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In private general practice of law with rapidly -expanding law firms in northeast suburban Twin
<br />Cities area. Broad background includes substantial trial and appellate litigation experience in
<br />state and federal courts over approximately 38 years of private law practice; legal counsel
<br />and former City Attorney for cities of Fridley, Maplewood and Lake Elmo (including criminal
<br />prosecution), current legal counsel (civil and prosecution for the cities of Afton and Newport,
<br />Minnesota, Legal Counsel, Independent School District 833. Forest Lake, Minnesota, the
<br />White Bear Lake Conservation District, and a variety of medium-sized and smaller private,
<br />corporate, other business and individual clients, American located primarily in the Twin Cities
<br />Metropolitan Area, The client base also includes a number of European businesses. Served
<br />as counsel, officer and member on the boards of directors of several corporate clients,
<br />including one "Inc. 500" national business concern, and charitable organizations, including
<br />as legal counsel for the White Bear Lake Area Lions Club. Principal areas of practice are
<br />general litigation, administrative and public law, criminal law, business law and litigation, local
<br />government, zoning, municipal law and probate. From 1996 through 2000, practice also
<br />included responsibilities as an appointed Contract Administrative Law Judge for the State of
<br />Minnesota.
<br />Knaak has served as local counsel on a number of major constitutional cases before the
<br />Federal Courts, recently serving as legal counsel to the Minnesota Secretary of State in the
<br />recent Redistricting litigation. He was also lead counsel for the Minnesota Senate Republican
<br />Caucus and for the Senator Norman Coleman Recount.
<br />1983 w 1993: MINNESOTA STATE SENATE, St. Paul, Minnesota
<br />Elected: State Senator in 1982; re-elected 1986 and 1990. Served as Senator from District
<br />53 including parts of Ramsey and Washington Counties in the northeastern suburban
<br />metropolitan area. Elected: Floor Leader and Assistant Minority Leader,
<br />Committees: Judiciary, Education, Education Funding Subcommittee, Metropolitan Affairs,
<br />Rules and Administration; Member, Legislative Commission to Review Administrative Rules;
<br />Member,
<br />State Council on Black Minnesotans; Member, Legislative Commission of Children, Youth and
<br />Family Members; 1992 Legislator of the Year, Minnesota Association of Treatment Programs.
<br />1978 - 1985: PETERSON, POPOVICH, KNUTSON & FLYNN,
<br />St. Paul, Minnesota (Currently Knutson, Flynn, Hetland & Deans)
<br />Private practice as Associate Attorney for law firm representing Minnesota School Board
<br />Association and over 100 school districts and other public employers in Minnesota and
<br />neighboring states. Experience includes advising large organization on employment and labor -
<br />related matters, including: work stoppages, employee benefits, contract management and
<br />interpretation; appearances in trial and administrative tribunals.
<br />PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & ACTIVITIES
<br />Member, Anoka, Ramsey and Washington County Bar Associations
<br />Member, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Colorado
<br />Member, American Bar Association and Association of Trial Lawyers of America
<br />Member, Gamma Eta Gamma Law Fraternity
<br />Member, Minnesota City Attorney's Association
<br />Qualified Neutral under Rule 114
<br />Member Representing Attorneys, Minnesota Electronic Real Estate Recording Task Force
<br />(Appointed 2005, reappointed by Governor Pawlenty in 2006)
<br />Minnesota Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers Member, (a private, non -bar affiliated organization
<br />of Minnesota attorneys dedicated to assisting chemically dependent lawyers and their families),
<br />1984 - Present; (Board of Directors, 1986 - 1993; Secretary, 1987)
<br />Administrative Law Judge, State of Minnesota (1996 - 2000)
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