Township Law

Legal Counsel to Minnesota Townships

General Counsel • Training • Special Counsel • Litigation

We recognize that governing boards of townships grapple with a wide range of legal issues — matters that are often unique to townships or significantly different from their bigger city counterparts. At Kennedy & Graven, Chartered, our attorneys deliver focused legal counsel in township law and devote a substantial portion of our practice to serving the specific needs of rural townships, urban towns, and unincorporated areas.

Based in Minneapolis, with offices in St. Cloud and St. Paul, our firm is a recognized leader in local government law. Since 1958, we have provided continuous representation to townships and municipalities statewide in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Our lawyers currently serve over 80 townships in variety of matters including general township law, land use, public finance and litigation.

TOWNSHIP LAW

Our township lawyers have extensive knowledge and experience in the everyday issues confronting town boards and commissions:

Planning and Zoning

• Platting and subdivision
• Conditional uses and interim uses; rezoning
• Approvals and regulation of feedlots and mining operations
• Community Improvement Corporations (CIC's)

Roads and Bridges

• Establishing, altering, and vacating town roads and cartways
• Responding to obstructions
• Drainage issues and utility placement

Ordinance drafting, including interim ordinances and amendments

Joint Powers Agreements for fire protection, police and emergency services, wastewater treatment, and other services

Contracting

• Maintenance and services contracts (including bids and specs)
• Construction and improvements (including financing or assessments)

Town Board Administration

• Open Meeting Law / public participation in meetings
• Hearings
• Elections
• Optional forms of town government
• Conflicts of interest
• Town Clerk, Town Administrator, or Board of Supervisors liability

Urban Towns — Most townships in Minnesota are exempt from the Data Practices Act. However, urban townships in the seven-county Metro area are not exempt, and we can advise on compliance with the Act. We are familiar with other legal matters unique to urban town government.

Our Attorneys

Troy Gilchrist has worked with township government since 1991. Before joining K & G, he was an attorney with the Minnesota Association of Townships and then was the Director of Operations/General Counsel of the Minnesota Association of Townships Agency. He brings extensive experience in training sessions for local government officials, legislative and state agency advocacy for townships, and management of pooled self-insurance programs.

Call Kennedy & Graven, Chartered to arrange a consultation with one of our municipal and township law attorneys, or contact them directly: