Henson & Efron attorneys have a long and distinguished record of serving the public interest within our local communities and beyond. We believe that pro bono work exemplifies the best traditions of our profession, and we encourage participation by all of our attorneys. In accordance with the Professional Rules of Responsibility, our policy encourages each attorney to contribute at least 50 hours of pro bono services each year. 

Henson & Efron's pro bono activities cover a broad spectrum of legal matters including civil rights, environmental protection, political asylum and immigration, real estate and land use matters, adoption and guardianship proceedings, family law matters, personal injury, and estate planning. In addition, our attorneys regularly staff legal services clinics and give advice and support to numerous legal aid organizations.

Henson & Efron attorneys also provide general corporate, contract, tax, intellectual property, dispute resolution, litigation and employment counseling and support to a variety of non-profit organizations. Our attorneys often assist in the formation and 501(c)(3) applications for these nonprofit organizations. In many instances, our attorneys provide support and leadership to nonprofit organizations as active board members and general counsel.

Henson & Efron's pro bono activities are coordinated by Joe Dixon. Henson & Efron receives pro bono requests directly from the Minnesota State Bar Association. Any request should be sent directly to the Minnesota State Bar Association for initial intake.

Current Highlights

David B. Olsen has been a member of Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) Urban Campaign Leadership Committee for several years. The Committee serves as a fundraising arm for SMRLS. In 2005, the Committee raised $637,000 -- the most successful in the Campaign's 15-year history. Almost half the amount was contributed by law firms, lawyers and bar related associations. The other half came from corporate support and government grants.

SMRLS is the oldest legal aid program in Minnesota , and will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2009. SMRLS' service area includes Ramsey , Washington and Dakota counties in the metro area, and all of southern Minnesota -- 33 counties in all and many in the poorest areas of the state. In 2005, SMRLS served over 10,000 low income clients in civil matters (housing, family law, domestic abuse, economic assistance, disability, health, employment, immigration etc.).

Mark L. Wilson has served since 2003 as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Center for Photography, a non-profit arts organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the creation and appreciation of photographic arts. During his tenure, MCP relocated to a beautifully renovated 8,000 square foot facility in Northeast Minneapolis and initiated its first capacity campaign.

Mark also serves as Vice-Chair for the Minnesota Community Foundation. The Minnesota Community Foundation is the statewide community foundation that has been bringing together individuals, organizations and communities for more than 50 years to help shape their visions for the future health and vitality of their communities through philanthropy. The Foundation helps manage more than 30 Community Funds from Argyle to Zumbrota and nearly 400 donor funds, providing guidance on charitable planning and grantmaking, and handling money management and investment services.

In addition, Mark is a member of the Board of Directors of Intergenerational Living & Health Care, Inc., an operation of several senior housing and skilled nursing facilities. He also serves as a member of the investment committee for the Endowment Committee for the Textile Center and was a founding director of Friends of FANA Minnesota, Inc.

Henson & Efron attorneys regularly represent criminal defense clients on appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court and Minnesota Court of Appeals. Cases are taken on referral from the Minnesota State Public Defender's Office and thereafter our attorneys handle every aspect of the appeal, including drafting all briefs to the appellate courts and presenting oral arguments before the courts. The cases routinely involve issues of constitutional dimension, including but not limited to the reasonableness of police searches, the fairness of police questioning, the vindication of the right to counsel and the provision of due process at every stage of the criminal prosecution. Cases also frequently involve non-constitutional issues of no less importance to our clients, such as the correct application of criminal statutes and the fairness of sentencing proceedings and the sentences themselves.

Jennie A. Clarke currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors and is President-Elect of the Textile Center , a nonprofit arts organization that is a national center for fiber art. Its mission is to honor textile traditions and promote excellence and innovation in fiber art. She first became involved in the Textile Center by becoming its Treasurer in 1999. During her first four years on the Board, including a one-year term as President, the Textile Center bought and renovated its building at 3000 University Ave. SE in Minneapolis and completed a $2,000,000 capital campaign. In addition to providing legal advice on the purchase, construction financing, leasing and other matters related to the building, Jennie provides support as general counsel and as a member of the Investment Committee for the endowment for Joan Mondale Gallery.

Jennie also serves as a member of the Board of Directors and Secretary for the Minnesota Center Photography, a non-profit arts organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the creation and appreciations of photographic arts. In addition, Jennie and other attorneys at Henson & Efron have been advising and supporting MCP in contract, employment, litigation and tax matters over the years.

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