Larkin Hoffman is committed to serving the communities in which we work. One of the most rewarding services we provide our community is legal services to those of limited means. We encourage all legal personnel to provide pro bono services and consider these services to be part of our practice.
Larkin Hoffman was one of the first 14 firms to sign on to the voluntary Minnesota State Bar Association Pro Bono Standard. As a leader in our profession, we commit to providing 2% of the firm’s billable hours to assisting individuals and organizations dedicated to addressing the needs of persons with limited means.
The firm’s attorneys are active members of chambers of commerce and city councils, and serve on the boards of local universities, hospitals and museums. Our employees have consistently participated in organizations such as The Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, the National MS Society, Bridging and the American Cancer Society. We do well by doing good, as this spirit of dedication and teamwork makes for a positive work environment and plays a vital role in successfully fulfilling the needs of thousands of clients. We are very proud of the community organizations we serve.
Recent Community Service Involvement
Larkin Hoffman Participates in Bloomington's First Annual Pride Event
On August 14, the City of Bloomington held its first annual Pride event on the east lawn of the Civic Plaza with entertainment, food, arts, crafts and games. Larkin Hoffman was proud to participate in the well-attended event with an information booth. Nic Puechner engaged with attendees including state representatives, firm friends, clients and the Mayor Tim Busse. We look forward to participating in the years to come!
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service 2021
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” The King Center recommends that private organizations and businesses honor Dr. King by encouraging employees to undertake community service work to address social needs on the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
On January 18, 2021, Larkin Hoffman will proudly honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by giving employees a day off to allow them time to reflect and participate in service. Traditionally, Larkin Hoffman has partnered with a local nonprofit for a "Day of Service" on this day. Due to COVID restrictions this year, we are encouraging our employees to use the day to help out on an individual level in our community.
Scott County’s FAST-TRACK Challenge for Start-Ups.
For the past four years, Scott County entrepreneurs have participated in an annual FAST-TRACK Business Challenge where they compete to win start-up cash and professional business services designed to fast-track start-up and first-stage businesses. Throughout the FAST-TRACK competition process, contestants are given an opportunity to fine-tune their business plans, prepare a pitch and connect with industry leaders.
This year, Joe Fittante, Chair of Larkin Hoffman’s Corporate Practice Group, participated as a member of the judging panel and has volunteered his services to assist the winners as they launch their products and services.
On October 22, 2020 five contestants presented their ideas to a panel of judges and three winners were selected. “The contestants did a great job and the presentations were all very interesting. The passion of the presenters for their brands was evident in each presentation.” said Joe Fittante, “The three winning proposals really stood out, I’m excited to see where they take their businesses.”
Congratulations to the Scott County 2020 FAST-TRACK Challenge winners: 1st Place-Jake De St. Hubert of Euroworx Automotive Specialist LLC. (New Prague), 2nd Place-Chathu Hettiarachichi of Fitness Boomers (Shakopee) and 3rd Place-Thomas Kosgei of IntelligentRx (Shakopee).
Melissa Bayne Receives 2019 Bob Hoffman Community Service Award
Larkin Hoffman is pleased to announce that Melissa Bayne has been honored as the firm’s recipient of the annual Bob Hoffman Community Service Award. The annual award is presented to an employee who most exemplifies the spirit of service to the community that was established as a guiding principle for the firm by our late founder Bob Hoffman. Bob built his reputation not only as a great real estate and land use attorney but also as a giant in community service. Throughout his long career, Bob helped establish and oversee many important nonprofit organizations.
Melissa has distinguished herself through a long history of community involvement, particularly serving individuals with special needs. She serves on the board of directors of both River Valley Riders, a therapeutic horseback riding and carriage driving program and Living Well Disability Services which provide services to people impacted by intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities.
“Melissa has a unique capacity to listen well, ask astute and insightful questions, and then synthesize what she has heard into meaningful guidance,” said Julie Manworren, former Living Well Disability Services CEO. “Melissa maintains a clear focus on quality improvement and has made a substantive difference in our ability to demonstrate the impact of our work with the broader community while helping build the skills of staff during the process.”
Larkin Hoffman President, Paul Smith, who has worked with Melissa for many years said, “Melissa’s caring support and guidance of individuals living with disabilities and their families is a great example of the spirit the Bob Hoffman Community Service Award symbolizes,” noting “I’m grateful for the many hours Melissa has dedicated to this community and am pleased to honor her generous donation of time and effort with the Bob Hoffman Award.”
Over the past six years the Bob Hoffman Community Service Award has been issued to two administrative employees and four attorneys within the firm. Along with client service, “giving back to the community” is one of the principles Bob Hoffman and Jim Larkin used in founding Larkin Hoffman.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service 2019
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” The King Center recommends that private organizations and businesses honor Dr. King by encouraging employees to undertake community service work to address social needs on the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
On January 21, 2019, Larkin Hoffman proudly honored the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in a day of service. This year Larkin Hoffman partnered with Bridging to build furniture for individuals transitioning out of homelessness. Firm employees and their families assembled 27 new dressers for Bridging clients at Bridging’s warehouse in Bloomington, Minnesota.
“Larkin Hoffman employees perform community service work together throughout the year to address our community’s social needs,” said Dayle Nolan, chair of the firm’s Diversity Committee. “On this holiday, we appreciated the opportunity to build dressers for Bridging clients in honor of Dr. King’s vision.”
Bridging, a nonprofit organization serving primarily the greater Twin Cities, provides donated furniture and household goods to families and individuals transitioning out of homelessness and poverty. Bridging is driven by volunteers and donations of basic home essential items from the community. Since 1987, Bridging has served more than 90,000 local Twin Cities households and reduces landfill space by 10 million pounds each year. Larkin Hoffman proudly partnered with Bridging for its fifth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.
Fifth Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
On Monday, January 21, 2019, Larkin Hoffman proudly will continue its tradition of partnering with a nonprofit organization in a day of service to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year we will partner with Bridging, a nonprofit that provides donated furniture and household items to individuals transitioning out of homelessness. Firm employees and their families will build 27 new dressers for Bridging clients at Bridging’s warehouse in Bloomington, Minnesota.