A Force for Good: Robins Kaplan's Pro Bono Program
At Robins Kaplan, we believe everyone deserves equal access to the legal system. That’s why we work every day to provide legal representation to those who cannot afford it. Whether working for a paying or pro bono client, our attorneys bring their reputation as tenacious champions to the courtroom. When life, liberty, and basic needs are on the line, we help our clients win when it matters most.
We set high expectations for our pro bono program. Each attorney is asked to contribute at least 50 hours of pro bono work annually. Since 2005, at least 5% of our firm’s total attorney time has been provided pro bono to advancing the public interest, enforcing civil rights, and providing representation to low-income clients.
We partner with more than 60 nonprofit organizations to help us identify pro bono cases that match our attorneys’ skills and interests. And we partner with corporate attorneys to leverage our resources and address unmet needs. Our pro bono services range from brief advice at legal clinics, to consulting with nonprofit attorneys, to full representation at trial.
Nationally Recognized Pro Bono Program
Our dedication to giving back has earned us national accolades.
- Ranked #4 in the nation by Law360 for pro bono for firms of our size for 2024
- Consistently highly ranked by The American Lawyer as a top pro bono firm
- Ranked #27 on Vault’s “Best Law Firms for Pro Bono” for 2025
- 32 firm attorneys named “North Star Lawyers” for providing pro bono advocacy by the Minnesota State Bar Association for 2023
- 12 firm attorneys received the Wiley W. Manuel Certificate for Pro Bono Legal Services from the State Bar of California for 2024
- Eight firm attorneys named to the Adams Pro Bono Honor Roll and 5 firm attorneys named to the Adams Pro Bono High Honor Roll by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in 2023
- Robins Kaplan received a 2024 Award of Merit from the Legal Aid Association of California
- Robins Kaplan and two of its attorneys received the Public Counsel Pro Bono Award in 2024
- Robins Kaplan attorney received the 2024 Shelia Sonenshine Associate Pro Bono Award
- In 2024, a Robins Kaplan attorney received the New Volunteer of the Year Award from the Tubman Safety Project for his work providing pro bono services to victim-survivors of domestic violence
- Robins Kaplan attorney received the Hennepin County Bar Association Pro Bono Excellence Award in 2023
- Robins Kaplan attorneys named Minnesota Lawyer Attorneys of the Year in the Government & Nonprofit Category for work on a pro bono case in 2023
2024 Community Service & Foundation Contributions
All of our firm members are dedicated to giving back to the community and our two foundations, the Robins Kaplan Private Foundation and The Foundation for Children, are committed to supporting the greater good.
- Community
Throughout 2024, our firm members gave back to the community through a variety of community service and pro bono projects. Read More - 2024 Board Memberships
Our firm’s attorneys serve on the board of directors of more than 90 nonprofit organizations. Read More - 2024 Foundation Contributions
The firm’s foundations contributed to more than 100 nonprofit organizations in 2024. Read More
2024 Pro Bono That Makes a Difference
In 2024, the firm had the privilege of representing many remarkable pro bono clients. You can read some of their stories here:
Federal Government Ordered to Provide Housing for Veterans with Disabilities
Following a month-long trial in Powers v. McDonough – a class action in which we represent a certified class of veterans with disabilities – the firm and co-counsel secured a court judgment and injunctions holding the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) accountable for failing to provide housing for veterans with disabilities on land intended for that purpose.
Asylum for Cameroonian Woman Abused by Police
Over several years, our client was severely and repeatedly abused at the hands of the Cameroonian police for her political activity in support of English speakers, so she fled to the United States and sought asylum. Her asylum application was denied for alleged inconsistencies, and she was placed in immigration removal proceedings. That’s when Robins Kaplan took the case pro bono.
Citizenship for Cameroonian Asylee
A former pro bono client recently reached out to express her gratitude and let us know that she just became a U.S. citizen! The client came to the U.S. from Cameroon, where she was imprisoned, mistreated, interrogated, tortured, and raped by prison guards after being arrested for working with the Southern Cameroon National Council (SCNC).
Asylum for Afghan Contractor for U.S. Department of Defense
Our client and his family operated a company in Afghanistan that contracted with the U.S. Department of Defense. As part of the U.S. military provincial reconstruction team, the company was often subject to Taliban attacks. Our client received threatening phone calls, letters, and visits from unknown men. After receiving numerous threats, the family fled their home, which was subsequently destroyed by the Taliban. Our client then fled to the United States, seeking asylum while the rest of his family remained in hiding.
Asylum for FGM Victim Fleeing Arranged Marriage
Our client was subjected to FGM (female genital mutilation) in Burkina Faso and later forced into an arranged marriage with a much older man. She came to the United States on a student visa and then applied for asylum and relief under the Convention Against Torture.
Amicus Brief for Domestic Violence Scholars
The firm represented a group of domestic violence scholars as amici parties before the Minnesota Supreme Court in a criminal appeal that had significant implications for victims of domestic abuse who act in self-defense.
Medical Records Review Helps Secure Dismissal of Charges Against Refugee
The firm recently helped the Legal Rights Center, a nonprofit public defender, obtain dismissal of assault charges against a refugee who would have suffered devastating immigration consequences if convicted.
Pro Bono Legal Clinic Helps Low-Income Minnesotans in Insurance Disputes
For over 10 years, Dick Allyn has taught at the University of Minnesota Law School Insurance Law Clinic, which provides legal assistance to low-income clients in insurance cases. Clients come to the clinic when they are facing a crisis in their life because of medical issues, loss of property, or liabilities to third parties, for which their only recourse is insurance coverage.
Judgments Collected for Low-Income Tenant
In 2021, Robins Kaplan took on the pro bono representation of a low-income tenant whose landlord failed to keep their rental property in repair. The case went to a five-day trial in housing court in early 2022. We represented the tenant and successfully obtained a judgment against the landlord for the deplorable conditions of the property.
Settlements Allow Formerly Homeless Client to Remain Housed
The firm obtained a very favorable settlement for a low-income client in an eviction case after thoroughly investigating the landlord’s allegations of breach of lease and demanding a jury trial.
Expungement Clears Way for Brighter Future for Low-Income Mother and Daughter
The firm recently helped a low-income client obtain expungement of three misdemeanor criminal cases. The criminal cases – one of which was dismissed without a conviction – were preventing our client from obtaining better employment to support herself and her young daughter.
