Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a settlement securing refunds for dozens of clients, primarily Somali and Ethiopian, who retained immigration legal services from Daniel Patrick Brown and DPB Legal, PLLC. Between 2021 and 2023, DPB Legal accepted 100 clients seeking asylum in the U.S. but provided incorrect information regarding their eligibility for work authorization permits.
Under immigration law, asylum applicants can apply for work authorization 150 days after filing their petition. However, DPB Legal informed clients that this period would start upon filing only a partial application. When clients discovered the misinformation, many terminated services without receiving refunds and had to restart their asylum process with new lawyers.
A Ramsey County state court order now requires DPB Legal to cease making misstatements to asylum clients and mandates approximately $100,000 in refunds for former and current clients.
“I am pleased that DPB Legal has now agreed to refund clients who were misinformed about the asylum process,” said Attorney General Ellison. “Everyone makes mistakes, but it’s what we do in those moments of recognizing our errors that matters the most. We appreciate Mr. Brown's cooperation.”
Consumers considering hiring an attorney can refer to the Attorney General’s "Hiring an Attorney" publication. Those wishing to report concerns about their attorneys may contact the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility or submit complaints online through the Attorney General’s Office.
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