Valerie Ann Downing Arnold

PRO

Valerie Ann Downing Arnold

also known as Valerie Arnold

4.9
27 reviews
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 28 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Minneapolis, MN
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Child Custody, Family ... +2 more

1422 W Lake Street Street, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN

Virtual Consultation Available

About Valerie

Biography

Child-focused advocacy and solutions. Call Now! 612-293-6209

Experienced and strategic family law advocacy and counsel. Call Now! 612-293-6209

Experienced and strategic family law advocacy and counsel. Call Now! 612-293-6209

Experienced and strategic family law advocacy and counsel. Call Now! 612-293-6209

Providing highly skilled appellate legal services in all areas of family law. Call Now! 612-293-6209

Experienced and strategic family law advocacy and counsel. Call Now! 612-293-6209

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Divorce and Separation 35%

35%
Child Custody 25%

25%
Appeals 15%

27 years

15%
Family 15%

* Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce) * Adoptions * Custody (Including Interstate & International) * Parental Abduction (Kidnapping) * Paternity * Parenting Time (Visitation) * Child Support * Spousal Maintenance (Alimony)

27 years

15%
Alimony 10%

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Licenses

Licensed in Minnesota for 28 years

State: Minnesota

Acquired: 1997

Authorized to Practice

No misconduct found

Location

Arnold & Cain, PA

1422 W Lake Street Street, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN, 55408

minneapolisdivorceattorneys.us/

Valerie Ann Downing Arnold's Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (26) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 10 reviews | General Knowledge

Posted by ABL | May 03, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

World Class Lawyer

If you have a highly contested divorce case and a challenging uncoperating lawyer on the other side, you need Valerie Arnold on your side. I went through two lawyers before I discovered Velerie. She quickly assessed the situation and put the case back on the right track. I felt much more comfortable... with the process after that. I was well informed thanks to Valerie's exceptional staff. Tasks were always completed and reviewed ahead of schedule. Valerie listens to all the facts, makes great recommendations and she then helps you set achievable goals. She was reachable after hours and always gives excellent and objective feedback. If your case calls for a world class divorce and custody lawyer, I would definitely recommend Valerie Arnold.

Posted by MG | April 20, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

A very long and tough case...

Prior to hiring Valerie Arnold at Arnold, Rodman & Kretchmer, P.A. I interviewed 3 attorneys. I knew my case would be difficult and I was determined to find not only a great attorney who knew the law and the process but also someone who would care about me, and more importantly, my children. Furthe...rmore, I was looking for someone who would have experience with children and families on the Autism Spectrum. After meeting Mrs. Arnold for the first consultation, I realized she was the one I could trust with my divorce and custody battle. Her professionalism and very open and hones demeanor were evident -all in a very personable way. She did not speak in purely legal terms, but explained everything to me in layman's terms. Before I left the first consultation she made sure I had all my questions answered in a way I understood. What was striking in that first visit is that I truly felt that she was listening to me. She wasn't just thinking of me as just another client or case, she was interested in learning about our situation and understanding what the issues were. She was factual, very knowledgeable in all the areas my case required, very resourceful and prompt. She had a very good understanding and experience of kids on the Spectrum, their families, and the unique dynamics that the families on the Spectrum deal with. Mrs. Arnold made me feel so comfortable in our meetings that I left feeling I was talking to someone I had known for years. I felt comfortable and understood. To say that my case got complicated as it progressed is an understatement. It turned out to be a very ugly and tough divorce, and it lasted over 2 years. Throughout that time, Mrs. Arnold and all her staff showed complete dedication, professionalism, knowledge, promptness, efficiency, and compassion. There is no question in my mind Mrs Arnold went the extra mile in many occasions. In moments of difficulty, Mrs. Arnold remained focused and devoted to the case as if it had just started. She returned phone calls and emails in a very timely way. Even when my timing wasn't ideal for her, she always returned my calls/emails promptly. Her ability to communicate to her colleagues and clients is admirable to say the least. She is assertive and articulated and get her point across clearly, directly, and respectfully -a quality that not all attorneys share. No amount of money could ever compensate her diligence and effort. I've learned to this process that to be a great family attorney, one needs to be a good human being first. Mrs Arnold certainly meets and exceeds this criteria. I appreciate to no end her commitment to my children and to our family . She is a very knowledgeable, tough attorney, with great ethical and noble values. These years have been the toughest I have lived through so far, and I know I could not have done it without her professional support and true commitment. It was the constant many ways she sowed she cares that made a difference during hard times. Although I wish we had met in a different situation, I can honestly say it has been an honor to have known her.

