Our National Organization

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association http://www.napaba.org/

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is the national association of Asian Pacific American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students. NAPABA represents the interests of almost 50,000 attorneys and nearly 75 state and local Asian Pacific American bar associations. NAPABA continues to be a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian Pacific American communities.

Local Diversity Bar Organizations (for Attorneys)

Twin Cities Diversity In Practice (TCDIP) http://www.diversityinpractice.org/

Diversity in Practice is a nonprofit association comprised of the leading Twin-Cities legal employers with the vision to create a vibrant and inclusive legal community and mission to strengthen the efforts of member organizations to attract, recruit, advance, and retain attorneys of color.

Hmong American Bar Association https://www.facebook.com/habaminn.org/

Minnesota American Indian Bar Association (MAIBA) http://www.maiba.org/

NNABA shares many of the same goals of diversity and increased understanding of our communities’ unique cultural and legal issues with minority bar associations. However, most of our lawyers are both U.S. citizens and citizens of their respective Tribal nations. Our members, therefore, also share the communal responsibility, either directly or indirectly, of protecting the governmental sovereignty of the more than 560 independent Native American Tribal governments in the United States.

Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers (MABL) http://www.mabl.org/

The Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers (MABL) is the leading minority bar association whose mission is to promote and support the professional development of Black lawyers, judges, and law students in Minnesota. To this end, MABL is committed to the overall goal of representing the interests of Black citizens and their community in the legal profession and in the judicial system throughout the state.

Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association (MHBA) http://www.minnhba.org/

The Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association (MHBA) was founded to organize Hispanic attorneys, judges, law students and other concerned members of the Hispanic community into a force for professional and community benefit. The MHBA mission is to unify and organize all members of the Hispanic legal community, to promote legal professionals, and to serve as an advocate for the Hispanic community in Minnesota.

Minnesota Lavender Bar Association (MLBA) http://www.mnlavbar.org/

The Minnesota Lavender Bar Association (MLBA) is the primary Association of attorneys in Minnesota supporting the LGBT Community.  The Association was started in response to the limited opportunities for LGBT lawyers and law students to network, learn together, and address homophobia within the profession.

North American Somali Bar Association (NASBA) https://www.facebook.com/pages/North-American-Somali-Bar-Association/549306735155645

The North American Somali Bar Association (NASBA) is a continental association of attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students of Somali heritage. As a bar association, NASBA affords Somali legal professionals a special forum to discuss issues, facilitate the exchange of ideas and foster fellowship. NASBA also promotes professional development, networking and mentorship opportunity for its members.

Minnesota Women Lawyers (MWL) http://www.mwlawyers.org/

Minnesota Women Lawyers (MWL) is an association of more than 1,300 attorneys, judges, law students, legal employers and others who are dedicated to advancing the success of women attorneys and striving for a just society. Since its inception in 1972, MWL has provided opportunities for members to develop as leaders, network with other attorneys, and have an impact on their communities by fostering a greater satisfaction within the profession.

Minnesota Infinity Project http://www.theinfinityproject.org/minnesota.htm

The Infinity Project’s mission is to increase the gender diversity of the state and federal bench to ensure the quality of justice in the Eighth Circuit. The Infinity Project believes it is necessary to have a bench that reflects the society as a whole so that judicial decisions take into account differing life experiences and points of view.

Other Local Attorney Organizations

Minnesota State Bar Association http://www.mnbar.org/

The Minnesota State Bar Association is the oldest professional association for attorneys in Minnesota.  For licensed attorneys in Minnesota, membership is voluntary.  Membership is open to any attorney licensed to practice law in any state.

Minnesota Justice Foundation https://www.mnjustice.org/

MJF strives for justice by creating opportunities for law students to perform public interest and pro bono legal services.

Hennepin County Bar Association http://www.hcba.org/

Ramsey County Bar Association http://www.ramseybar.org/

Anoka Bar Association http://www.anokabar.com/

Minnesota Chapter - Federal Bar Association http://www.fedbar.org/minnesota.html  

American Immigration Lawyers Association - Minnesota / Dakotas Chapter (AILA) http://www.ailamndak.org/

Asian Pacific American Organizations Serving Minnesota

AK Connection www.akconnection.com/

Asian American Center for Advancing Justice https://www.advancingjustice.org/

Asian American Press www.aapress.com

Asian Economic Development Association www.aeda-mn.org

Asian Media Access North http://ww2.amamedia.org/

Asian Women United of MN https://www.lawhelpmn.org/organization/asian-women-united-of-minnesota-awum

Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations www.aapcho.org

CAAM Chinese Dance Theater www.caamcdt.org

Center For Asian and Pacific Islanders https://www.capiusa.org

Center for Hmong Arts and Talent https://www.aboutchat.org

Center for Hmong Studies - Concordia University, St. Paul https://hmongcenter.csp.edu

