Overview
Jodie Boderman develops and manages pro bono initiatives for the firm’s lawyers and paralegals to volunteer their unique professional skills, focused on addressing the unmet legal needs of disadvantaged and underserved persons. Jodie liaises with numerous nonprofit public interest, charitable, community and legal services organizations in need of pro bono legal services for themselves and/or their clients.
Jodie evaluates pro bono requests, develops potential projects, recruits volunteers, organizes legal teams, and coordinates training and support. Her areas of proficiency include:
Pro Bono Clinics
Jodie manages the firm's involvement in over 10 community-based legal clinics in Minnesota. She also led a multiprovider, multidisciplinary Legal Section to serve clients at over 25 Project Homeless Connect events in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Housing Advocacy
For over 24 years, Jodie has managed an award-winning housing advocacy practice focused on the needs of low-income tenants at every point on the continuum of service—including impact litigation and policy work, individual case representation, and regular service at legal advice clinics. She also serves on multiple collaborative groups working to preserve and increase stable, safe and affordable housing in the Minneapolis area.
Professionalization of Pro Bono
Jodie has also contributed to the professionalization of pro bono professionals in private law firms. She was instrumental in the establishment of a formal pro bono and community service department at the firm. She also assists the firm and the Faegre Baker Daniels Foundation in grant review related to pro bono and legal service-related nonprofit organizations.
Jodie joined the firm in 1990 as a litigation paralegal and began serving in a pro bono program capacity in 1994.
Personal Interests
Jodie enjoys golf, yoga and waterskiing.Credentials
Education
Minnesota Paralegal Institute
Paralegal Certificate (1991)
Macalester College
B.A. (1988)
Insights & Events
Latest
Insights
News
Other Perspectives
- Housing Matters
Pro Bono Institute’s Annual Pro Bono Conference, 2018 - Getting Along and Working Together
Pro Bono Institute’s Annual Pro Bono Conference, 2015 - Meeting the Emerging Needs of Underserved Communities with Pro Bono Resources
Trends and Best Practices in Corporate Pro Bono, Twin Cities Chief Legal Officers Group, 2013 - Leveraging Technology to Expand Pro Bono Capacity
Pro Bono Institute’s Annual Pro Bono Conference, 2012 - Beyond Budgeting: Getting and Keeping the Pro Bono Resources You Need
Pro Bono Institute’s Annual Pro Bono Conference, 2010 - Involving Non-Lawyer Staff in Pro Bono
Pro Bono Institute’s Annual Pro Bono Conference, 2008 - Getting Past “We Can’t Do That”: A Case Study
Pro Bono Institute’s Annual Pro Bono Conference, 2007
Leadership & Community
Professional Associations
- American Pro Bono Counsel (APBCo)
- Twin Cities Law Firm Pro Bono Professionals (TCPBP)— Founding Member
- Minnesota State Bar Association — Task Force on Business Law Pro Bono, 2002-04
- Hennepin & Ramsey County Bar Associations — “Call to Justice” Legal Hotline Task Force and Public Education Advisory Panel, 2002-04
- Minnesota Paralegal Association — Board of Directors; Legislative Committee (Chair); Representative to National Federation of Paralegal Associations
Civic Activities
- Volunteer Lawyers Network — Housing Law Committee, 2003-present (Chair, 2011-18)
- Pro Bono Institute’s Minnesota Collaborative Justice Initiative on Re-Entry — Founding & Steering Committee Member, 2014-present
- Hennepin County Housing Court — Bench & Bar Committee, 2016-present
- Minneapolis Rental Property Advisory Committee, 2016-present
- Hennepin County Pro Bono Services Group, 2012-present
- LegalCORPS — Board of Directors, 2004-15; Outreach Committee, 2004-12; Clinics/Program Committee, 2011-15
Firm Leadership
- Pro Bono Committee
Honors
- Volunteer Lawyers Network — John D. Levine Distinguished Service Award, 2020
- Faegre Drinker — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2020-22
- Faegre Baker Daniels – Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2018-19
- Volunteer Lawyers Network — Housing Volunteer of the Year Award, 2017
- Minnesota Justice Foundation — Outstanding Service by Advocate, 2010
- Minnesota Paralegal Association — Outstanding Paralegal Award, 1991
Awards Methodology
No aspect of these recognitions has been approved by the highest court of any state.
No aspect of these recognitions has been approved by the highest court of any state.