Agenda - Council Work Session - 08/23/2021 - Special

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FIRM BACKGROUND History Kennedy & Graven, Chartered, combines the tradition and history of two of the state's leading law firms in the fields of local goverment law, public finance, and development. The law firms of LeFevere, Lefler, Kennedy, O'Brien & Drawz, P.A., founded in 1958, and Holmes & Graven, Chartered, founded in 1973, combined their law practices in 1989 to form Kennedy & Graven. Since 1989, Kennedy & Graven has expanded and diversified its representation of public and private clients. The firm's practice continues to focus on local government law, public finance, litigation, labor and employment law, condemnation, education law and real estate. General Qualifications Kennedy & Graven, Chartered, is the largest law firm in Minnesota that focuses its practice almost exclusively on local government law. Every attorney at the firm is experienced in general and specialized aspects of local government law. This experience includes the many common issues that cities face, such as ordinance drafting, complying with the Open Meeting Law and the Data Practices Act, planning and zoning implementation, real estate, administrative enforcement, public utilities, public finance, and more. This experience includes working with joint powers entities, planning commissions, charter commissions, economic development authorities, housing and redevelopment authorities, and other boards and committees. The firm's representation of many local government entities often means that when a municipal client has a legal issue, an attorney at the firm has reviewed the same or similar issue previously for a different client and has the experience, knowledge, and information to respond quickly and efficiently. Number of Attorneys The firm has 36 attorneys and over 95% of the firm's work is local government law. There are 22 shareholders (partners), 13 associates, and one of -counsel attorney. Please see Exhibit A for a list of our attorneys and the areas of law that they practice. Expertise and Services Kennedy & Graven provides legal services to local government entities in all major areas including the following: • Local Government Operations and Management. Kennedy & Graven assists its clients in the full range of issues that arise in the operation of local governments from special assessments and contracting to data practices and election issues. Our role in assisting a local government includes both special one- time projects and making sure we are available as needed to advise on any day-to-day issues in a timely and efficient manner. • Economic Development and Redevelopment. Kennedy & Graven serves as development counsel throughout Minnesota and has negotiated numerous development/redevelopment contracts and assisted in every aspect of such transactions, from real estate to environmental matters. Attorneys at 5