Since 2021, Campbell Knutson attorneys, law clerks, and assistants have been actively involved in pro bono activities with two programs: Advocates for Human Rights (Advocates), and Just Deeds.
Last year, Campbell Knutson lawyers Jared Shepherd, Leah Koch, and Meagan Kelley, as well as legal assistants, provided approximately 175 hours of free legal services to individuals seeking asylum. In May of 2022, after a 6-year effort, Campbell Knutson’s client Bridget Chigunwe was granted asylum after a merit hearing in Immigration Court. Ms. Chigunwe serves on the Board of Directors of the Advocates. Jared Shepherd has served as a volunteer attorney with the Advocates since approximately 2016. Campbell Knutson valued its partnerships with the Advocates and the opportunity to work with courageous clients like Ms. Chigunwe.
In 2022, the firm continued its partnership with Just Deeds. Campbell Knutson lawyers, legal assistants, and law clerks provided approximately 400 hours of free legal services for individuals seeing to discharge racially restrictive covenants from their property records. Firm Partner Jared Shepherd is a co-founder of Just Deeds and member of its Leadership Circle. Campbell Knutson partners with its clients Edina and St. Louis Park to provide residents with this service, which is an effort to acknowledge the purposeful segregation of our communities through housing and its impacts. The firm values its collaboration with Edina and St. Louis Park and their commitment to this project. There are 20 Minnesota cities participating in the Just Deeds project.