Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association

While MNAPABA as an organization does not, and can not, offer direct legal services to clients or take or endorse any political positions, we are committed to ensuring that our community has access to resources to understand their rights and seek legal representation. The information contained below is not intended to be an exhaustive list of information, but a starting point. If you are seeking a referral for an attorney from our community or additional resources, please email mnapaba@gmail.com. While we cannot promise that we will be able to find you an attorney, we will distribute the request to our network and relay any connections.

  • Tue, January 13, 2026 10:05 PM | Brandon Luu (Administrator)

    Our National Organization

    National Asian Pacific American Bar Association http://www.napaba.org/

    The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is the national association of Asian Pacific American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students. NAPABA represents the interests of almost 50,000 attorneys and nearly 75 state and local Asian Pacific American bar associations. NAPABA continues to be a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian Pacific American communities.


    Local Diversity Bar Organizations (for Attorneys)

    Twin Cities Diversity In Practice (TCDIP) http://www.diversityinpractice.org/

    Diversity in Practice is a nonprofit association comprised of the leading Twin-Cities legal employers with the vision to create a vibrant and inclusive legal community and mission to strengthen the efforts of member organizations to attract, recruit, advance, and retain attorneys of color.

    Hmong American Bar Association https://www.facebook.com/habaminn.org/

    Minnesota American Indian Bar Association (MAIBA) http://www.maiba.org/

    NNABA shares many of the same goals of diversity and increased understanding of our communities’ unique cultural and legal issues with minority bar associations. However, most of our lawyers are both U.S. citizens and citizens of their respective Tribal nations. Our members, therefore, also share the communal responsibility, either directly or indirectly, of protecting the governmental sovereignty of the more than 560 independent Native American Tribal governments in the United States.

    Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers (MABL) http://www.mabl.org/

    The Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers (MABL) is the leading minority bar association whose mission is to promote and support the professional development of Black lawyers, judges, and law students in Minnesota. To this end, MABL is committed to the overall goal of representing the interests of Black citizens and their community in the legal profession and in the judicial system throughout the state.

    Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association (MHBA) http://www.minnhba.org/

    The Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association (MHBA) was founded to organize Hispanic attorneys, judges, law students and other concerned members of the Hispanic community into a force for professional and community benefit. The MHBA mission is to unify and organize all members of the Hispanic legal community, to promote legal professionals, and to serve as an advocate for the Hispanic community in Minnesota.

    Minnesota Lavender Bar Association (MLBA) http://www.mnlavbar.org/

    The Minnesota Lavender Bar Association (MLBA) is the primary Association of attorneys in Minnesota supporting the LGBT Community.  The Association was started in response to the limited opportunities for LGBT lawyers and law students to network, learn together, and address homophobia within the profession.

    North American Somali Bar Association (NASBA) https://www.facebook.com/pages/North-American-Somali-Bar-Association/549306735155645

    The North American Somali Bar Association (NASBA) is a continental association of attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students of Somali heritage. As a bar association, NASBA affords Somali legal professionals a special forum to discuss issues, facilitate the exchange of ideas and foster fellowship. NASBA also promotes professional development, networking and mentorship opportunity for its members.

    Minnesota Women Lawyers (MWL) http://www.mwlawyers.org/

    Minnesota Women Lawyers (MWL) is an association of more than 1,300 attorneys, judges, law students, legal employers and others who are dedicated to advancing the success of women attorneys and striving for a just society. Since its inception in 1972, MWL has provided opportunities for members to develop as leaders, network with other attorneys, and have an impact on their communities by fostering a greater satisfaction within the profession.

    Minnesota Infinity Project http://www.theinfinityproject.org/minnesota.htm

    The Infinity Project’s mission is to increase the gender diversity of the state and federal bench to ensure the quality of justice in the Eighth Circuit. The Infinity Project believes it is necessary to have a bench that reflects the society as a whole so that judicial decisions take into account differing life experiences and points of view.


    Other Local Attorney Organizations

    Minnesota State Bar Association http://www.mnbar.org/

    The Minnesota State Bar Association is the oldest professional association for attorneys in Minnesota.  For licensed attorneys in Minnesota, membership is voluntary.  Membership is open to any attorney licensed to practice law in any state.

    Minnesota Justice Foundation https://www.mnjustice.org/

    MJF strives for justice by creating opportunities for law students to perform public interest and pro bono legal services.

