Media, Interviews and Profiles

Lawrence Reed McDonough

Attorney at Law


2024

 

 

Madison McVanm Minneapolis Section 8 protection ordinance withstands legal challenge, Minnesota Reformer, January 22, 2024 (interviewed)

https://minnesotareformer.com/2024/01/22/minneapolis-section-8-protection-ordinance-withstands-legal-challenge/

2023

 

 

Sarah Thamer, DOJ Alleges City of Anoka Discriminated Against Tenants with Mental Health Disabilities, Minnesota Public Radio, December 8, 2023 (interviewed)

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/12/08/doj-alleges-city-of-anoka-discriminated-against-tenants-with-mental-health-disabilities

 

Albert Lea Landlords Attend New Renter’s Law Seminar, KAAL-TV, Albert Lea, MN, December 4, 2023 (interviewed)

https://www.kaaltv.com/news/top-news/albert-lea-landlords-attend-new-renters-law-seminar/

 

Katelyn Vue, Minneapolis City Leaders Urge Renters to Report Discrimination Against Section 8 Vouchers, Sahan Journal, November 2, 2023 (interviewed)

https://sahanjournal.com/housing/section-8-vouchers-minneapolis-renters-discrimination-ordinance/

 

Eva Andersen, Apartments Required to Disclose Hidden Fees Upfront, KARE-TV, September 19, 2023 (interviewed)

https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/kare11-sunrise/minnesota-renters-tenants-apartment-hunting-mn-homeline-housing-rental/89-042050e1-f0cb-4112-88ea-01c161259ccc

 

Katelyn Vue, Fresh Rights for Minnesota Renters: Here’s a Guide. Newly Passed Legislation Evens the Playing Field Between Landlords and Tenants, Housing Advocates Say, Sahan Journal, August 14, 2023 (interviewed)

https://sahanjournal.com/housing/new-minnesota-laws-on-renters-rights/

 

Peter Callaghan, Where You Can and Can’t Smoke Marijuana in Minnesota Come Aug. 1, MinnPost, July 11, 2023 (interviewed)

https://www.minnpost.com/state-government/2023/07/where-you-can-and-cant-smoke-marijuana-in-minnesota-come-aug-1/

 

Bryan Lake, 2023 MN Legislative Session Review, Bench & Bar Minnesota, July 5, 2023 (quoted)

https://www.mnbar.org/resources/publications/bench-bar/articles/2023/07/05/2023-mn-legislative-session-review

 

Peter Callaghan, Unpacking the Sweeping Tenant Rights Changes Made by the Minnesota Legislature, MinnPost, June 15, 2023 (quoted without credit in second paragraph)

https://www.minnpost.com/state-government/2023/06/unpacking-the-sweeping-tenant-rights-changes-made-by-the-minnesota-legislature/

 

Kirsten Swanson, Court Dismisses Discrimination Case Involving New Hope Group Homes, KSTP-TV, May 31, 2023 (interview)

https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/court-dismisses-discrimination-case-involving-new-hope-group-homes/

 

Jasmine Boykin, What Are Your Rights as a Renter? | Local Expert Weighs in on Tenants' Rights in Minnesota, KARE11-TV, January 11, 2023 (interview) https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/housing-expert-weighs-in-on-minnesota-renters-rights/89-1978cc17-b117-44c2-bda2-8fecd4a1c02a

2022

 

 

Worked with Kirsten Swanson of KSTP-TV on an investigation of the City of New Hope revoking rental licenses to group homes.

 

          Kirsten Swanson,‘Not everyone can live next door.’ New Hope defends decision to shut down group homes, displacing people with disabilities, KSTP TV, December 21, 2022 (interview) https://kstp.com/5-investigates/not-everyone-can-live-next-door-new-hope-defends-decision-to-shut-down-group-homes-displacing-people-with-disabilities/

 

          Kirsten Swanson, Lawmakers worry New Hope’s decision to shut down group homes is ‘slippery slope’, KSTP TV, December 22, 2022 (follow-up) https://kstp.com/5-investigates/lawmakers-worry-new-hopes-decision-to-shut-down-group-homes-is-slippery-slope/

 

Max Nesterak, A Landlord Let Squatters Take Over. Tenants Are Paying the Price, Minnesota Reformer, August 29, 2022 (interview)

https://minnesotareformer.com/2022/08/29/a-landlord-let-squatters-take-over-tenants-are-paying-the-price/

 

