At Martine Law, our legal team is dedicated to helping others in a tough spot. We have a deep passion for getting our clients on the path to a better life. Whether you need a criminal defense lawyer or a family law attorney, you can trust Martine Law to fight tooth and nail for the best possible outcome for your case.
“I got into a lot of trouble a few years back. Xavier Martine was fantastic, both inside the courtroom and out. He kept me out of jail and allowed me a path to get my life back on track.”
Tyler Z.
The Martine Law Team
Fighting To Protect Your Future, Every Step of the Way!
At Martine Law, our clients are people, not just case numbers. We work hard to make sure each and every client knows that we will not rest until we help them reach a just resolution.
Our core values are:
- Trustworthiness
- Honesty
- Ethics
- Respect
- Hard work
- Excellence
- Trustworthiness
- Honesty
- Ethics
- Respect
- Hard work
- Excellence
Xavier Martine
FOUNDER & LEAD ATTORNEY
With a diverse background and deep personal experience, Xavier brings a unique perspective to his law practice that many lawyers can’t match. Growing up in St. Paul and serving as a nuclear engineer in the Navy, he learned responsibility and excellence. After graduating magna cum laude from Mitchell Hamline School of Law, where he led the Latino Law Student Association, Xavier founded a law firm in 2019 dedicated to justice and equality. His firm provides exceptional service to all clients, fighting tirelessly to protect their rights. Xavier’s personal legal challenges and commitment to family drive his advocacy in criminal defense and family law, ensuring every client receives compassionate and dedicated representation.
Rhiley O’Rourke
ATTORNEY
Clients frequently describe Rhiley as “compassionate,” a trait that inspired her to become a lawyer. Before law school, she worked as a Victim Witness Advocate and led Mitchell Hamline’s Self-Help Clinic, earning the Law Student Volunteer Award. Her desire to help others led her to specialize in family law, where she supports clients through emotional challenges, reunites alienated parents with their children, and prevents home losses. Prepared to fight for her clients’ rights, Rhiley balances empathy with assertiveness.
Jillian Morris
ATTORNEY
Jillian knew from a young age that she wanted to pursue a career in family law to help families escape toxic situations. After earning her J.D. from the University of Maine in 2020, she has dedicated her career to family law. Jillian provides compassionate and honest support to clients during their toughest times, ensuring they understand the likely outcomes and can strategically work towards the best results.
Ryan McKinney
ATTORNEY
Ryan is dedicated to protecting people from arbitrary punishment and unproven allegations. While at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, he worked as a student attorney on both prosecution and wrongful conviction cases. Since graduating, he has focused on criminal defense at Martine Law, passionately advocating for constitutional rights and leaving no stone unturned. Ryan has even helped prepare arguments for a successful case before the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Tyler Martin
ATTORNEY
To Tyler, personal freedom is paramount, driving him to defend clients facing significant jail time or lasting records. Fascinated by law since childhood, he sees each case as a puzzle to solve creatively and critically. Tyler graduated from Marquette University in 2016 and earned his J.D. from Mitchell Hamline in 2021. Passionate about criminal law, he is motivated by the relief clients feel when charges are dismissed or reduced. Committed to justice, he treats every case with equal dedication.
Luke McClure
ATTORNEY
Luke’s extensive background in military and civilian law enforcement makes him a highly effective defense attorney. He began as a police officer in the Marine Corps, earning numerous commendations, including a Navy Achievement Medal. After transitioning to civilian life and working as a paralegal, he attended Mitchell Hamline School of Law and later served as a city prosecutor in four counties. This experience, along with his work in Worker’s Compensation, equips him to spot flaws in the State’s cases and defend against unfair prosecution. Motivated by faith and justice, Luke vigorously advocates for his clients.
![Autumn-Amick](https://xmartinelaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Martine-Law-Criminal-Defense-About-Staff-Autumn-Amick-v2-150x150.jpg)
Autumn Amick
Paralegal
For many clients, Autumn is the first point of contact. She often communicates with clients regarding updates, court information and how to navigate certain aspects of the legal process. She understands how stressful facing criminal charges can be, so she tries to help clients as much as possible in effort to make things a little easier for them. Autumn is passionate about Paralegal work; she enjoys helping others and achieving the best possible outcome for the client!
