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Minneapolis / St. Paul / St. Cloud

Attorneys

David J. Kennedy 
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Retired
phone (612) 337-9300
fax (612) 337-9310
email Email Me

Dave Kennedy retired from the practice of law on June 30, 2008 after an illustrious career in Local Government Law and Public Finance.

His understanding of the important role that local government has in the State of Minnesota and his deep and genuine interest in public law will continue to permeate the attitude of Kennedy & Graven.  His law practice philosophy that emphasized keeping clients informed through effective communication is a standard that we will continue to emulate.

Dave earned a B.A. degree in English Literature from the University of Notre Dame, graduating cum laude in 1953, and an L.L.B. degree from the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1960. While in law school, he was a research assistant for the League of Minnesota Municipalities (now League of Minnesota Cities).

After graduating from Notre Dame, Dave served as a naval aviator and a member of the Naval Reserve, from which he is now retired. From 1960 to 1967, he served as a staff attorney for the League of Minnesota Cities. Dave then served as the director of the Minnesota Office of Local and Urban Affairs (1967-1969), and as assistant senate counsel for the Minnesota State Senate (1969-1972).

Dave joined the firm of LeFevere, Lefler, Kennedy, O'Brien & Drawz in 1972 and later helped that firm's municipal law and public finance practices merge with Kennedy & Graven (then known as Holmes & Graven), whose co-founder, the late David Graven, was a renowned public lawyer and Minnesota political figure. Dave Kennedy served as City Attorney for the city of Crystal from 1974 to 1998 and served as City Attorney for the city of Sandstone from 1993 to 2006.

Areas of Practice:
Government Relations
Administrative Law
Local Government Law
Public Finance
Bar Admissions:
Minnesota, 1960
Education:
University of Minnesota Law School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1960
Bachelor of Laws


University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, 1953
Bachelor of Arts
Honors: Cum Laude
Major:  English Literature


Published Works:
Chapter 26, "Debt and Borrowing", Handbook for Minnesota Cities, 1997


Various articles on local government and finance


Classes/Seminars Taught:
Adjunct Professor, Local Government Law, University of Minnesota, 1965 - 1967


Adjunct Professor, Department of Political Science, Mankato State University, 1966


Instructor, Local Government Law and Administration, University of Minnesota Extension, 1964 - 1965


Presenter, Local Government Law, Various CLE Programs


Honors and Awards:
American Research Corporation's Law & Leading Attorneys Guidebook, 1994 - 1997


Professional Associations and Memberships:
Minnesota State Bar Association


Past Employment Positions:
LeFevere, Lefler, Kennedy, O'Brien & Drawz, Partner, 1972 - 1989


Minnesota State Senate, Assistant Senate Counsel, 1969 - 1972


Minnesota Office of Local and Urban Affairs, Director, 1967 - 1969


League of Minnesota Cities, Staff Attorney, 1960 - 1967


United States Navy, Naval Aviator, 1953 - 1972