Carolyn Agin Bruno
Carolyn has provided effective and energetic criminal defense representation in state and federal cases since 1990. Her extensive credentials shows that she is truly one of the best criminal defense attorneys in the Twin Cities, Duluth, and the State of Minnesota.
Recognized as a "Super Lawyer" since 2000 and one of the "Top 40 MN Criminal Lawyers" by Minnesota publications, Carolyn is a proven criminal defense attorney with over three decades of legal experience. Since 2001, she has earned Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating, AV Preeminent, for her incredible legal achievements, an honor only granted to the best attorneys. Her results include numerous pre-trial dismissals, trial acquittals, remarkable settlements, and victories at the appellate level.
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Licenses
- Minnesota District Court, 1990
- United States District Court, District of Minnesota, 1991
Education
- J.D., William Mitchell College of Law, 1990
- Regents College, London, England, Summer 1988
- B.A., Western Michigan University
Distinctions
- Founder and principal attorney, Law Office of Carolyn Agin Schmidt, 1994-2017
- "Super Lawyer," Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine, Twin Cities Business Monthly Magazine, MN Journal Law & Politics Magazine (2000 - present)
- "Top 40 MN Criminal Lawyers," Minnesota Journal of Law & Politics, 2002
- “Top 100 Women Super Lawyers,” Minnesota Journal of Law & Politics, 2005
- "200 People to Know in the Twin Cities," Twin Cities Business Magazine
- Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating, AV, for her incredible legal achievements (since 2001)
- Listed among the National Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers-By Martindale-Hubbell
- President, Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers ('14/'15). VP, Treasurer, and Secretary
- Emergency Interim Legal Counsel, Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2005 - present
- Federal Public Defender Panel Member, 2002 - present
- Associate Editor & Co-Author: DUI In Minnesota, Minnesota CLE
- Assembly Representative, Minnesota State Bar Assoc. Board of Governors: Criminal Law Section, '05/'06
- Section Chair, Minnesota State Bar Association, Criminal Law Section (2004/2005), Treasurer (2003/2004)
- Board Member, Hennepin County Sheriff Foundation, 2015-2017
- Planning Committee & regular speaker, MN Criminal Justice Institute, 2004 - present
- Adjunct Instructor, William Mitchell College of Law ,1995 - 1998
- Presenter, CLE topics for: MN CLE, MN Criminal Justice Institute and Solo Small Firm conference, Guns in Minnesota, and other CLEs and Webcasts; Minnesota State Bar Assoc./Criminal Section; MN Institute of Legal Education
- Board of Directors & Treasurer, ALPHA Human Services, 1995-2004
- Founder and Trained Mediator - "Alliance Mediation Services," 1994
- Corporate training: "Why not to get a DWI," Cargill, Inc. (2005-2007)
- Co-Founder, Juris Divas, 2003 - present
More About Carolyn
Since 1990, Carolyn has dedicated her career to defending those accused of crime. She prides herself on not only presenting a vigorous defense of her clients, but doing so in a manner that is respectful and compassionate. She says, “I truly want to help my clients through one of the lowest points in their lives.” A deft negotiator, Carolyn’s relationships and problem solving allow her to find collaborative and creative ways to resolve cases in her client’s favor. She also helps her clients identify underlying issues that have led them to be charged with a crime and finds solutions to address those issues. These creative solutions can have a remarkable impact on plea negotiations and her client’s life going forward. Although known for favorable negotiations on behalf of her clients, if negotiations fail, prosecutors know Carolyn has the skill and acumen to prevail through aggressive and strategic litigation.
In 2018, after 24 years of solely owning her own firm, Carolyn merged her firm with her husband’s to form a new Bruno Law, creating a family business that includes her husband, her daughter, and her son-in-law.
“I remember when Sammi, as a little girl, would pretend to read my law books, and later, still as a girl, helped me with bookkeeping and filing. Now, I am honored to work alongside her, my husband, Fred, and my son-in-law, Stephen.”
She says, “Together, our family will work tirelessly for the best possible outcome of your case. Let our family defend yours!”
