Meet Shauna Kieffer

Taking on the most challenging criminal cases—and winning

Tenacious. Innovative. Justice-driven. Shauna Kieffer has earned a reputation as a fierce litigator who treats each client with the utmost respect and fairness.

2024 Champion of Justice Award

A criminal defense trailblazer

For more than 15 years, Shauna Kieffer has represented thousands of clients facing criminal charges with tenacity and integrity—all while creating meaningful change within the criminal justice system.

In part as a result of Shauna’s litigation, the Hennepin County Attorney must now disclose exculpatory Brady materials in their cases. She was also the first person in Minnesota to litigate and uncover secret warrants filed under seal in another county—warrants that weren't given to the State.

In short, Shauna is the warrior you want in your corner.

Rooted in the intricacies and nuances of the law, she brings both a rare talent for legal research and writing and out-of-the-box thinking to the pursuit of justice.

  • 2024 Champion of Justice honoree, awarded by the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

  • Admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court in 2024

  • Unanimously voted into the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice, a highly selective society for criminal defense lawyers capped at only 50 attorneys in 2023

  • Selected to speak to the recovery community alongside a City of Minneapolis prosecutor, a Hennepin County attorney, and a judge regarding 4th and 5th Amendment rights in 2023

  • Amicus Chair for the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in 2023; in this capacity, authored an amicus brief for Torgerson—a case involving expansion of a stop based on the smell of marijuana alone

  • Serves on the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers board of directors, 2022 - present

  • Speaker at many continuing education events, including sessions on No Knock Warrants for the Minnesota State Bar Association in 2022, U.S. Supreme Court case law updates in 2022, and electronic surveillance to judges and lawyers for the Criminal Justice Institute in 2022

  • Minnesota Public Defender Trial School educator in 2022 and delivered statewide training in 2021

A Minnesota defense lawyer with the experience to realize your best outcome

  • First attorney in the State of Minnesota to discover a live-time tracking warrant filed in secret, under seal in a county where the case did not arise—and where the warrant was not provided to the prosecutor through litigation

  • Twice published in Bench and Bar magazine

  • Chosen as a liaison between the Department of Justice and public defenders regarding issuing a decree on Minneapolis Police in 2020

  • Delivered arguments at the district court level in State v. Leonard regarding hotel registry privacy, which prevailed before the Minnesota Supreme Court in 2019

  • Clerked for Hon. Judge Holahan from 2008-2010, and in that capacity wrote, researched, and drafted hundreds of judicial orders in Minnesota's largest trial court—the Fourth Judicial District of Hennepin County

  • Licensed in U.S. Federal Court in 2010

  • Licensed in Minnesota State Court in 2008

  • Graduate of University of St. Thomas School of Law, 2008

  • Dean's Academic Scholarship, University of St. Thomas School of Law, 2005-2008

Developing your winning legal argument

While the details of each case are unique, Shauna’s approach to developing the best criminal defense strategy possible involves:

  • Listening to the client (and their loved ones, as requested)

  • Obtaining all of the evidence in the case, including evidence the State of Minnesota may be trying to withhold

  • Litigating any issues involving probable cause, evidence suppression, witness impeachment, junk science, discovery not yet provided, illegal stops, illegal arrests, illegal warrants, informants without credibility, mental health issues, and more

  • Working with investigators and dispositional advisors (or social workers), where applicable

  • Working with the client to achieve the best possible resolution in their criminal case, whether that is a dismissal, plea deal, or jury trial

This information does not constitute an attorney-client relationship and is not meant as legal advice. Please set up a consultation with Shauna or another reputable lawyer if you want legal advice.

In the media

  • Cover of the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers magazine

    Torgerson Amicus Brief: Warrantless search of a motor vehicle based on the smell of cannabis

    Read the brief
  • Star Tribune article that addresses Shauna Kieffer's advocacy for a man falsely accused of a shootout with Minneapolis police

    Citing evidence issues, attorney for man injured in shootout with Minneapolis police asks that Hennepin County be removed from case

    Read the article
  • Cover of Minnesota Bench & Bar magazine

    This Moment and This Breath: A public defender writes about loss, survival, and extreme sports

    Read the article
  • Cover of Minnesota Bench & Bar magazine

    Colleague Corner: What are the biggest misconceptions other attorneys have about your practice area?

    Read the article

  • Thank you, you really saved my life.

    -A client convicted of vehicular homicide who was not sentenced to prison time

  • I cannot thank you enough for making sure this baby's father is there to raise him.

    - The mother of a client’s son; he was looking at a mandatory 5-year prison sentence but was acquitted of felony possession at a jury trial

  • See, I knew you could get it dismissed.

    -A client accused of attempted murder; the victim was actually struck by a bullet from a motor vehicle

  • Are you serious? Thank you, may the Lord bless you..

    -A client accused of criminal sexual conduct when the case was dismissed

  • Oh, hell yes.

    -A client acquitted at jury trial of assaulting an officer

  • Can we at least buy you a pair of shoes? I know you like to run.

    -The wife of a man charged in a gun case; his felony possession case was dismissed (No, I didn't accept the shoes.)

  • Let's go out for prime rib!

    -A client acquitted at jury trial of fleeing the police

Request a consultation

Looking for sound legal advice and an experienced Minnesota criminal defense lawyer? Connect with Kieffer Law for a free consultation.

The use of email is primarily for convenience; electronic mail is not secure and you should avoid including sensitive, confidential, or damaging information in your request. Requesting a consultation does not constitute an attorney-client relationship.