    Hennepin County Bar Association http://www.hcba.org/

    Ramsey County Bar Association http://www.ramseybar.org/

    Anoka Bar Association http://www.anokabar.com/

    Minnesota Chapter - Federal Bar Association http://www.fedbar.org/minnesota.html  

    American Immigration Lawyers Association - Minnesota / Dakotas Chapter (AILA) http://www.ailamndak.org/


    Asian Pacific American Organizations Serving Minnesota

    AK Connection www.akconnection.com/

    Asian American Center for Advancing Justice https://www.advancingjustice.org/

    Asian American Press www.aapress.com

    Asian Economic Development Association www.aeda-mn.org

    Asian Media Access North http://ww2.amamedia.org/

    Asian Women United of MN https://www.lawhelpmn.org/organization/asian-women-united-of-minnesota-awum

    Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations www.aapcho.org

    CAAM Chinese Dance Theater www.caamcdt.org

    Center For Asian and Pacific Islanders https://www.capiusa.org

    Center for Hmong Arts and Talent https://www.aboutchat.org

    Center for Hmong Studies - Concordia University, St. Paul https://hmongcenter.csp.edu

    Chinese American Association of Minnesota www.caam.org

    Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans https://mn.gov/capm/

    Cultural Society of Filipino Americans https://www.facebook.com/csfamn/

    Hmong ABC https://www.hmongabc.com

    Hmong American Partnership www.hmong.org/

    Hmong Cultural Center www.hmongcc.org/

    Hmong Pages https://www.hmongpage.com

    Hmong Times www.hmongtimes.com/

    Hospitality Center for Chinese www.hcchinese.org

    India Association of Minnesota www.iamn.org/

    Indonesian Performing Arts Association of Minnesota (dba SUMUNAR) https://givemn.org/organization/Indonesian-Performing-Arts-Association-Of-Minnesota

    Japan American Society of Minnesota www.mn-japan.org

    Karen Organization-Minnesota https://www.mnkaren.org/

    Katha Dance Theatre www.kathadance.org/

    Korean Association of Minnesota www.mnkorea.org

    Korean Quarterly www.koreanquarterly.org/

    Lao Advancement Organization of America www.laoamerica.org

    Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota www.laocenter.org

    Minnesota China Friendship Garden Society www.mnchinagarden.org/

    Minnesota Chinese Music Ensemble www.minnesotachinesemusic.com

    Minnesota Council of Nonprofits www.minnesotanonprofits.org

    Minnesota Hmong Chamber of Commerce https://www.hmongchamber.com

    National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum https://napawf.org/

    R.G.K. Modern Indian Dance Academy www.rgkdance.org

    Ragamala Dance Company https://www.ragamaladance.org

    Sewa-Aifw https://www.sewa-aifw.org/

    Southeast Asian Refugee Community Home www.sabanorthamerica.com

    The Saint Paul & Minnesota Community Foundations https://www.mncommunityfoundation.org/saint-paul-and-minnesota-community-foundations-welcomes-new-board-chair-and-three-new-board-members

    Tibet Online www.tibet.org

    Twin City Chinese Christian Church www.tcccc.org/en

    UCAMIN www.ucamn.org/

    US-China Peoples Friendship Association www.uscpfa.org

    Vietnamese Community of MN www.vietnam-minnesota.org

    Vietnamese Social Services of Minnesota www.vssmn.org

    Wilder Social Adjustment Program for Southeast Asians https://www.wilder.org/Programs-Services/Southeast-Asian-Services/Pages/default.aspx

    Mental Health & Well Being Resources

    AAPI Mental Health Resources https://centricbh.com/aapi-lgbtq-substance-abuse-and-mental-illness-support/

    Alcoholics Anonymous https://alcoholicsanonymous.com/

    Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers https://www.mnlcl.org/

    Live Another Day https://liveanotherday.org/about/


    Other Community Organizations

    Jewish Community Relations Council: Minnesota & the Dakotas

    As the public affairs voice of the Jewish community, the JCRC fights anti-Semitism and prejudice, advocates for Israel, provides Holocaust education, promotes tolerance and social justice, and builds bridges across the Jewish and broader communities.

    Provides a free, confidential Lawyer Assistance Program for Minnesota lawyers, judges, and law students, and for their immediate family members.


  • Wed, August 13, 2025 7:25 AM | Raoul Shah (Administrator)

    The following are organizations that can help connect you with a pro bono attorney in various areas:

    Volunteer Lawyers Network: Housing, Evictions, Immigration, Family Law, Divorces, Criminal Expungements, and various other needs.

    Tubman: Domestic violence orders for protection and Harassment Restraining Orders

    Pro Se Project: Federal Court resources and connections for pro se litigants

    Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid: Various issues, including rights for disabled individuals

    Southern Minnesota Legal Regional Services: Various civil law areas, including family law, housing, immigration, government benefits, senior law, and education, in southern Minnesota and several other counties around the metro

    Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota: Immigration

  • Wed, August 13, 2025 7:21 AM | Raoul Shah (Administrator)

    Please see the links below for some organizations that work in the immigration field and information that those organizations have compiled.


    https://www.aila.org/legal-resources/client-flyers

    https://www.ilcm.org/immigration-resources/know-your-rights/

Mailing Address:
MNAPABA c/o Minnesota State Bar Association

33 South 6th Street, Suite 4540, Minneapolis, MN 55402

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