis only. Appointments may be made by calling 612-624-1001.
- We do not give legal advice over the phone, by e-mail, or on a walk-in basis.
- If you are not eligible for USLS services, we will provide referrals whenever possible.
USLS freely distributes our informative brochures. However, in order to receive a legal form or specific advice (e.g. Power of Attorney), clients must schedule an appointment. A legal staff member will explain and distribute any necessary forms to the client and will make sure that they are completed correctly.
Eligibility
- Students who are currently enrolled at the Twin Cities Campus and paying the Student services fee are eligible to use USLS. You can check on the web to see if your fees are up to date at My OneStop (click on Student Account on the right side of the page). USLS verifies this status before scheduling an appointment.
- Under limited circumstances a student may be eligible for service between semesters. (See Representation during breaks between terms).
- A copay of $25.00 will be charged to eligible clients when they are between semesters (i.e., summer).
Fees & Costs
Fees to USLS- There is no charge for the first appointment for legal advice and consultation at USLS.
- Initial appointments are paid for by student services fee.
- Minimal copays apply to some cases.
- Additional fees will be explained by an attorney or legal assistant at the initial appointment.
- The current fee schedule is available at the USLS office and on this web site.
Costs (Fines, Fees to Court, etc.)
Clients are responsible for payment of
- Costs required by outside agencies, such as court filing fees, fines, and penalties.
- All costs associated with their case. NOTE: if a student's income is within certain guidelines, it may be possible to waive court costs. Students should ask their attorney or legal assistant for more information.
Confidentiality
Under rules set by the Minnesota Supreme Court, all USLS staff guarantees clients a duty of confidentiality.
Referrals
If USLS does not have the resources or expertise to help, we maintain a list of other agencies and services in the Twin Cities area and will make referrals accordingly. If a client is eligible but USLS does not handle that area of the law, the client may still make an appointment to discuss his or her options.
Representation during breaks between terms
Students are generally not eligible for service between terms. However, if a student has an emergency, according to USLS policy, USLS may see the student provided that the student paid the Student services fee during the most recent term and intends to be a full-time student in the next term. A copay of $25.00 will be charged to eligible clients when they are between semesters (i.e., summer)
Emergency situations include, but are not limited to, those in which an eligible student
- has a mandatory court appearance
- must respond to legal papers within a deadline before resumption of student status, or
- is being evicted.
- is being deported
Termination of representation
- Clients have the right to terminate their relationship with USLS at any time.
- USLS has the right to terminate its representation in the following situations
- conclusion of the legal matter
- a judgment is obtained
- the client fails to fulfill his or her obligations as a client
- a client is no longer eligible.
When a client is no longer eligible for USLS services, USLS will terminate representation. Under very limited circumstances USLS may agree to continue representation after a client is no longer a fee-paying student solely for the purpose of completing minor tasks necessary for completion of a case. Examples of such minor tasks would include serving and filing a final court Order, ordering certified copies of a court document, or writing a letter summarizing an agreement. The decision to continue representation for such minor tasks is solely at the discretion of USLS staff. Clients may be assessed a fee for continued representation.
Services to students who will be graduating or will soon lose eligibility for USLS services are limited to advice only. USLS will not commence representation in a lawsuit or other legal matter that will require legal services after a student is no longer eligible.
Complaints
Students who have complaints about their relationship with USLS should- First, discuss the problem with their attorney or legal assistant.
- If the problem persists, contact the USLS Director by telephone, email, or in writing.
- If not satisfied, contact the USLS Board of Directors by writing to them in care of the USLS office.
Complaints will be reviewed by a special committee appointed by the USLS Board Chairperson (a student) and the aggrieved student has the option of making an oral presentation to the committee.
Students who would prefer to be represented by an advocate in connection with a complaint should contact the Student Conflict Resolution Center at the University of Minnesota for assistance.
Missed appointments
Clients who have an appointment they cannot keep must call the office in advance to cancel or reschedule. Clients who miss two appointments in a term, without calling in advance, must pay a fee before making a third appointment.
Clients are expected to
- Provide complete and accurate information about eligibility and legal issues being discussed. Clients must update this information as needed;
- Cooperate with the staff to facilitate representation;
- Attend all scheduled court appearances and office appointments or, if an urgent matter prevents attendance, call the office in advance;
- Promptly pay all court costs, filing fees, penalties, fees due to USLS for services rendered, and other costs associated with their cases;
- Ensure that USLS has their current address and telephone numbers at all times--If USLS is unable to locate a client within a reasonable time after the file is closed, client funds will be forfeited;
- Respect the privacy of others.