![Sandra-Esslinger](https://xmartinelaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Martine-Law-Criminal-Defense-About-Staff-Sandra-Esslinger-v2-150x150.jpg)
Sandra Esslinger
Legal Assistant
Sandra was born and raised in the vibrant heart of Mexico. She pursued her passion for education, earning a Master’s degree in the field, alongside a Bachelor’s in English as a Second Language. Known for her unwavering empathy, honesty, and strong work ethic, she transitioned into the legal realm, driven by a desire to continue supporting others. Drawing from her experience as a job coach for individuals with disabilities, Sandra brings a unique perspective advocating tirelessly for inclusivity and accessibility. Beyond her job, she finds joy in the graceful movements of barre workouts, the captivating world of movies and TV shows, and the simple pleasure of enjoying life with her husband.
![Frank-Cerna](https://xmartinelaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Martine-Law-Criminal-Defense-About-the-Firm-Amy-Mowlem-v2-150x150.jpg)
Amy Mowlem
Legal Assistant
Amy has been a Minnesota resident for many years. She enjoys golfing, travel and architectural restoration. She is a graduate of the University of Colorado, Boulder with a degree in Anthropology and a graduate of St. Catherine University in Saint Paul, Minnesota with a degree in Nursing. Amy has strong communication skills for helping people. She is an active person who brings with her many years of experience working with the public on sensitive issues.
![Nathan-Babb](https://xmartinelaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Martine-Law-Criminal-Defense-About-the-Firm-Nathan-Babb-v3-150x150.jpg)
Nathan Babb
Director of Client Engagement
Nathan Babb is passionate about helping people navigate the initial stages of engaging a law firm. As our Director of Client Engagement, Nathan is known for his compassionate approach and his ability to connect with clients and provide personalized attention to each case. Nathan is a native Texan, raised in Houston, and holds a Business Marketing Degree with a minor in Psychology from Texas Tech University. This degree has equipped him with a deep understanding of human behavior, and understanding client goals.
![Frank-Cerna](https://xmartinelaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Martine-Law-Criminal-Defense-About-the-Firm-Frank-Cerna-v2-150x150.jpg)
Frank Cerna
Director of Client Engagement
With over 15 years of marketing and sales experience across industries like architectural construction and SaaS, Frank excels in exceeding targets and fostering client relationships. Renowned for active listening and empathy, he prioritizes understanding client needs and providing tailored solutions ethically. Working predominantly with B2C & B2B clients, Frank is committed to long-term client success, embodying integrity and diligence in every interaction. Joining forces with Martine Law, Frank brings expertise and dedication to elevate client service standards. His philanthropic values, which he embodies beyond the boardroom, inspire those around him. Partnering with Martine Law, Frank looks forward to contributing to exceptional legal counsel, focusing on integrity, empathy, and client satisfaction.
![Nestor-Salvador](https://xmartinelaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Martine-Law-Criminal-Defense-About-the-Firm-Nestor-Salvador-v2-150x150.jpg)
Nestor Salvador
Head of the Spanish team
Nestor Salvador is our Spanish Legal Assistant at Martine Law. Nestor was born and raised in Paraguay. He went to high school in Fridley, Minnesota and college at Metro State University in the Twin Cities. He has a master’s degree in cinema from the University of Barcelona, Spain. Nestor works with clients on the day-to-day operations of their cases. He is very passionate about helping people and is always looking for opportunities to serve.
![Karen-Gomez](https://xmartinelaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Martine-Law-Criminal-Defense-About-the-Firm-Karen-Gomez-v2-150x150.jpg)
Karen Gómez
Marketing Assistant
Karen is a member of the Marketing team at Martine Law. Coming from a creative and organizational background, she works on maintaining the day-to-day strategies and efforts to keep Martine Law out in the market, especially with the Spanish line of the firm. Karen manages different marketing channels, handles translations and adaptations for Spanish initiatives, and collaborates on and creates creative projects and campaigns. Her diverse skill set and bilingual abilities ensure that both English and Spanish clients of Martine Law are well-informed and engaged.
![Audrey-Pelausa](https://xmartinelaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Martine-Law-Criminal-Defense-About-Staff-Audrey-Pelausa-v2-150x150.jpg)
Audrey Pelausa
Operations Assistant
Audrey Pelausa is an Operations Assistant at Martine Law, stationed in Dubai. Specializing in administrative tasks and marketing support. She ensures smooth operations and assists in promoting the firm’s services. With a keen eye for detail and a proactive approach, she plays a vital role in maintaining efficiency and enhancing the firm’s outreach efforts.
