Rebecca Duren, Kelly & Lemmons, P.A.

Rebecca Duren, shareholder at Kelly & Lemmons, maintains a criminal law practice and is certified as a criminal law specialist by the Minnesota State Bar Association, a designation held by less than 3% of Minnesota lawyers. Her aggressive litigation approach has earned her recognition as a “2016 Up & Coming Attorney” by Minnesota Lawyer Magazine and “2019 Rising Star” by Super Lawyer Magazine.

Duren received her bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College and her law degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul. During law school, she clerked at the Ramsey County Public Defender’s Office. Following graduation, she served as an assistant public defender in southwest Minnesota and Ramsey County, representing clients in misdemeanor and serious felony matters.

Her litigation experience has yielded significant victories, including back-to-back acquittals of clients facing criminal sexual conduct and first-degree premeditated murder charges. Her thorough preparation and tenacious advocacy approach has established a successful track record in high-stakes criminal defense.

Most notably, Duren played a crucial role in securing the largest exoneration compensation award during the legislative session for Terrell Buechner, who was wrongly imprisoned three times for failing to register as a predatory offender. Working alongside attorneys Charlie Clippert and Sean McGuire, Duren successfully petitioned the district court that had improperly convicted Buechner and helped secure an award of $810,431.86 from the state of Minnesota.

The case required multiple legal proceedings, including detailed briefs and arguments to the district court, petitioning the Minnesota State Supreme Court to establish the compensation claim, and guiding legislation through the state legislature that was eventually signed into law by Governor Walz.

Duren’s practice areas include criminal law, labor and employment, and general litigation. She is admitted to practice in Minnesota state courts and the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. Her recognition includes being named a Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2019-2023.