Chinese American Association of Minnesota www.caam.org

Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans https://mn.gov/capm/

Cultural Society of Filipino Americans https://www.facebook.com/csfamn/

Hmong ABC https://www.hmongabc.com

Hmong American Partnership www.hmong.org/

Hmong Cultural Center www.hmongcc.org/

Hmong Pages https://www.hmongpage.com

Hmong Times www.hmongtimes.com/

Hospitality Center for Chinese www.hcchinese.org

India Association of Minnesota www.iamn.org/

Indonesian Performing Arts Association of Minnesota (dba SUMUNAR) https://givemn.org/organization/Indonesian-Performing-Arts-Association-Of-Minnesota

Japan American Society of Minnesota www.mn-japan.org

Karen Organization-Minnesota https://www.mnkaren.org/

Katha Dance Theatre www.kathadance.org/

Korean Association of Minnesota www.mnkorea.org

Korean Quarterly www.koreanquarterly.org/

Lao Advancement Organization of America www.laoamerica.org

Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota www.laocenter.org

Minnesota China Friendship Garden Society www.mnchinagarden.org/

Minnesota Chinese Music Ensemble www.minnesotachinesemusic.com

Minnesota Council of Nonprofits www.minnesotanonprofits.org

Minnesota Hmong Chamber of Commerce https://www.hmongchamber.com

National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum https://napawf.org/

R.G.K. Modern Indian Dance Academy www.rgkdance.org

Ragamala Dance Company https://www.ragamaladance.org

Sewa-Aifw https://www.sewa-aifw.org/

Southeast Asian Refugee Community Home www.sabanorthamerica.com

The Saint Paul & Minnesota Community Foundations https://www.mncommunityfoundation.org/saint-paul-and-minnesota-community-foundations-welcomes-new-board-chair-and-three-new-board-members

Tibet Online www.tibet.org

Twin City Chinese Christian Church www.tcccc.org/en

UCAMIN www.ucamn.org/

US-China Peoples Friendship Association www.uscpfa.org

Vietnamese Community of MN www.vietnam-minnesota.org

Vietnamese Social Services of Minnesota www.vssmn.org

Wilder Social Adjustment Program for Southeast Asians https://www.wilder.org/Programs-Services/Southeast-Asian-Services/Pages/default.aspx

Mental Health & Well Being Resources

AAPI Mental Health Resources https://centricbh.com/aapi-lgbtq-substance-abuse-and-mental-illness-support/

Alcoholics Anonymous https://alcoholicsanonymous.com/

Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers https://www.mnlcl.org/

Live Another Day https://liveanotherday.org/about/

Other Community Organizations

Jewish Community Relations Council: Minnesota & the Dakotas

As the public affairs voice of the Jewish community, the JCRC fights anti-Semitism and prejudice, advocates for Israel, provides Holocaust education, promotes tolerance and social justice, and builds bridges across the Jewish and broader communities.

Provides a free, confidential Lawyer Assistance Program for Minnesota lawyers, judges, and law students, and for their immediate family members.

The following are organizations that can help connect you with a pro bono attorney in various areas:

Volunteer Lawyers Network: Housing, Evictions, Immigration, Family Law, Divorces, Criminal Expungements, and various other needs.

Tubman: Domestic violence orders for protection and Harassment Restraining Orders

Pro Se Project: Federal Court resources and connections for pro se litigants

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid: Various issues, including rights for disabled individuals

Southern Minnesota Legal Regional Services: Various civil law areas, including family law, housing, immigration, government benefits, senior law, and education, in southern Minnesota and several other counties around the metro

Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota: Immigration

Below are resources gathered and shared by MNAPABA members for the purposes of providing access to legal services, community support, and general resources for the ongoing events in Minnesota. Those interested in submitting an additional resource recommendations can email MNAPABA@gmail.com.

For General Knowledge:

Know Your Rights (Ice Encounter Rights & Resources) (Available in English, Spanish, and Tagalog): https://large-count-43185431.figma.site/

American Immigration Lawyers Association: https://www.aila.org/legal-resources/client-flyers

Know Your Rights: https://www.ilcm.org/immigration-resources/know-your-rights/

ABA Know Your Rights Videos (available in several languages): https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_interest/immigration/projects_initiatives/know-your-rights/

Hennepin County Bar Association resources: https://mnbars.org/?pg=HCBAAnnouncements&blAction=showEntry&blogEntry=136937

Ramsay County Bar Association resources: https://mnbars.org/?pg=Barrister&pubAction=viewIssue&pubIssueID=64870&pubIssueItemID=423540

If an individual you know has been detained: https://locator.ice.gov/odls/#/search

For Legal Observation & Documentation:

Reporting Mechanisms

If your rights were violated by ICE or other Federal Agents, let the ACLU know here: https://www.aclu-mn.org/ice-feds-form/

If your rights were violated by ICE or other Federal Agents, let the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office know here: https://www.ag.state.mn.us/Federal-Action/

For Those Seeking Legal Assistance:

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid: https://mylegalaid.org/

Immigrant Law Center: https://www.ilcm.org/ 

Volunteering Opportunities:

TC Food Justice: https://www.tcfoodjustice.org/

Community Aid Network MN: https://www.canmn.org/

Minnesota Habeas Project (for attorneys):  Volunteer Sign Up Here 

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This is for general informational purposes only. Its contents are not legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney.