Hillary Parsons
About
Hillary Parsons is a tenacious criminal defense attorney and Title IX defense lawyer at Tamburino Law Group. Known for her creative legal strategy and meticulous attention to detail, she defends clients facing everything from misdemeanors to serious felonies across Minnesota.
High-Profile Case Successes
Hillary has earned national attention for her ability to secure case dismissals through aggressive independent investigations and complex legal arguments. She has garnered a reputation as a high-stakes trial attorney.
- The $4 Million Drug Dismissal: She successfully argued that a massive drug bust was the result of an unconstitutional police seizure. The court dismissed all first-degree possession charges involving over $4,000,000 worth of drugs. The high-profile victory made national news and went viral, even earning a retweet from Snoop Dogg.
- Jury Trial Acquittals – Criminal Sexual Conduct: She regularly wins "not guilty" verdicts for clients facing serious felony allegations.
- Child Abuse Cases - Hillary’s science background allows her to fearlessly battle the State’s experts in child abuse cases and distil complicated medical issues into easily understandable arguments for judges and juries. She has obtained jury acquittals and extremely favorable negotiations in difficult child abuse cases after pouring through medical journals to defend her clients.
- Attempted Murder – Hillary’s client was charged with attempted murder for allegedly poisoning his ex-wife. Hillary located a study which cast such strong doubt on the State’s theory of the case that when the matter resulted in a mistrial due to evidence disclosure issues, the state chose not to recharge the case.
National Title IX Defense Practice
Beyond criminal law, Hillary is a trusted Title IX attorney representing students and professors at colleges and universities. She handles high-stakes campus litigation across the United States, including in Minnesota, Wisconsin, California, and Iowa.
Client Relationships – Going the extra mile
Hillary understands that the legal system is terrifying, and she prides herself on treating her clients as people, not case numbers. She does whatever it takes to help them feel supported.
Behind the Defense – Education and Advocacy
Hillary graduated Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from George Washington University before earning her J.D. Cum Laude from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2005. Following law school, she served in a prestigious clerkship with Judge Gordon Shumaker at the Minnesota Court of Appeals before returning to Tamburino Law Group in 2010. She has been recognized by Super Lawyers and Minnesota Lawyer-Top Women in Law.
She is licensed to practice in Minnesota State Court and the Federal District Court of Minnesota. A recognized leader in the legal community, Hillary speaks at Continuing Legal Education (CLE) seminars regarding trial strategy and DWI defense.
Outside the Courtroom
Born and raised in Western Montana, Hillary applies the same tenacity to her cases as she does to summiting mountain peaks. She is an avid lifetime reader who devours thrillers and literary fiction. She also fields a daily battle against the New York Times crossword puzzle—and consistently wins. Fascinated by human stories and complex puzzles, she translates this curiosity into her legal work, looking at every angle of a client's case to find the missing piece that others overlook. She incorporates her lifelong love of language into compelling, winning legal arguments both on the page and before a jury.
Education
- University of Minnesota Law School, J.D. – Cum Laude - 2005
- George Washington University, B.S. – Biology – Phi Beta Kappa – Summa Cum Laude - 2002
Memberships
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Ramsey County Bar Association
- Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Notable Cases
- Minnesota Court of Appeals - Solicitation of a Prostitute conviction overturned
- Suppression of evidence of 900 pounds of marijuana: https://www.startribune.com/montana-drug-couriers-busted-in-minnesota-with-900-pounds-of-pot-go-free/562663792 https://www.newsweek.com/montana-men-arrested-425-million-worth-marijuana-go-free-1464780 (Dismissal retweeted by Snoop Dogg)
- Minnesota Court of Appeals – District Court suppression of evidence upheld - https://law.justia.com/cases/minnesota/court-of-appeals/2020/a19-1651.html
- Title IX Actions Dismissed – University of Minnesota - Twin Cities; University of Minnesota Law School; University of Iowa; Aurora Health Care- Wisconsin; University of Wisconsin – LaCrosse; Macalaster College; Winona State University
- Multiple not-guilty verdicts in serious criminal sexual conduct cases
Awards & Recognitions
- Selected to Super Lawyers 2026
- Minnesota Lawyer- Top Women in Law Recognition - 2024
- American Institute of Criminal Defense Attorneys – Top Ten – multiple years
- Ten Best Attorneys in Criminal Defense – 2025-2026
Awards
Case Results
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Reduction of Charges First Degree Assault
When client is done with probation, the charge level will drop to a misdemeanor. Client did not serve any additional jail time. The family has been entirely reunited. This was a monumental result in an extremely difficult and complicated matter.
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No Executed Jail Time DWI 2nd Degree (Refusal and Two Priors)
Client was facing his third DWI in the last 10 years and had refused to take an alcohol test at the police station. Attorney Hillary Parsons, convinced the judge to deviate from the mandatory minimum and sentence client to 2 years of probation, a $200.00 fine, and no executed jail time, including no time in the Dakota County Workhouse, and no community service. Client avoided having to serve 90 days in the workhouse.
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Reduction of Charges DWI 3rd Degree (Child in Car; BAC .16)
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Case Dismissed Felony Strangulation
Attorneys Hannah Martin and Hillary Parsons represented a client who was accused of felony strangulation and misdemeanor domestic assault.
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Dismissed DWI Gross Misdemeanor
Attorney Hillary Parsons challenged the basis for the stop of a client’s motor vehicle in Hennepin County.
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Reversed Maltreatment Determination –Child Abuse
Client from Carver County, who was represented by attorney Hillary Parsons, was found responsible for maltreatment after their son accused them of threatening and assaulting him.
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Case Dismissed Receiving Stolen Property
Client was charged with receiving stolen property after they were pulled over in a car that was reported stolen.
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Not Responsible Title IX complaint
Client’s ex-partner initiated a Title IX complaint for nonconsensual sexual intercourse and touching against them at a local University.
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Expulsion Avoided Title IX – Sexual Assault Allegation
Client, who was represented by attorney Hillary Parsons, was accused of sexual assault by another student, and faced possible expulsion from their university.
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Continued for Dismissal Domestic Assault
Attorney Hillary Parsons represented a client in Hennepin County after their ex-partner accused them of assault.
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Dismissed Title IX
Client was represented by Hillary Parsons in a Title IX matter involving a teaching institution where they were employed.
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No Jail on Reduced Charge Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Attorney’s Joe Tamburino and Hillary Parsons represented a client on charges of assault with a deadly weapon charge in Hennepin County.
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Charge Dismissed Felony Terroristic Threats
Outcome: Client, who was represented by attorneys Hillary Parsons and Allan Caplan, was charged with making terroristic threats after a reply they shared on Facebook was reposted on Twitter and reported to the authorities.
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Charges Reduced Gross-Misdemeanor DWI Refusal
Client, who was represented by attorneys Hillary Parsons and Joe Tamburino, was charged with a Gross-Misdemeanor DWI after they were arrested for allegedly operating a jet ski while under the influence of alcohol.