Angela Davis, How Evictions Can Have Lasting Impacts on Health, Housing and Poverty, Minnesota Public Radio, February 8, 2022 (comments at 18:00-21:54)

https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2022/02/02/how-evictions-can-have-lasting-impacts-on-health-housing-and-poverty

2021

 

 

Randy Furst, Rent Escrow Requirement Prevents Tenants from Challenging Poor Living Conditions, Lawyers Say, Star Tribune, November 26, 2021 (interview)

https://www.startribune.com/housing-court-judges-violate-due-process-tenants-complaints-about-substandard-conditions-lawyers-say/600121075/

 

Randy Furst, Minneapolis Landlord Fined $133,500 for 'Horrific' Conditions of 'Biblical Plague Proportions', Star Tribune, November 19, 2021 (interview)

https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-landlord-fined-133500-ordered-to-stop-brazen-and-deplorable-practices/600118708/

 

Randy Furst, With Thousands of Minnesota Tenants Behind on Rent, a New State Law Sets the Rules for Assistance, Star Tribune, July 12, 2021 (interview)

https://www.startribune.com/with-thousands-of-minnesota-tenants-behind-on-rent-a-new-state-law-sets-the-rules-for-assistance/600077150/

 

Marcus Aarsvold, An Increase in Post-pandemic Evictions Could Overwhelm Communities, WXOW TV, March 8, 2021 (interview)

https://wxow.com/2021/03/08/an-increase-in-post-pandemic-evictions-could-overwhelm-communities/

 

Tim Walker, Held over Bill Aims to Provide Lawyers to Public Housing Tenants Facing Evictions, Minnesota House of Representatives Session Daily, March 2, 2021 (comments)

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/15702

 

Brian Bakst, Minn. Lawmakers Wrestle with What Follows COVID-19 Eviction Rule, Minnesota Public Radio, February 11, 2021 (report on testimony to the Minnesota Legislature)

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2021/02/11/lawmakers-wrestle-with-what-follows-covid-eviction-rule

 

Crystal Bui and Charlie Wiese, Analysis Shows That Without Eviction Moratorium, Minnesota Would Be Looking at More than 10,000 Evictions, KSTP TV, January 29, 2021 (interview)

https://kstp.com/news/analysis-shows-that-without-eviction-moratorium-minnesota-would-be-looking-at-more-than-10000-evictions-january-29-2020/5995019/

2020

 

 

Worked with Kirsten Swanson and Joe Augustine of KSTP-TV in 2018-2020 to develop an investigation and series of reports of police harassment of tenants in St. Louis Park, leading to a community discussion with tenants, landlords, and advocates, and ultimately, repeal of ordinances. See 2018, infra.

 

          Kirsten Swanson and Joe Augustine, Landlords, Housing Advocates Reflect on Repeal of Controversial Housing Ordinance in St. Louis Park, KSTP-TV, August 18, 2020 - https://kstp.com/5-investigates/landlords-housing-advocates-reflect-on-repeal-of-controversial-housing-ordinance-in-st-louis-park/

 

          Max Nesterak, St. Louis Park Repeals “Crime-free/drug-free” Law Which Gave Police Power to Evict, Minnesota Reformer, August 18, 2020 - https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/st-louis-park-ends-policy-allowing-police-to-evict-tenants-crime-free-drug-free/?fbclid=IwAR0ogKGScXPdSDTXaLErnyzU7-X-udmAftKeBXaLZFRgtcMQddqKgxtk10Y

 

          Kirsten Swanson and Joe Augustine, Despite Growing Calls for Repeal, St. Louis Park Has No Plan to Address Controversial Housing Ordinance Exposed by 5 Investigates, KSTP-TV, February 20, 2020 - https://kstp.com/5-investigates/despite-growing-calls-for-repeal-st-louis-park-has-no-plan-to-address-controversial-housing-ordinance-exposed-by-5-investigates/

 

Jim Spencer, If Minnesota Emergency Order Lifts Friday, Flood of Evictions, Foreclosures Will Likely Follow - State's Protections Could End Friday, Fed Order Might Follow, Star Tribune, June 9, 2020 (discussed eviction seminar Larry presented)

https://www.startribune.com/if-minnesota-emergency-order-lifts-friday-flood-of-evictions-foreclosures-will-likely-follow/571104212/

 

Kirsten Swanson and Joe Augustine, As State Pleaded for People to Stay Home, Courts Kept Ordering Evictions in Minnesota, KSTP-TV, March 25, 2020 (provided background)

https://kstp.com/coronavirus/as-state-pleaded-for-people-to-stay-home-courts-kept-ordering-evictions-in-minnesota/5684508/?cat=1

