2024-10-29T08:27:19+00:00 2023-12-31 390859910 Baker Tilly Advisory Group LP 225 South 6th St Suite 2300 Minneapolis MN 55402 990 2023-01-01 411316151 SOUTHERN MN REGIONAL LEGAL SERVICES INC SOUT 6512289823 55 EAST FIFTH STREET ST PAUL MN 551011717 JESSIE R NICHOLSON CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 2024-10-29 false true Karen A Gries P00078514 6128764500 2024-10-29 2023 2024-10-15 13:58:12Z JESSIE R NICHOLSON 55 EAST FIFTH STREET ST PAUL MN 551011717 14405763 false X WWW.SMRLS.ORG X 1977 MN SEE SCHEDULE O 15 15 150 80 0 0 11617877 14076004 35527 41990 15776 245079 119375 -433 11788555 14362640 0 0 10095949 11615647 0 283820 2443215 2707288 12539164 14322935 -750609 39705 8201896 9696967 4026686 5481532 4175210 4215435 TO PROVIDE A FULL RANGE OF HIGH QUALITY LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW INCOME PERSONS AND ELIGIBLE CLIENT GROUPS IN CIVIL MATTERS, IN A RESPECTFUL MANNER WHICH ENABLES CLIENTS TO: 1.) ENFORCE THEIR LEGAL RIGHTS, 2.) OBTAIN EFFECTIVE ACCESS TO THE COURTS, ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES AND FORUMS WHICH CONSTITUTE OUR SYSTEM OF JUSTICE, 3.) MAINTAIN FREEDOM FROM HUNGER, HOMELESSNESS, SICKNESS AND ABUSE, AND 4.) EMPOWER PERSONS AND ASSURE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, THUS HELPING PEOPLE TO HELP THEMSELVES AND BECOME ECONOMICALLY SELF-RELIANT, TO THE EXTENT THEIR INDIVIDUAL ABILITIES AND CIRCUMSTANCES PERMIT. false false 11656532 41990 Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, Inc. (SMRLS or the Organization) was formed in 1909 in St. Paul as a branch of Associated Charities to provide legal advice and representation to low-income people. In 1977, SMRLS expanded its services to 32 additional counties in the southern third of the state and to migrant farm workers in Minnesota and North Dakota. In 2016, the definition of clients eligible to be served through the migrant program was broadened to agricultural workers and that program has been renamed. A significant portion of SMRLS' operations is funded through grants from the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), a private, not-for-profit corporation established by Congress in 1974 to assure equal access to justice under the law for all Americans. LSC is headed by a bipartisan Board of Directors appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate. During 2023, SMRLS served 10,940 clients (28,464 household members) with more than 12,096 legal matters. In addition, approximately 9,584 families and individuals benefit from SMRLS' preventative law and community education work and approximately 46,324 people accessed the website. SMRLS employs 62 attorneys and 55 non-attorney staff. SMRLS currently has offices in St. Paul, Mankato, Rochester, Winona, Albert Lea, Worthington and Moorhead, as well as several community organizations including medical-legal partnerships at a hospital and community clinics. SMRLS has gained national recognition for its tradition of sound management and innovative approaches to provide legal services for low-income people. SMRLS' nationally respected comprehensive needs assessment process, and its diversity and leadership development work, have resulted in an effective, community-based and collaborative law practice. SMRLS' operational strategic plan, The Vision for 2018 and Beyond (the strategic plan), has driven the reorganization of the Migrant programs into the Agricultural Worker Programs, establishment of a continuous process improvement effort in the intake process, addition of a human resources manager, development of a new executive leadership team and outsourcing of a portion of the IT function. Changes are focused on improving the ability of the Organization to respond to the new needs of the client population in our services area. In June 2023, the SMRLS Board of Directors adopted a plan for the next stage of SMRLS' strategic development, 2023+ Beyond Strategic Framework. SMRLS has strong working relationships with statewide local bar associations, lawyers, the state legislature, business and governmental entities and client groups. Through a series of innovative urban and rural Volunteer Attorney Programs, 80 volunteer attorneys donated approximately 1,359 hours of case representation time to eligible clients in 2023. 