MSBA committees and their initiatives

• The Legal Aid Committee was rated important by 56% of respondents (second only to Court Rules); 64% said they were familiar with the committee. 23% rated the committee as effective; 22% rated it as not effective and 32% did not respond as to effectiveness. The committee was among 17 offerings rated important by more than 50% of respondents.
• 39% of respondents were familiar with probono.net/mn; 32% said it was important so there is a close correlation between familiarity and importance which is good. 11% said it was effective; 15% rated it as not effective and 73% did not respond as to effectiveness. There is a very definite target audience for this program. It is not known how many were among the survey respondents.

Directions and Priorities from Survey
Views on the profession:

• 65% agreed that "government should increase legal aid funding;" only 14% disagreed
• 56% agreed that "lawyers should increase their pro bono work for the disadvantaged;" only 16% disagreed
• 42% agreed that "lawyers should increase their financial contributions to legal aid programs;" 26% disagreed

Views on MSBA directions:

• 76% agreed that "the MSBA should support adequate funding for legal aid;" only 6% disagreed
• 59% agreed that "the MSBA should develop programs that provide lawyers with new ways to contribute pro bono services;" only 12% disagreed
• Both were among the five highest rated statements.

Areas to which the MSBA should commit a greater portion of its resources

• 62% agreed that more resources should be committed to securing funding for legal aid programs serving low-income clients; 12% disagreed
• 59% agreed that more resources should be committed to providing pro bono support; 9% disagreed