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

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Team Approach and Special Counsel Kennedy & Graven uses a team -based approach to the practice of law, which allows us to leverage the experiences and expertise of everyone within the firm to deliver the highest service at potential significant cost savings when compared to other firms. For example, the city attorney may ask to assign certain specific matters to a special counsel in the firm if the city attorney believes it is more efficient for the city to do so. The city attorney would retain overall responsibility to ensure that the needs of the city are being met. Special Counsel examples include: James M. Strornmen Public Utilities and Construction Law Jim Strommen is a shareholder at Kennedy & Graven and is well -regarded in the areas of construction and public utilities law. Since 1990, he has been general counsel to the Suburban Rate Authority, a joint powers organization of metropolitan area cities that total over one million persons in population. The SRA intervenes in electric, gas, and telecommunications matters before the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. Jim also serves as general counsel to the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, and he has an active municipal litigation practice. Jim further represents cities and school districts in all phases of public construction projects. During his career, Jim has prosecuted criminal cases, won large damage awards and established significant legal precedent in appellate courts. Jessica E. Schwie Litigation Jessica Schwie is a shareholder at Kennedy & Graven, Chartered, and practices in the areas of litigation and employment law. With more than fifteen years of civil litigation experience and success, Jessica has developed a solid reputation amongst her clients and in the community as a detailed, thorough and assertive trial lawyer, investigator, and pre - litigation advisor that is able to manage difficult situations. Jenny S. Boulton Public Finance and Municipal. Bonds Jenny Boulton is a shareholder at Kennedy & Graven, Chartered and practices in almost all areas of public finance including general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, tax-exempt lease financing, 501(c)(3) bond financing, rental housing bonds, industrial development revenue bonds, tax increment financing, abatement, and economic development. Jenny has served as bond counsel and special development counsel to numerous cities, Housing and Redevelopment Authorities, Economic Development Authorities, Port Authorities, and other governmental entities for approximately 22 years. Jenny also acts as counsel to many of those cities and their related HRAs, EDAs and Port Authorities in connection with their tax increment financing, abatement and other economic development and redevelopment matters. 12