Alysia Zens
PEOPLE

Alysia Zens

Pro Bono Counsel
zens.alysia@dorsey.com

Overview

Alysia serves as pro bono counsel and focuses upon transactional work, connecting Dorsey attorneys and in-house counsel with nonprofit and start-up organizations and low-income individuals in need of pro bono assistance.
Before joining Dorsey’s Pro Bono Administrative team full-time, Alysia was an associate in Dorsey’s Tax, Trusts and Estate Department, where she worked with families and companies interested in supporting and creating nonprofit organizations. Since 2005, Alysia has specifically focused upon building and facilitating pro bono opportunities for the firm's transactional attorneys, as well as coordinating pro bono work in partnership with Dorsey’s clients whose lawyers also have strong commitments to giving back to our communities. Alysia frequently presents on nonprofit governance issues, coordinates nonprofit clinic events, and coordinates wills events for low-income seniors.

Education & Admissions

University of Minnesota Law School (J.D., 2000), cum laude

University of South Dakota (M.B.A., 2000)

University of South Dakota (B.S., Business Administration, 1996), with honors

Admissions

  • Minnesota

Professional & Civic

Professional Achievements

Professional

  • Co-Chair, Pro Bono Committee, Minnesota State Bar Association Business Law Section (2021 – Present)
  • Board of Directors, LegalCORPS (Director 2015 – 2025, Emeritus Director 2025-Present)
  • Member, Minnesota State Bar Association Access to Justice Committee (2005 – Present)
  • Founder, Board of Directors, Eastwood Foundation for Teen Parents (2002 – Present)
  • Member, Minnesota State Bar Association (2000 – Present)
  • Member, Hennepin County Bar Association (2000 – Present)
  • Board of Directors, Volunteer Lawyers Network (2005 – 2024)

Accolades

  Dorsey Pro Bono Champion  Diversity Inclusion Recognition 2023  Attorney at Law Attorney of the Month  North Star Lawyer logo

  • Consistently providing pro bono legal assistance to those in need through Dorsey’s Pro Bono program.
  • Dorsey & Whitney – Scales of Justice Team Award (Rebuilding Our Community Webinar Series), 2021
  • Contributed more than 50+ Diversity hours, 2021-2023
  • Minnesota Attorney at Law, Attorney of the Month, September 2020
  • LegalCORPS Volunteer of the Year, 2020
  • MSBA North Star Lawyer, 2012-2023
Alysia Zens