Richard LeRoy has devoted his career to protecting the rights of those who need it most. A lifelong Minnesotan, Richard has spent nearly 30 years working with clients across the state in cases ranging from low-level drug crimes to first-degree murder.

Before founding Universal Defense, LLC, Richard spent the majority of his career at The Legal Rights Center in the Twin Cities, where he represented a broad range of clients of all ages and backgrounds. It was during his time there that he became a passionate advocate for the basic principle that everyone deserves access to justice.

Richard’s experience is deep and broad. His approach is a blend of thoughtful counsel, aggressive advocacy, and practical considerations. He has extensive experience working in Hennepin County Mental Health Court, a specialized forum handling defendants alleged to have mental illnesses, developmental disabilities, and chemical dependencies. In every case, Richard offers real-world advice and clearly explains to his clients what they are facing, including often-overlooked collateral consequences such as loss of driver’s license.