Posted by Dave | May 15, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Class Act

I had the pleasure of having Val as my divorce attorney over the past few years. She always handled my case with class, professionalism and empathy. She was extremely knowledgeable about the law and offered suggestions and solutions. While my spouse's lawyer's actions frequently caused a toxic enviro...nment, Val always kept things professional. As much as the divorce process is a painful one. I will actually miss working with her. I would highly recommend her.

Posted by Jodi | July 08, 2014 | Lawsuits & Disputes

The Best of the Best Attorney!

I literally went through 3 attorneys before doing research and after meeting once with Valerie, she understood my case better then my last attorney who had my case for over two years. Valerie is exceptional at her job! I am writing this review not even knowing the outcome of my very highly complex ca...se and I know with all my heart that Valerie and her assistant Kendal put everything they had into my case and I am confident they helped represent me to their fullest ability. Valerie is very organized and detail orientated. She has the knowledge of law that is impressive! I have recommended her to anyone who asks me for a great lawyer! Please do not hesitate to contact her..you will not regret it!

Posted by Kay | August 14, 2013 | Family

AN OUTSTANDING LAWYER AND AN OUTSTANDING HUMAN BEING

I can not say enough about the integrity, ethics, and expert representation provided by Val Arnold and the members of the Arnold Rodman firm. I came to her begging for help after my original attorney abandoned me at trial to conceal her malpractice and refused to preserve my case for appeal. Having... been betrayed by the person whose job it was to protect my interests - I was broke, terrified, and emotionally distraught. Ms. Arnold has a special way of getting you past the emotion and forcing you to deal with facts so that she can fully understand your case and the actions necessary to protect your rights under the law. She is professional yet compassionate. She is honest and fair. She truly cares about her clients and represents them aggressively. She is a parent and cares about the impact of the case on you, your children and your finances. She is NOT the kind of attorney who cares about nothing but billable hours. She is smart and quick to come up to speed even on the most complex of cases. I remember going to court the first time with Val and being so nervous due to the terrible representation I had received from my original attorney who failed to prepare and was horribly unequipped to present my case. Each time opposing counsel made a false statement- I could not resist the urge to attempt to whisper the facts to Ms. Arnold. She turned to me, looked me in the eyes and said "I've got this!" And she did. After three years of nightmare representation by another firm - I could finally trust my attorney. I have the greatest respect for this firm and for Ms. Arnold personally. I never hesitate to recommend them to anyone in need of family law services. I will always be grateful for the quality representation I received and for the personal support received from such a quality human being.

See All Client Reviews

Valerie Ann Downing Arnold's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Valerie
Ashley Christine Cooper headshot
Ashley Cooper

Family lawyer | Apr 02

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Excellent advocate."

Jeffrey Robert Arrigoni headshot
Jeffrey Arrigoni

Divorce and separation lawyer | May 19

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. She is sensitive to her clients needs and very experienced and hard working to serve her clients in family law and divorce."

Jill I. Frieders headshot
Jill Frieders

Family lawyer | May 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Allison Lynn Madison Marshall headshot
Allison Marshall

Child custody lawyer | Mar 21

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I worked with Ms. Arnold on a very difficult case. We were able to settle the matter just prior to what would have been an expensive and emotionally challenging trial. Ms. Arnold was thorough and prepared. She advocated for her client effectively while maintaining the highest level of professionalism."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Family lawyer | Oct 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Caroline Elizabeth Ostrom headshot
Caroline Ostrom

Family lawyer | Oct 04

Relationship: Co-worker

"Ms. Arnold and I worked together at Tuft & Arnold, and I continue to refer international divorce and custory cases to her. She is highly knowledgeable about the law, a true advocate for her client, and respectful and empathetic in often difficult circumstances."

