Theresa R. Paulson, Esq.
Theresa R. Paulson is a criminal defense attorney practicing in Saint Paul, MN. She started Red Diamond Law in 2016 and has been providing fiercely honest legal representation to clients throughout Minnesota ever since. Whatever your legal needs, Ms. Paulson has the skills and experience to guide you through your case, ensuring that you understand the process and your rights every step of the way.
Current & Previous Experience
Prior to private practice, Ms. Paulson clerked in Felony and Juvenile Court in Ramsey County Court. She served on the Minnesota End Revenge Porn Now Legislative Work Group.
Ms. Paulson worked her way through law school as a 911 Operator and Police Dispatcher for the Saint Paul Police Department/Ramsey County Emergency Communications Center from 2005 – 2015. While employed there, Ms. Paulson organized and led a group to build the RCECC’s first website, and served as a Member for the Saint Paul Police Commendations Review Board from 2006 – 2009. This experience has given Ms. Paulson a holistic perspective of the criminal justice system – from the first call to the sentencing hearing.
Ms. Paulson opened her private practice while apprenticing for Richfield City Attorney, Martin Costello, and working as a Guardian Ad Litem. Civil Society gave her a contract to represent sexual assault and human trafficking victims. She cobbled together many skills in her first year of private practice to better herself as an attorney and advocate for justice.
During her second year of private practice, she focused her efforts with Civil Society and her own private practice.
Today, Ms. Paulson defends people in Criminal Court and represents parents in Child Protection as Court Appointed Counsel in Ramsey and Washington Counties.
Giving Back to the Community
Ms. Paulson has served as the President of the 19th District Bar Association from 2016-2019, and President of the Washington County Bar Association in 2019. Ms. Paulson served as a member of the End Revenge Porn Now Legislative Task Force in 2016, volunteered as a Judge for MSBA Mock Trials, worked as a Guardian Ad Litem in Stillwater, Minnesota, and served as law clerk in Ramsey County Criminal and Juvenile Courts. During Law School, Ms. Paulson clerked for a prosecutors office, the Public Defenders Office, and externed for a District Court Judge in Washington County, Minnesota.
Ms. Paulson currently acts as Commissioner for St. Paul Parks and Recreation. She also served on the Advisory Committee to the Police Officer Standards and Training Board from 2020 to 2023 for the comprehensive overhaul of police officer standards and training.
Want to learn more about our services and how we can help with your legal matter? Contact us today to set up a meeting to discuss your matter: (651) 447-8777
Experience
- Red Diamond Law. Owner & Attorney
- Civil Society – St. Paul, MN. Assistant Attorney
- 10th District Guardian Ad Litem’s Office – Stillwater, MN. Guardian Ad Litem
- Ramsey County District Court. Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Diane R. Alshouse
- 10th District Public Defenders Office – Stillwater, MN. Special Assistant Public Defender
Education
- William Mitchell College of Law, Juris Doctor
- University of Minnesota – Duluth, Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy – Applied Ethics
Community Involvement & Civic Activities
- Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers: 2023 – Present.
- Minnesota State Bar Association, Criminal Law Section: Council Member, 2022 – Present.
- St. Paul Parks and Recreation: Commissioner, 2022 – Present.
- Advisory Committee to the Minnesota Police Officer Standards and Training Board: Member, 2020 – 2023.
- Washington County Bar Association: Member, 2017 – present; Vice President, 2018; President, 2019.
- MSBA, NextGen Task Force: Member, 2017.
- MSBA, Barriers to the Bar Task Force: Member, 2017.
- MSBA High School Mock Trials: Judge, 2015 – Present.
- Minnesota House of Representatives: End Revenge Porn Now Legislative Work Group: Member, 2015.