 

Marissa Evans, Gov. Walz Announces Halt to Eviction Proceedings amid Coronavirus, Star Tribune, March 24, 2020 (provided background)

https://www.startribune.com/gov-walz-announces-halt-to-eviction-proceedings-amid-coronavirus/569034822/?refresh=true

 

FOX 21 KQDS, Duluth, MN and Superior, WI, coverage of the Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota Eviction Defense Seminar, February 24, 2020 (in video)

https://www.fox21online.com/2020/02/24/continuing-legal-education-on-eviction-defense/?fbclid=IwAR2TcnW9QoKRztUKlPEDSZ1YM2ZPnBzXgD0dLZeybxXv3cBp72QFDA37wRQ

2019

 

 

Tom Tinkham, Perry Wilson, Jon Bye, Jim Long, Dean Eyler and Larry McDonough, Housing: Aid Helps Make Evictions More Fair, Star Tribune, July 18, 2019 (co-authored letter to the editor)

http://www.startribune.com/readers-write-capitalism-the-squad-housing/512913712/




 

Matthew Schneeman, Fake Children, Real Rent: The Story of MN's Largest Tenant Class Action, KFAI Radio, Originally broadcast June 28, 2019, 1:00 p.m.

https://soundcloud.com/user-32819128/fake-children-real-rent-the-story-of-mns-largest-tenant-class-action

Interviewed at 16:25-18:00, 33:45-34:15, and 44:00-46:45, but the whole show is worth hearing.

 

Randy Furst, State Supreme Court Decision Expands Rights for Tenants Facing Retaliation, Lawyers Say, Star Tribune, June 12, 2019 (interviewed)

http://www.startribune.com/state-supreme-court-decision-expands-rights-for-tenants-facing-retaliation-lawyers-say/511211132/

 

Randy Furst, Minnesota Lawyers' Dedication to Pro Bono Work Has Made the State a National Leader, Star Tribune, May 31, 2019 (mentioned)

http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-lawyers-dedication-to-pro-bono-work-has-made-the-state-a-national-leader/510666392/

 

Randy Furst, Tenants in Buildings Owned by Minneapolis Landlord Band Together to Stop Water Cutoff - Residents in Buildings Owned by Embattled Landlord Raised $7,400, Star Tribune, March 27, 2019 (comments)

http://www.startribune.com/tenants-in-five-buildings-owned-by-landlord-frenz-plan-to-pay-their-own-water-bill-to-prevent-cutoff/507747482/

2018

 

 

Worked with Kirsten Swanson and Joe Augustine of KSTP-TV to develop an investigation and series of reports of police harassment of tenants in St. Louis Park

 

          November 20, 2018 10:26 PM

https://kstp.com/news/evicted-before-convicted-st-louis-park-police-order-landlords-to-force-people-from-their-homes/5149900/

 

          November 21, 2018 10:22 PM

https://kstp.com/news/housing-attorney-says-5-eyewitness-news-investigation-exposes-troubling-evictions/5152765/

 

          December 10, 2018 09:48 PM

https://kstp.com/news/city-leaders-to-review-controversial-ordinance-that-allows-police-to-order-evictions/5174034/

 

          December 10, 2018 10:40 PM

https://kstp.com/news/5-eyewitness-news-investigation-has-st-louis-park-considering-moratorium-on-crime-free-drug-free-ordinance/5174597/

 

          December 14, 2018 06:16 PM

https://kstp.com/news/vulnerable-adult-forced-from-group-home-under-controversial-city-ordinance-5-eyewitness-news-investigates-evicted-before-convicted/5180161/

 

          December 17, 2018 07:06 AM

https://kstp.com/news/st-louis-park-council-to-vote-on-suspension-crime-free-drug-free-ordinance/5181623/

 

          December 18, 2018 12:00 AM

https://kstp.com/news/st-louis-park-suspends-enforcement-of-controversial-crime-free-drug-free-ordinance/5182532/

 

          February 21, 2019 06:08 PM

https://kstp.com/news/st-louis-park-task-force-study-crime-free-drug-free-ordinance/5254331/


Randy Furst, Minneapolis Buys Nine Properties to House Displaced Tenants, Star Tribune, September 24, 2018 (comments)

http://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-buys-nine-of-landlord-s-properties-saving-tenants-from-eviction/494085891/

 