11656532 true true false true false false false false false true false false true true true true false false false false false false false true false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 6 0 150 true false false false false false false false false false false false false X 15 15 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true false false false MN X VANNAM KHEN 6517888444 55 EAST FIFTH STREET STE 800 ST PAUL MN 551011717 ANDREW M BAESE SECRETARY 5.0 X X 0 0 0 BRENDA DEVLIN 1ST VICE PRESIDENT 5.0 X X 0 0 0 BRETT W OLANDER PRESIDENT 5.0 X X 0 0 0 TERRANCE CS NEWBY 2ND VICE PRESIDENT 5.0 X X 0 0 0 THOMAS B HATCH TREASURER 5.0 X X 0 0 0 ABDI SABRIE DIRECTOR 1.0 X 0 0 0 BRETT STRAND DIRECTOR 1.0 X 0 0 0 ELIZABETH WEBSTER DIRECTOR 1.0 X 0 0 0 GRETCHEN CEPEK DIRECTOR 1.0 X 0 0 0 JAN MARIE LUNGREN DIRECTOR 1.0 X 0 0 0 JIM SUK DIRECTOR 1.0 X 0 0 0 JOSHUA MURPHY DIRECTOR 1.0 X 0 0 0 PAM JAMES DIRECTOR 1.0 X 0 0 0 SAMANTHA SUTTAN DIRECTOR 1.0 X 0 0 0 TASHONDA WILLIAMSON DIRECTOR 1.0 X 0 0 0 JESSIE R NICHOLSON CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 50.0 X 174551 0 5653 VANNAM KHEN DIRECTOR OF FINANCE 45.0 X 104517 0 12270 LAURA K JELINEK SENIOR LEADERSHIP ATTORNEY 45.0 X 135117 0 17189 LAURA S MELNICK LEAD ATTORNEY 45.0 X 145420 0 14121 MARGARET ERICKSON SUPERVISING ATTORNEY 45.0 X 140546 0 13306 THOMAS KRAUSE ASST DIR OF LITIGATION & ADVOCACY 45.0 X 164078 0 14032 VALERIE K SNYDER LEAD ATTORNEY 45.0 X 143139 0 13724 1007368 0 90295 18 false true false ROBERT HALF MANAGEMENT RESOURCES 2613 CAMINO RAMON SAN RAMON CA 94583 TEMPORARY STAFFING AGENCY 163095 SCION STAFFING INC 415 SW 2ND AVE PORTLAND OR 97204 TEMPORARY STAFFING AGENCY 126211 2 131900 163125 13219244 561735 14076004 SPECIAL SERVICES FEES 541100 41990 41990 0 0 0 0 41990 245079 245079 0 0 0 0 42690 163125 43123 -433 -433 0 0 0 0 0 14362640 41990 0 244646 296990 246322 47619 3049 8525509 7031887 1409586 84036 173361 159578 10604 3179 1979318 1818311 125030 35977 640469 588371 40457 11641 152551 152551 136366 136366 434625 159043 174779 100803 4385 4385 286541 15573 268095 2873 299887 243412 50205 6270 730131 678836 51295 73920 58750 15165 5 49393 49393 52434 52434 COALITION SUPPORT 295403 295403 TRAINING DUES & SUBSCRI 74200 72559 1641 COUNTY & OTHER SUPPORT 49831 49831 EVENTS 35462 35462 32159 29286 2348 525 14322935 11656532 2382583 283820 3349462 5751569 2100000 0 984551 624396 0 0 0 0 70496 119230 1126746 1000599 171040 126147 16116 17798 0 0 1510231 3057827 8201896 9696967 1686796 1267523 778136 1055948 0 0 1561754 3158061 4026686 5481532 4146078 4194699 29132 20736 4175210 4215435 8201896 9696967 39705 520 0 X false true X true true true X 11237018 10129533 10129044 11617877 14076004 57189476 0 0 11237018 10129533 10129044 11617877 14076004 57189476 0 57189476 36563 14626 10879 14718 245079 321865 0 58343 37448 5195 26711 0 127697 57639038 225617 0.9922 0.9949 X Schedule A, Part II, Line 10 Other Income DESCRIPTION - , COLUMN A - 58343.0, COLUMN B - 37448.0, COLUMN C - 5195.0, COLUMN D - 26711.0, COLUMN E - 0.0, COLUMN F - 127697.0; RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED false true false false false false true 0 false true 0 false Schedule C, Part II-B, Line 1 ORGANIZATION ENGAGED A LAW FIRM PRO BONO TO REPRESENT SMRLS IN PROVIDING MINNESOTA GOVERNMENT RELATIONS SERVICES TO OBTAIN STATEWIDE FUNDING FOR LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME PEOPLE FROM THE STATE OF MINNESOTA. 223695 223695 0 520666 394519 126147 382385 382385 0 126147 Client Escrow Funds 1006 Right-of-use asset 3056821 3057827 Client Trust Deposits 1006 Lease Liability 3157055 3158061 14846504 520 440221 43123 483864 14362640 0 0 14362640 14806279 440221 43123 483344 14322935 0 0 14322935 Schedule D, Part X, Line 2 The Internal Revenue Service has determined that the Organization is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Organization is also exempt from state income taxes. However, any unrelated business income may be subject to taxation. The Organization follows the accounting standards for contingencies in evaluating uncertain tax positions. This guidance prescribes recognition threshold principles for the financial statement recognition of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return that are not certain to be realized. Under this guidance, the Organization may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. Examples of tax positions include the tax-exempt status of the Organization and various tax positions related to potential sources of unrelated business income. No liability has been recognized by the Organization for uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. The Organization's tax returns are subject to review and examination by federal and state authorities. Schedule D, Part XI, Line 2(d) Other revenues in audited financial statements not in form 990 DIRECT FUNDRAISING EVENT EXPENSES - 43123 Schedule D, Part XII, Line 2(d) Other expenses in audited financial statements not in