Kelly Dawn Martinez

Kelly is a graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) and William Mitchell College of Law (Juris Doctor). Before earning her law degree, Kelly had a successful career as a Registered Nurse. She worked in several Level I Trauma Centers and specialized in Emergency and Critical Care nursing, maintaining numerous certifications, including TNS, BTLS, TNCC, ECRN, ACLS, and PALS.

In law school Kelly managed a family, a full course load, a 200 mile commute, and still dedicated herself to helping others. As a volunteer with the Streetlaw Program at Edison High School, she helped urban youth understand and trust the judicial system. She also participated in “Exploring Justice,” a restorative justice program that works with young men sentenced to life in prison at MCF-Stillwater. As the Vice President for Law Students for Legal Disaster Relief, Kelly traveled to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and worked with Safe Streets Strong Communities to help restore the Crescent City’s legal system.

Kelly’s extensive experience in the ER has given her a huge advantage in the courtroom. While working with the Freeborn County Attorney’s Office, Kelly was instrumental to the investigation and successful prosecution of the nursing home abuse case in Albert Lea, as well as a wide range of other high-level criminal cases, including first degree murder, criminal sexual conduct, assault, and drug/alcohol-related traffic offense matters.

Since 2009, Kelly has been using her trauma knowledge and legal training to help people accused of a wide variety of crimes. As both an Assistant Public Defender (3rd District) and as a private attorney, Kelly has handled a wide variety of cases, including murder, criminal sexual conduct, assaults, theft, DUI/DWI, and many others. Because of her unique skillset, she has also consulted with dozens of attorneys throughout Minnesota; when it comes to complicated civil and criminal injury cases, Kelly is the lawyer that other lawyers turn-to for advice. Kelly looks forward to speaking with you about your case, and will gladly answer any questions you may have.