Minnesota Lawyer Highlights Jim Volling’s Pro Bono Work and Advocacy

The Minnesota Lawyer highlighted litigation senior counsel Jim Volling’s dedication to pro bono work and his advocacy for the rights of children and convicted individuals in the article “‘It’s a calling’: ABA honors Volling’s pro bono work.”

Volling, who was recently recognized by the American Bar Association with the “Pro Bono Publico Award,” told the publication that he sees pro bono work “as a calling.”

The publication noted that Volling’s pro bono work has centered on three main areas: children, post-conviction representation and prison reentry. Volling discussed how he helped a man facing the death penalty who struggled finding legal representation. Volling and his team represented that individual for seven years, eventually succeeding in vacating the sentence.

Since then, Volling has been a pro bono leader in the legal field, both nationally and in Minnesota. Volling has served as chair of the Board of Directors for the Advocates for Human Rights, and currently is chair of the Board of Directors for the Great North Innocence Project (formerly, the Innocence Project of Minnesota).

“Being able to level the playing field, being able to represent someone when the government or a wealthy corporate party is on the other side, and you level the playing field and you help someone, it brings integrity to the justice system,” Volling added.