- USLS periodically must destroy closed files within accepted standards. Clients wishing to obtain materials from their files should contact USLS as soon as possible after their case is resolved.
- To carry out its responsibilities, USLS requires an environment free from violence, threats, and intimidation. USLS reserves the right to deny or discontinue services to any individual who engages in conduct which threatens the safety, security, or well-being of USLS staff, clients, or visitors. USLS also reserves the right to deny or discontinue services to any individual who is under the influence of alcohol or other drug, or any individual in possession of a dangerous weapon.
- A student who is aggrieved by a decision to deny service may appeal by following the Complaints Policy explained above.
Policy and service guidelines
The USLS Board periodically amends the policy and service guidelines of USLS to reflect changing program resources and student needs. Final determination of eligibility for services is made by USLS.
USLS may assist clients in the following areas:
- Tenant rights: Repairs, security deposits, evictions (unlawful detainer), and lease interpretation;
- Consumer matters: Automobile purchases and repairs, credit problems, contracts, car accidents, insurance coverage, defective goods and services, student loans, and property loss;
- Collection: Garnishment and levy on known assets;
- Wills & trusts: Basic wills and trusts, including mutual wills and Health Care Directives (living wills);
- Family law: Dissolutions, legal separations, paternity, domestic abuse, custody, visitation, support, and adoptions;
- Immigration: Student visas, asylum, and immediate relative petitions;
- Criminal cases: Misdemeanors, aggravated traffic matters, and expungements;
- Miscellaneous matters: Name changes, power of attorney, and referrals.
Limitations on Service
USLS may decline service or limit service to advice or referral in the following areas:- Cases arising outside of the 7-county metropolitan area (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties);
- Courtroom representation in Conciliation Court matters;
- Petty misdemeanors;
- Employment grievances;
- Assistance to student organizations;
- Representation of a co-plaintiff or co-defendant who is not otherwise eligible, unless the Director deems representation necessary to protect the rights of an eligible client;
- Claims for nominal monetary value;
- Legal matters over which Minnesota courts do not or would not have jurisdiction;
- Appeals from Conciliation Court to District Court; Appeals to the Minnesota Court of Appeals or Minnesota Supreme Court;
- Matters which may unduly burden program resources to the disadvantage of other eligible students;
- Initiation of complex litigation or ongoing legal matters immediately prior to termination of eligibility.
Exclusions/Conficts of interest
Those matters not listed above are excluded. In addition, USLS cannot provide service in the following situations due to conflict of interest or other standards:- Actions against the University of Minnesota, its Regents, employees, or agents, if the claim arises out of the performance of duties of office or employment at the University of Minnesota;
- Matters involving policies of the University of Minnesota;
- Student v. student matters:
- If the adverse party was eligible at the time the legal matter arose but is no longer eligible, USLS may represent the client, subject to Director discretion;
- If the adverse party was not eligible at the time the legal matter arose but is now eligible, USLS may not represent the client, subject to Director discretion;
- If the adverse party was eligible at the time the legal matter arose and is still eligible, USLS will not represent the client unless the adverse party waives his or her right to USLS services in writing;
- For matters where the timing of the legal matter is difficult to determine, the case is subject to Director discretion.
- Matters that are prohibited by the ethical standards and codes governing attorneys;
- Matters customarily handled as contingent fee cases (e.g., personal injury, etc.). USLS will refer;
- Matters where insurers are contractually obligated to provide legal representation. USLS will refer;
- Matters in which another attorney has begun representation;
- Pre-existing legal matters:
- Plaintiff: If the legal matter arose prior to eligibility, the matter is excluded;
- Defendant: In a civil case, if the time to answer has run prior to eligibility, the matter is excluded. In a criminal case, if the student contacts USLS too late for provision of effective representation, the matter is excluded.
- Business, commercial, copyright, or income-generating matters;
- Public assistance/benefits. USLS will refer;
- Matters challenging the quality or value of another's attorney's services.
USLS Governance
USLS functions as a University department within the Office for Student Affairs. In addition, USLS receives policy guidance from its Board of Directors, a student-run board composed of students, faculty, university administrators, and practicing attorneys. The USLS Board ensures that the service is responsive to the current needs and wishes of students from the community of the University of Minnesota.