Patrick Rehkamp, Larry McDonough: Pro Bono Attorney by Day, Piano Player by Night, Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal, April 5, 2018 (interview)

https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2018/04/05/larry-mcdonough-pro-bono-attorney-by-day-piano.html?ana=e_du_prem&s=article_du&ed=2018-04-05&u=82l7NLJpxy51l95mF3qGww01099c34&t=1523022891&j=80877101

 

Michelle Bruch, Mediators Tackle Fast-paced Evictions, Southwest Journal, April 3, 2018 (interview)

http://www.southwestjournal.com/news/2018/04/mediators-tackle-fast-paced-evictions/

 

Randy Furst, A Corporate Lawyer in Minneapolis Fights for Low-income Tenants -

Michael Cockson Goes after Problem Landlords, Minneapolis Star Tribune, February 1, 2018(comments)

http://www.startribune.com/a-corporate-lawyer-in-minneapolis-fights-for-low-income-tenants/472262203/

2017

 

 

Randy Furst, In Unprecedented Move, Minneapolis Seeks an Administrator for 23 Apartment Buildings Housing 1,200 Tenants, Minneapolis Star Tribune, December 22, 2017 (comments)

http://www.startribune.com/in-unprecedented-move-minneapolis-seeks-an-administrator-for-23-apartment-buildings-housing-1-200-tenants/466008403/?src=Apple+News

 

Randy Furst, Court Appoints Administrator for 43 Buildings Owned by Minneapolis Landlord, Minneapolis Star Tribune, December 18, 2017 (comments)

http://www.startribune.com/court-appoints-administrator-for-43-buildings-owned-by-minneapolis-landlord/465032223/

 

Jean Hopfensperger, Obituary: Charlie Warner was 'heart and soul' of Minnesota's affordable housing efforts, Minneapolis Star Tribune, November 26, 2017 (comments)

http://www.startribune.com/obituary-charlie-warner-was-heart-and-soul-of-minnesota-s-affordable-housing-efforts/459978093/

 

Randy Furst, Minneapolis Denies Rental Licenses for 16 Apartment Buildings, Minneapolis Star Tribune, November 8, 2017 (comments)

http://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-is-refusing-to-grant-rental-licenses-for-16-apartment-buildings-sold-by-steve-frenz/456210543/

 

Max Nesterak, Judge certifies class-action lawsuit against one of Minneapolis' biggest landlords, Minnesota Public Radio, August 21, 2017 (comments)

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/08/20/judge-certifies-classaction-lawsuit-against-one-of-minneapolis-biggest-landlords-

 

Randy Furst, Administrator Appointed to Oversee Some of Embattled Minneapolis Landlord's Properties, Minneapolis Star Tribune, July 27, 2017 (comments)

http://www.startribune.com/administrator-appointed-to-oversee-some-of-embattled-minneapolis-landlord-s-properties/437056213/

 

Walter F. Mondale with Linda A. Klein, Don't Turn Our Backs on Justice for All: the White House Wants to Defund Legal Aid Services That Help Millions of Americans. That Would Be Costly — and Wrong, Minneapolis Star Tribune, July 7, 2017 (edited)

https://www.startribune.com/don-t-turn-our-backs-on-justice-for-all/433200863/

 

Randy Furst, Controversial Minneapolis Landlord Ordered to Jail for Contempt of Court, Minneapolis Star Tribune, March 17, 2017 (comments)

http://www.startribune.com/controversial-mpls-landlord-ordered-to-jail-for-contempt-of-court/416469413/

 

Randy Furst, Minneapolis Landlord Hit with Largest Fine in Housing Court History, Minneapolis Star Tribune, February 3, 2017 (comments)

http://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-landlord-hit-with-largest-fine-in-housing-court-history/412696073/

2016

 

 

Tracy Mumford, Judge's Ruling a Blow to Residents Hoping to Buy, Save Their Mobile Home Park, Minnesota Public Radio, September 23, 2016 (interview)

http://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/09/23/lowry-grove-first-ruling

 

Nick Hanson, 24-Hour Lawyer: Larry McDonough, Hennepin Lawyer, January/February 2016 (interview)

https://cloud.3dissue.com/75702/119928/140516/THL2016-Jan-Feb/index.html

2014

Alejandra Matos, 'Creative' Homeless Solution Runs up Against Minneapolis City Code, Star Tribune, August 1, 2014 (interview)

http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/269478781.html?page=all&prepage=1&c=y#continue

2012

Andrea Canter, Jazz Face: Larry McDonough Pleads the Case for 7/4, Jazz Ink http://jazzink.blogspot.com/2012/04/jazz-face-larry-mcdonough-pleads-case.html