![Chrissie-Arceo](https://xmartinelaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Martine-Law-Criminal-Defense-About-Staff-Chrissie-Arceo-v2-150x150.jpg)
Chrissie Arceo
Intake Specialist
Chrissie is an Intake Specialist at Martine Law, bringing a wealth of experience from her background in customer service. Her primary goal is to warmly welcome and talk to potential new clients, ensuring they feel confident and assured that the firm is here to help, no matter the legal issue they are facing. Known for her thorough and detail-oriented approach, Chrissie is dedicated to fully understanding and addressing each client’s needs. Her empathetic demeanor creates a supportive and reassuring experience right from the initial interaction. When Chrissie is not assisting people on the phone or helping with tasks within the firm, she enjoys reading books, and taking leisurely walks while listening to podcasts, activities that help her relax and stay grounded.
![Lourli-Mallari](https://xmartinelaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Martine-Law-Criminal-Defense-About-Staff-Lourli-Mallari-150x150.jpg)
Lourli Mallari
Intake Specialist
Lourli Mallari is an Intake Specialist at Martine Law Firm and resides in the Philippines. She plays a crucial role in welcoming new clients and assessing their needs. With attention to detail and a compassionate approach, Lourli gathers essential information and evaluates the viability of potential cases. She also coordinates with legal teams to ensure a smooth intake process. Her goal is to make every client feel heard and valued from their first contact with the firm.
![Eliana-Iriarte](https://xmartinelaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Martine-Law-Criminal-Defense-About-Staff-Eliana-Iriarte-v2-150x150.jpg)
Eliana Iriarte
Spanish Legal Assistant
Eliana is a dedicated and passionate legal assistant who helps with family and criminal cases. Born and raised in Paraguay, she has a unique cultural perspective and a deep passion for assisting the Spanish-speaking community in Minnesota. For Spanish-speaking clients, Eliana is often the first point of contact, providing support from the beginning of the case to its resolution. Eliana has studied Spanish-English Translation, so she ensures that every client feels heard and understood.
![Matias-Ortega](https://xmartinelaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Martine-Law-Criminal-Defense-About-Staff-Matias-Ortega-v2-150x150.jpg)
Matias Ortega
Spanish Legal Assistant
Matias is a passionate legal assistant who helps with criminal cases. He loves helping people and is deeply committed to assisting the Spanish-speaking community. Matias works tirelessly to help our clients achieve justice and regain control of their lives. He has extensive experience working with NGOs that help with the Spanish speaking community’s development and empowerment, he has translated for several non-profit organizations that support Latino communities in need.
How We Can Help
Our Criminal Defense Services
With decades of experience handling cases throughout Minnesota, our defense team handles everything from charges of petty theft and traffic infractions to accusations of domestic violence and assault. When you’re charged with a serious criminal offense, it may seem like the whole world’s against you. But we’ll stand by your side no matter what.
Our Family Law Services
Our experienced team understands the emotional and legal complexities of family law issues. We are dedicated to providing personalized, compassionate, and effective legal representation to help you resolve these issues and move forward toward a better tomorrow.
Areas Served
- St. Paul
- Minnetonka
- Bloomington
- St. Louis Park
- Brooklyn Park
- Maplewood
- Plymouth
- Richfield
- Lakeville
- Roseville
- Blaine
- Inver Grove Heights
- Maple Grove
- Brooklyn Center
- St. Cloud
- Shoreview
- Eagan
- Rosemount
- Burnsville
- Chanhassen
- Eden Prairie
- White Bear Lake
- Apple Valley
- Farmington
- Edina
- Lino Lakes
- Fridley
- Mankato
- Chaska
- Isanti
- Cambridge
- Litchfield
- Rochester
- Savage
- Elk River
- Big Lake
- Waseca
- Buffalo
- Champlin (Incl. Hassan Township)
- New Brighton
- Mounds View
- Crystal
- Vadnais Heights
- Golden Valley
- Annandale
- St. Michael
- North St. Paul
- Hastings
- Mendota Heights
- New Hope
- Little Canada
- West St. Paul
- Arden Hills
- Northfield
- Mound
- South St. Paul
- St. Anthony
- Sartell
- Minnetrista
- Hopkins
- Waite Park
- Robbinsdale
- Dayton
- Rogers
- Lake Elmo
- Coon Rapids
- Andover
- Carver
- Red Wing
- Hutchinson
- Faribault
- Shakopee
- Prior Lake
- Jordan
- Richmond
- Owatonna