View All Endorsements
Michael Gabriel Cain headshot
Michael Cain

Family lawyer

Caroline Elizabeth Ostrom headshot
Caroline Ostrom

Immigration lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2024

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2023

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2022

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2021

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2020

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2019

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2018

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2018

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2018

Client's Choice, Avvo

2017

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2016

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2015

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2014

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2008

"Rising Star" Attorney, Minnesota Law & Politics Magazine

2008

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2006

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2006

"Rising Star" Attorney, Minnesota Law & Politics Magazine

2004

"Rising Star" Attorney, Minnesota Law and Leading Attorneys

2004

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2003

"Rising Star" Attorney, Minnesota Law & Politics Magazine

2003

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

Work Experience

2010 - Present

Partner, Arnold & Cain, PA

2005 - 2010

Partner, Tuft & Arnold, PLLC

2001 - 2011

Adjunct Professor, University Of Minnesota

2001 - 2001

Curriculum Developer, University Of Minneosta

1999 - 2004

Associate, Thomas Tuft Law Offices

1998 - 1999

Judicial Law Clerk, Honorable Gerald J. Wolf, Chief Judge, Third Judicial District

1998 - 1998

Lecturer, University Of Minnesota

1997 - 1997

Student Attorney, University Of Minnesota Law School Housing Clinic

1996 - 1996

Judicial Extern, Honorable Gary Larson, District Court Judge, Fourth Judicial District

1996 - 1996

Law Clerk, Goldstein Law Office

1996 - 1996

Legal Intern, Cabinet Jacques Bret

1995 - 1995

Legal Intern, Moroccan Human Rights Organization

1995 - 1995

Teaching Assistant, University Of Minnesota Law School

1995 - 1995

Teaching Assistant, University Of Minnesota Law School

1995 - 1995

Research Assistant, University Of Minnesota Law School

Associations

2010 - Present

American Bar Association

Member

2008 - Present

International Academy of Family Lawyers

Fellow

1997 - Present

Minnesota Women Lawyers

1997 - Present

Ramsey County Bar Association

Minnesota State Bar Association

2009 - 2013

Association of Family and Conciliation Courts - MN Chapter

Board Member

2002 - 2006

Ramsey County Bar Association, CLE Oversight Committee

Co-chair

2000 - 2014

Warren E. Burger Inn of Court

Education

1997

University of Minnesota Law School

JD - Juris Doctor

1992

University of Minnesota

MA - Masters

1990

Universite de Savoie, France

Maitrise de Lettres Modernes: certificat en linguistique

1988

University of Minnesota

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2018

Family Law Institute

Interstate and International Parental Child Abduction

2017

Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) 54th Annual Conference

Parenting Plans in International Cases

2016

Ramsey County Bar Association, Family Law Section CLE

International Divorce and Child Custody

2016

Family Law Series

Interstate and International Custody

2016

Family Law Institute, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education

Interstate and International Issues

2015

Minnesota Continuing Legal Education

The Complete Family Lawyer: Interstate and International Issues

2015

Interstate Custody and Visitation Issues

Interstate Custody and Visitation Issues: UCCJEA and PKPA

2015

Family Law Section CLE

Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act

2015

American Bar Association, International Law and Practice Section

International Family Mediator Training: Agreement Drafting and Enforcement

2015

American Bar Association, International Law and Practice Section

International Family Mediator Training: Language Barriers

2015

Advanced Issues in Divorce

Advanced Issues In Divorce: Trouble Shooting Marriage Dissolution Issues

2014

Minnesota Continuing Legal Education

Advanced Family Law 2014: Hot Topics in Interstate and International Family Law: Relocation, Abduction, and the Enforcement of Support Orders and Property Division