form 990 direct fundraising event expenses - 43123 LAWYERS ON ICE 19675 14375 5300 1459 1657 2307 SOCIAL JUSTICE UNCORKED 186140 148750 37390 6838 18808 10989 1065 0 205815 163125 42690 8297 20465 10989 3372 43123 -433 X X false false false false false false false false false JESSIE R NICHOLSON CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 174551 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5653 0 180204 0 0 0 THOMAS KRAUSE ASST DIR OF LITIGATION & ADVOCACY 164078 0 0 0 0 0 5044 0 8988 0 178110 0 0 0 LAURA S MELNICK LEAD ATTORNEY 145420 0 0 0 0 0 5050 0 9071 0 159541 0 0 0 VALERIE K SNYDER LEAD ATTORNEY 143139 0 0 0 0 0 4636 0 9088 0 156863 0 0 0 MARGARET ERICKSON SUPERVISING ATTORNEY 140546 0 0 0 0 0 4374 0 8932 0 153852 0 0 0 LAURA K JELINEK SENIOR LEADERSHIP ATTORNEY 135117 0 0 0 0 0 4498 0 12691 0 152306 0 0 0 Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b Review of form 990 by governing body SMRLS' PRESIDENT REVIEWS FORM 990 PRIOR TO BEING FILED WITH THE IRS. THE FORM 990 WAS PROVIDED TO THE BOARD FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE ELECTRONICALLY PRIOR TO BEING FILED WITH THE IRS. Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c Conflict of interest policy THE ORGANIZATION'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY COVERS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES WHO CAN INFLUENCE THE ACTIONS OF SMRLS. THE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT IS COMPLETED ANNUALLY AND RETURNED TO MANAGEMENT FOR REVIEW. DISCLOSURE OF A CONFLICT WITHIN SMRLS IS MADE TO THE CEO (OR BOARD PRESIDENT IF THE CEO IS THE PERSON WITH THE CONFLICT) WHO SHALL BRING THE BOARD PRESIDENT. THE BOARD OR AUTHORIZED COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD SHALL DETERMINE WHETHER A CONFLICT EXISTS AND WHETHER THE CONTEMPLATED TRANSACTION MAY BE UNDERTAKEN. ANY INDIVIDUAL WITH A POTENTIAL CONFLICT IS EXCUSED FROM ALL DISCUSSIONS AND VOTING ON ANY TRANSACTIONS WHERE A CONFLICT IS DETERMINED TO EXIST. ALL PROCEEDINGS RELATED TO POTENTIAL AND ACTUAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST ARE NOTED IN THE MEETING MINUTES. Form 990, Part VI, Line 19 Required documents available to the public THE ORGANIZATION MAKES SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON ITS WEBSITE IN THE ANNUAL REPORT. THE ORGANIZATION MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO FUNDERS UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART I, LINE 1, DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION MISSION: TO PROVIDE A FULL RANGE OF HIGH QUALITY LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW INCOME PERSONS AND ELIGIBLE CLIENT GROUPS IN CIVIL MATTERS, IN A RESPECTFUL MANNER WHICH ENABLES CLIENTS TO: 1.) ENFORCE THEIR LEGAL RIGHTS, 2.) OBTAIN EFFECTIVE ACCESS TO THE COURTS, ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES AND FORUMS WHICH CONSTITUTE OUR SYSTEM OF JUSTICE, 3.) MAINTAIN FREEDOM FROM HUNGER, HOMELESSNESS, SICKNESS AND ABUSE, AND 4.) EMPOWER PERSONS AND ASSURE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, THUS HELPING PEOPLE TO HELP THEMSELVES AND BECOME ECONOMICALLY SELF-RELIANT, TO THE EXTENT THEIR INDIVIDUAL ABILITIES AND CIRCUMSTANCES PERMIT. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15: THE CEO ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW INCLUDES A SURVEY OF SMRLS STAFF, BOARD MEMBERS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS. THE ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW CONSIDERS THE CEO'S ANNUAL WORK PLAN. THE CEO'S ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORT IS DRAFTED BY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE PRESENTS ITS FINDINGS DIRECTLY TO THE CEO. THE CEO IS PROVIDED A REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR FEEDBACK AND COMMENT ON THE PERFORMANCE REVIEW REPORT. THE PERFORMANCE REVIEW REPORT ADDRESSES PAST PERFORMANCE AND FUTURE GOALS OR OBJECTIVES.. FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF THE ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW, THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REVIEWS THE CEO'S ANNUAL SALARY. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CONSIDERS THE CURRENT SMRLS ATTORNEY SALARY STRUCTURE, LSC AND NON-LSC PROGRAM CEO SALARY DATA AND OTHER LEGAL INDUSTRY SALARY INFORMATION. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ALSO CONSIDERS CURRENT FRINGE BENEFITS IN DETERMINING THE CEO'S ANNUAL SALARY. THIS ANNUAL REVIEW PROCESS TYPICALLY TAKES APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MONTHS. THE PROCESS IS BOARD DRIVEN. THE COMPENSATION FOR THE CEO WAS LAST REVIEWED IN 2021.