2011

Alexis Pope, In Tenants’ Defense: Laws in Minnesota and Missouri Offer Greater Tenant Protection, Chicago Reporter, September/October 2011

http://www.readperiodicals.com/201109/2467433631.html (interview)

2010

Baird Helgeson, Galen Robinson vs. The Governor, Star Tribune, Mar. 14, 2010 http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/87627277.html?page=1&c=y (brief interview)

2009

Frederick Melo, Dakota County Housing Crackdown Sweeps Up The Guilty And The Innocent - Agency Under Fire For Its Aggressive Pursuit Of Rule-Breakers, St. Paul Pioneer Press, May 30, 2009, at A1. (interview)

2008

You Don’t Have to Own a Home to be Hurt by Foreclosure, Toward Justice (Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance Fall 2008), http://www.mylegalaid.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/tj-fall-2008.pdf (interview)

2007

Housing Court, Meet Your Court, Episode No. 147, Metro Cable Network September 2007 (moderated panel discussion)

2006

Becky Levine, Hugh Calkins & Allison McDermott, 10 Years on the Web in Legal Services, MIE Journal (Summer 2006), http://lsntap.org/node/1428 (profile)

 

Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance Annual Report (2006) (profile)

2005

Britt Robson, Twisted Familiar: The Odd Times of Larry McDonough, City Pages, Nov. 23, 2005 (profile)

 

Martha Delaney & Scott Russell, Working with Pro Bono Clients, 62 Bench and Bar of Minnesota (Aug. 2005), http://www2.mnbar.org/benchandbar/2005/aug05/law_at_lrg.htm (interview)

2002

Arnold Stead, Hamline-Midway "Music Man" a Renaissance Kind of Guy, Midway Como Monitor, Feb. 2002 (profile)

2001

Amy Lindgren, Lawrence R. McDonough '83, Called Minnesota's Housing Law Leader, 100 Who Made Difference (William Mitchell College of Law 2001) (profile)

 

Eric Johnson, A Professor of Note, The Minnesota Daily, Jan. 2001 (profile)

2000

NewsNight Minnesota, Twin Cities Public Television, Feb. 3 and Oct. 4, 2000 (interview)

 

Hearsay, Law & Politics, at 45 (June/July 2000) (mentioned)

 

Amy Gage, Dads Are Breaking Barriers, St. Paul Pioneer Press, Mar. 12, 2000 (profile)

 

Tom Surowicz, Listen Up, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Feb. 27, 2000 (review)

 

Doug Grow, Legal Aid Lawyer Moonlights with His Own CD, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Jan. 17, 2000, at 3B (profile)

1999

Doug Grow, Housing Agency Wins, and Woman Loses Home; Despite Pleas for Mercy, Tenant Whose Son Was Involved in Shooting Faces Eviction, Minneapolis Star Tribune, June 16, 1999, at 3B (interview)

 

Doug Grow, Court Leaves No Room to Temper Lease Terms; Housing Authority Says Eviction Wasn't Personal, but Try Telling That to Mai Lor, Minneapolis Star Tribune, April 12, 1999, at 3B (interview)

1998

Amy Gage, On Balance: A New Way to Manage Work and Life, Center for Ethical Business Cultures (March 6, 1998), (profile)

1996

Annie Discher, What Is Good Neighborhood Business, Southwest Journal, Aug. 14-27, 1996, at 1 (interview)

1994

Peter Leyden, Study Spurs Changes in Hennepin Housing Court to Help Tenants, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Jan. 2, 1994, at 1B(interview)

1992

Doug Grow, City Hall Feeling less than Liberal about Legal Aid Suits, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Dec. 18, 1992, at 3B (interview)

 

Steve Perry, The New Drug War, City Pages, Dec. 9, 1992, at 4 (interview)

 

Doug Grow, Boarding up a Building Solves - and Creates - Problems, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Dec. 4, 1992, at 3B (interview)

 

Kevin Duchscher, Minorities, Poor to Be Hurt by Wide 35w, Panel Told, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Aug. 6, 1992, at 1B

 

Doug Grow, Late-rent Policy Puts 67-year-old on Street, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Jan. 5, 1992, at 1A (interview)

1991

Bob Eleff, Arcola Renters Are Due Refunds, The Surveyor, April 1991, at 1 (interview)

1990

Rob Hotakainen, Housing Called Casualty of Drug War, Minneapolis Star Tribune, April 19, 1990, at 1B (interview)

 

Doug Grow, The Little People Decide Push Has Come to Shove, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Mar. 15, 1990, at 1B (interview)