2014

Family Law Institute

Five Unresolved Issues for Same Sex Families

2014

A Paralegals Guide To Divorce

Discovery Guidelines

2014

A Paralegals Guide To Divorce

Initial Interviews and Pleadings

2013

Tubman

The Intersections of Family Law and Immigration Law

2013

National Webcast

Child Custody Procedures: Form By Form; Discovery, Pre-Trial & Trial

2013

Family Law Series

Motions, Appeals, and Interstate and International Issues

2013

Family Law Institute

Family Law 50: Interstate and International

2012

National Webcast

Complex Child Custody and Support Issues in Divorce: UCCJEA and UIFSA

2012

National Webcast

Legal Guide to Interstate Divorce Proceedings

2012

National Teleconference

Complex Child Custody and Support Issues In Divorce

2012

Hague Symposium

Role of the Lawyer: Representing the Left-Behind Parent

2012

Family Law Series

Interstate and International Jurisdiction and Custody Issues

2012

Family Law 50

Interstate and International

2011

National Webcast

Child Custody Jurisdiction under the UCCJEA: Navigating the Complexities

2011

National Teleconference

Child Custody and Support in Interstate Divorce: UCCJEA and UIFSA

2011

National Teleconference

Evidence Tactics in Divorce: Witness Testimony

2011

Minnesota CLE

Interstate and International Jurisdiction and Custody Issues

2010

Tubman Family Alliance - LSC Training

Interstate Child Custody and the UCCJEA

2010

National Teleconference

Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction

2010

IAML AGM Conference Queenstown, New Zealand

Defenses to Hague Convention Cases in the United States: Current Trends

2010

Anoka County Bar Association CLE

The UCCJEA: Navigating Family Law Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Issues

2009

International Leadership Visitor Program

International Parental Child Abduction

2009

Family Law Institute

Interstate and International Parental Child Abduction

2009

Dakota County Law Library CLE

International Divorce and Child Custody

2008

Minnesota State Bar Association

Interstate and International Relocation

2007

Washington County Bar Association, CLE

Third Party Custody

2006

Minnesota CLE

Interstate and International Jurisdiction and Custody Issues

2005

University of Minnesota Department of Translating and Interpreting

American Law for Interpreters

2005

Ramsey County Bar Association Continuing Legal Education

Third-Party Custody and Visitation

2002

Lorman Education Services

Custody Issues: An Overview of Child Custody Law in Minnesota

2000

Ramsey County Bar Association Continuing Legal Education

Taming the Beast: The Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act

2000

Ramsey County Bar Association Continuing Legal Education

Interstate Enforcement of Child Support and Child Custody Orders

2000

Lorman Education Services

Children's Records Law in Minnesota: Medical and Mental Health Records

1998

University of Minnesota Institute of International Studies

Topics in European Studies: An Introduction to Human Rights

Publications

2015

Minnesota CLE Chapter 11: The Complete Family Lawyer: Interstate and International Issues

2014

Minnesota CLE Advanced Family Law 2014: Hot Topics in Interstate and International Family Law: Relocation, Abduction, and the Enforcement of Support Orders and Property Division

2013

National Business Institute Seminar Child Custody Procedures: Form By Form; Discovery, Pre-Trial & Trial

2012

National Business Institute Seminar Legal Guide to Interstate Divorce Proceedings

2012

Minnesota CLE Family Law 50: Interstate and International

2012

National Business Institute Seminar Complex Child Custody and Support Issues in Divorce: UCCJEA and UIFSA

2011

National Business Institute Seminar Evidence Tactics in Divorce: Witness Testimony

2011

Minnesota State Bar Association Interstate and International Jurisdiction and Custody Issues

2011

National Business Institute Seminar Child Custody and Support in Interstate Divorce: UCCJEA and UIFSA

2011

Minnesota State Bar Association, Family Law Forum Innovations in Resolving International Family Law Cases in Tough Economic Times

2010

National Business Institute Seminar The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction

2008

Minnesota State Bar Association, Family Law Forum Interstate & International Civil and Criminal Remedies to Parents of Children Who Have Been Kidnapped

2006

Minnesota Child Custody and Support Deskbook Interstate and International Jurisdiction and Custody Issues

2004

Bench & Bar of Minnesota International Parental Child Abduction

2003

Ramsey County Bar Association Barrister Interpreting and the Law

2002

Minnesota State Bar Association Family Law Forum International Custody Jurisdiction: The Hague Convention

2002

Minnesota State Bar Association, Family Law Forum Preventing Parental Kidnapping: Jurisdictional and Enforcement Issues

1999

MILE Seminar Parental Kidnapping and Child Safety: Current Case Law Trends

1999

Bench & Bar of Minnesota Determing Child Custody Across Jurisdictions

Languages

French

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution