Adult Representation Services

Dedicated advocacy

The Hennepin County Adult Representation Services Department is an independent county organization that provides advocacy to clients experiencing poverty in civil matters where they are entitled to an attorney. We connect our clients to resources to support them in achieving self-sufficiency and serve as advocates to protect their rights both in and outside of court.

We are not affiliated with the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office or the Hennepin County Child Support Division. Consultation with us is confidential.

Job opening

Apply for a permanent position of case management assistant.

Programs and service areas

We help people navigate a variety of complex legal issues, including eviction, child protection cases, guardianship, and more. Learn about our programs and services.

Featured stories

Read about our clients and staff, the positive impact ARS has on people’s lives, and how our work affects disparity reductions.

Upcoming ARS clinics and resource events

From March through August 2024, you can visit the ARS table at one of three Hennepin County libraries. We’re also hosting two walk-in clinics.

ARS principal attorney Jessica Ryan, with colleagues by her side, speaks at a community event celebrating a U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA).

Protecting the rights of American Indian families isn’t just a job, it’s a mission

For ARS attorney Jessica Ryan, working to protect the rights of American Indian families is a professional and personal mission. Her depth of knowledge is an incredible benefit to the clients served by ARS.

Five years of growth and impact

This year marks the 5-year anniversary of Adult Representation Services. We have grown from two staff and 1,000 cases in our first year to 76 staff and more than 3,400 cases at the halfway mark of 2023.

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