Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services

Verified

Family Law Attorney

3.5(15 Google reviews)

903 W Center St #230, Rochester, MN 55902, United States

Information last updated October 8, 2026

Practice Areas

Immigration Civil Litigation Family Law

About Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) is a non-profit law firm established in 1909, making it Minnesota's oldest legal aid program. The firm provides free legal assistance to low-income and elderly individuals residing in 33 counties across southern Minnesota, including the St. Paul metropolitan area. Additionally, SMRLS offers civil legal aid to eligible agricultural workers throughout Minnesota and North Dakota.

Funded by federal, state, local, public, and private sources, SMRLS operates with a team of 55 attorneys and 45 support staff. Hundreds of volunteer attorneys contribute to the firm's efforts, collectively assisting approximately 10,000 eligible clients each year. The firm's mission focuses on delivering high-quality legal services to help clients enforce their rights, secure basic necessities, and achieve self-reliance. SMRLS is committed to diversity and racial equality, serving a broad spectrum of clients and guided by a Racial Justice policy. The firm handles civil cases covering family law, government benefits, housing, immigration, education law, senior law, consumer law (including bankruptcy), employment issues, guardianship and conservatorship, real property issues, and taxes. Beyond direct representation, SMRLS engages in community education and outreach, reaching an additional 20,000 people annually.

From the firm’s website

Attorneys: Micaela Schuneman — Chief Executive Officer
Lisa Hollingsworth — Director of Litigation and Advocacy
Services listed: Family, Housing, Government Benefits, Refugee and Immigrant Services, Education, Agricultural Worker Project, Seniors, Consumer Law, Debt and Creditor Issues, Bankruptcy, Credit Reporting, Garnishment
Founded: 1909
Fees: SMRLS provides free legal help to low-income and elderly people in critical civil matters.
Offices: 445 Minnesota Street Ste. 1800 St. Paul, MN 55101-2134
450 North Syndicate Street, Suite 285 St. Paul, MN 55104
1015 7th Avenue North Moorhead, MN 56560
146 College St. W Albert Lea, MN 56007
903 West Center Street, Suite 230 Rochester, MN 55902

Source: smrls.org · checked October 8, 2026. Lawyers Near Me hasn’t independently verified these details.

Hours of Operation

Monday: 8:30 am–5 pm
Tuesday: 8:30 am–5 pm
Wednesday: 8:30 am–5 pm
Thursday: 8:30 am–5 pm
Friday: 8:30 am–5 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Photos

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services photo 1

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services photo 2

Details & Amenities

Service options

Online appointmentsOn-site services

Highlights

Appointments recommended

Accessibility

Wheelchair-accessible car parkWheelchair-accessible entranceWheelchair-accessible toilet

Amenities

ToiletFree parking lotOn-site parking

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services — Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services located?+

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services is located at 903 W Center St #230, Rochester, MN 55902, United States. Use the "Get Directions" link on this page to navigate there.

What kind of cases does Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services handle?+

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services handles Immigration, Civil Litigation, Family Law. Confirm that they cover your specific legal matter during your first consultation.

How do I contact Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services?+

Call Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services at +1 507-292-0080 or visit their website. Many firms offer a free or low-cost initial consultation.

Is Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services well rated?+

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services has a 3.5-star rating based on 15 Google reviews. Ratings are sourced from Google and shown for reference.

Client Reviews

8 reviews

Anna· via Google
4 months ago
Steve Robertson· via Google
Fresh bread!
5 years ago
Samantha Jackson· via Google
Great service. Very helpful
8 years ago
Chris Young· via Google
They don't help people in olmsted. They refer you to legal assistance of olmsted county.
3 years ago
Kaylana Lou· via Google
Prompt, intelligent and professional services offered for those who have a need for it. I have always been given advise that takes me down the right path!
5 years ago
Laura Abraham· via Google
Terrible. Will not help a survivor of domestic violence simply because of how long the other party has had her child. Does not matter that until she left SHE was primary caregiver. Does not matter she was forced to leave her child because of the abuse. Nope. He's had the child since she left , so suddenly he's the primary caregiver, so they'd help an abuser should he ask but not a survivor!!
7 years ago
Errol Phalo de Jesus· via Google
Mimi Hasslebalch was connected to me for family law legal advice. She was unorganized, unhelpful, and extremely unprofessional. After yelling "I'm not here to argue with you ma'am" as I'm trying to ask for guidance, she proceeded to study (not read) a statute out loud. She flat out told me family law wasn't even her practice. Staffing issues or no staffing issues, there is no excuse for being rude to a survivor of domestic abuse trying to protect their special needs child from an abusive partner. Survivors of domestic abuse are a joke to the state of Minnesota.
3 years ago
Richard Paquin· via Google
Beware before donating. They use time and resources to represent people with false allegations. Helping them to then waste taxpayer money in the legal system without verifying the honesty of these people. I think DOGE needs to take a look at the waste of funding. *** Update: "Low-income" clients pull up in a Cadillac SUV, SMLS Attorney Karen McLaughlin looks away. Waste of funding. ***** Update: The fact you respond to reviews in the manner you do speaks volumes on your professionalism. Your poor reviews come from your own clients as well. Only disgruntled about funding being used on lies. Perfectly happy with the settlement, one where you got nothing you wanted in it and I got everything I wanted. Not sure I would classify that as successfully advocating. I will now be making complaints about SMLS higher up.
a year ago

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