For over 35 years in her immigration practice, Lesley has learned from her clients’ stories and experiences. Her clients come from diverse professional and national backgrounds, with plans to study or work or join family members in the U.S. She also assists businesses and organizations across a broad spectrum, including those in education, law, technology, manufacturing, and health care. Each client travels a different path, and she has been there to guide clients from their first temporary visa through the permanent labor certification process for an employee to obtain permanent residence (a green card). She enjoys working on national interest waivers, outstanding researcher petitions, religious worker petitions, and petitions for persons of exceptional and extraordinary ability.

While her current practice emphasizes employment-based matters, Lesley brings clients vast experience in all immigration matters, including family-based options, asylum, naturalization, and court proceedings. She serves as a mentor for other attorneys and volunteers her experience as a board member for the Advocates for Human Rights and as a consulting attorney for pro bono attorneys representing asylum seekers. She presents on Continuing Legal Education (CLE) panels and is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).

Lesley enjoys getting to know people from around the world, bicycling around the Twin Cities and the Midwest, and connecting with family. 

Bar Admissions

Minnesota

Professional Associations

American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)

Education and background

Formed Guyton Thuente, P.A., 2017, with Carey Thuente

Founded Guyton Law Office, 1989, a boutique immigration practice.

Launched her first private practice in Lafayette, Indiana, 1986

• Concentrated on immigration cases for Chinese exchange visitors, Iranian students, and applications for legalization.

Attorney for Northern Indiana Legal Services, 1978-1985

Attorney for the National Treasury Employees Union, 1975-1978

Juris Doctor, Antioch School of Law (now the University of the District of Columbia, Davis A. Clarke School of Law) 1975.

Representative CLE presentations

Keys to Strategic Writing, 2014 Upper Midwest Immigration Law Conference; St. Paul, MN, May 9, 2014; presented by AILA Minnesota/Dakotas chapter and Advocates for Human Rights.

Plan B: Alternative Forms of Relief to Asylum, Advocates for Human Rights 2013 Asylum Conference; Minneapolis, MN, November 8, 2013.