Catherine Leigh Turner

Catherine Leigh Turner

4.8
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 20 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Minneapolis, MN
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Violent Crime, Sex Crime ... +2 more

331 Second Avenue South, Suite 705, Minneapolis, MN

About Catherine

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 20%

Minnesota Felonies US District Court of Minnesota

20 years

20%
Federal Crime 20%

17 years

20%
Sex Crime 20%

20 years

20%
Violent Crime 20%

20 years

20%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Minnesota for 20 years

State: Minnesota

Acquired: 2005

Authorized to Practice

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of Catherine Leigh Turner

331 Second Avenue South, Suite 705, Minneapolis, MN, 55401

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Catherine Leigh Turner's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

17 Client Reviews

5 star (16)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (1)

Posted by Tony | December 15, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Negligent & Dismissive

Hired her for 6 months, She refused to take any of my phone calls. Absolutely no help to me whatsoever. She ignored every phone call I made except for 1 phone call where she spoke to me for 3 minutes and basically told me to do all the work for her and then send it to her and after doing so I never h...eard from her again for another four months when I finally made another call back to her and her secretary informed me that she'd no longer represented me basically because she just doesn't like me. I was in a time of great need, I was in fear, I was desperate, I depended on her. She made absolutely no effort to do anything for me and after being paid for 6 months, wasting my time and effort and money, she just dismissed me. She had no compassion, no sympathy, no communication, was rude, unhelpful & disrespectful. She was no help whatsoever, she is the worst, most negligent attorney in the state of Minnesota that I can think of, don't waste your time, save your money and sanity and find someone else who actually cares and wants to do something for someone.

Posted by anonymous | May 18, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

#Best Lawyer ever

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Catherine for many years in the court system. In my opinion she has always been very passionate when representing her clients, and always did an awesome job. I never thought I would have to retain a lawyer for anything. Then my son was charged with some very seri...ous charges and we hired Catherine to represent him. Catherine was highly recommended and I must say she is a miracle worker! My son was potentially facing a 360 month prison sentence if convicted. His case went to Jury trial. His most serious felony Criminal Sexual Conduct charge was dismissed. He was acquitted on a felony domestic charge, and received only a misdemeanor conviction. With Catherine’s representation his life was saved! We are so blessed to have our son back. I cannot thank her enough. Catherine is amazing and passionate and if you need a lawyer she is your best option!

Posted by anonymous | May 4, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Fantastic Lawyer and a Truly Great Person!!!

During what would easily be described as the most difficult season of my life, I found Catherine Turner. From our first meeting and through the course of many months, Catherine’s confidence and reassuring council gave me hope that my crime wouldn’t end my life as I knew it. Worst case scenario, I ...was facing a hefty fine and the very scary possibility of career ending jail time. Catherine negotiated a small fine, no jail time and best of all a stay of adjudication meaning after one year, the case will be dismissed and will not exist on my record. I sincerely believe God sends just the right people into our lives when we are needing them most. For me that was an angel by the name of Catherine Turner. I’m eternally grateful for her.

Posted by LaMarcus | April 13, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

The best

Great Lawyer I was blessed to have on my Federal Conspiracy case. Did a awesome job and got me the minimum. She is very passionate about her work, I live in Chicago and she came all the way here to discuss my case. Very honest and had my best interest the whole time. Highly recommend!!

Posted by Greg | May 5, 2022 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Excellent experience

A loved one got caught up in some big legal trouble. I am so grateful to have found Catherine Turner. It was a scary time and I had so many questions. After my first call with Catherine, I felt so much relief. Catherine's knowledge, compassion and clarity in her responses were beyond any expectation ...I had.

See All Client Reviews

Catherine Leigh Turner's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Catherine
Zachary Lee Newland headshot
Zachary Newland

Federal crime lawyer | Feb 22

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I cannot recommend Catherine Turner enough to anyone facing serious charges in federal court. I worked with Ms. Turner on an extremely high-profile and high-stakes matter in federal court. Before working with Ms. Turner we had never met. Ms. Turner brought unparalleled diligence and tenacity to the case from day one. Ms. Turner is the type of lawyer that I would hire for myself or my family. Ms. Turner will fight for you and bring her unique outside the box approach to your case. I can honestly say that Ms. Turner is the type of lawyer that other lawyers call when they are in a bind. Do the right thing and give her a call today."

Evan R. Berman headshot
Evan Berman

Unknown lawyer | Jul 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Ramon Alvarado headshot
Ramon Alvarado

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I've had the pleasure of attending a couple of national training seminars with Catherine. She is talented and dedicated to her work; a fantastic combination. I highly endorse Catherine as a criminal defense attorney!"

Rachel Philips headshot
Rachel Philips

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 08

Relationship: Friend

"Catherine Turner has an exceptional work ethic, which I witnessed first hand as classmates in law school at Lewis & Clark. That work ethic and dedication has grown stronger over the years as she consistently gets great results for her clients. Catherine is a compassionate, determined, and zealous advocate for her clients."

Ryan Garry headshot
Ryan Garry

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Catherine is an excellent lawyer dedicated to the difficult task of representing clients in all stages of criminal law proceedings. I have personally tried extremely serious and lengthly jury trials with her and can speak from personal experience that she is among the top criminal defense lawyers in the Twin Cities. I highly endorse Catherine and would not hesitate to send her referral cases or work on joint criminal trials together. Bottom line ... she is excellent."

Daniel Charles Guerrero headshot
Daniel Guerrero

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer because she is a fantastic trial lawyer, who obtains great results for her clients who, in turn, are very pleased they got her."

View All Endorsements
Rachel Philips headshot
Rachel Philips

Criminal defense lawyer

Livia Ellen Riley Goetz headshot
Livia Goetz

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2020

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2019

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2018

Rising Star, SuperLawyers

2018

Rising Star, SuperLawyers

2013

Certified Criminal Law Specialist, Minnesota State Bar Association

Work Experience

2013 - Present

Contract/Conflict Attorney, Federal Public Defender of Minnesota

2008 - Present

Criminal Defense Goddess, Catherine Turner, Attorney at Law, PLLC

2006 - Present

Assistant Public Defender, Dakota County Office Of The Public Defender

2003 - 2005

Law Clerk, Federal Public Defender of Oregon

Associations

2015 - Present

Federal Bar Association (Minnesota chapter)

Member

2011 - Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

2008 - Present

Minnesota State Bar Association, Criminal Law Section

Member

2010 - 2016

Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Board Member

Education

2005

Lewis & Clark Law School

JD - Juris Doctor

2002

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2020

NACDL Midwinter Conference

Challenging GeoFence Warrants Post-Carpenter

2018

MN Public Defender's Quarterly Conference

Fighting Eyewitness and Cross-Racial Identification

2015

Ramsey County Bar Association, Criminal Law Section

The State of The Fourth Amendment in the Age of Edward Snowden

2015

Minnesota Rehabilitation Association Spring Conference

Help! My Client Has A Conviction!

2014

Ramsey County Bar Association, Criminal Law Section

A Wholistic Approach to Representing Clients with Mental Health Issues

2014

MACDL Fall CLE

A Wholistic Approach to Representing Clients with Mental Health Issues

Publications

Languages

English

Avvo Rating

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  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
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Avvo Rating Levels
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