The Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) recently recognized attorneys Leah Koch and Jared Shepherd as North Star Lawyers. MSBA gives this designation to lawyers who provide 50 hours of pro bono legal services annually to low-income people at no fee. Koch and Shepherd are volunteers with Just Deeds and the Advocates for Human Rights. Advocates for Human Rights assists persons seeking asylum due to persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. 

Shepherd has received the North Star Lawyer distinction every year since 2016.