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Kennedy & Graven Chartered

Kennedy & Graven Chartered

Counsel to Minnesota Cities, Townships, and School Districts

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    • Local Government Law
    • Municipal Law
    • Township Law
    • School Law
    • Public Finance
    • Employment & Labor Law
    • Eminent Domain
    • Economic Development & Redevelopment
    • Litigation
    • Municipal Bonds
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Municipal Law

Legal Counsel to Minnesota Cities

General Counsel • Special Counsel • Litigation

The term municipal law is commonly used to identify those laws that apply uniquely to cities or that otherwise are frequently relevant to cities. Kennedy & Graven, Chartered, devotes a majority of its practice to serving the specific needs of city government. Since 1958, we have provided continuous representation to cities statewide in Minnesota. Our lawyers currently serve cities throughout Minnesota as general counsel, and provide special counsel and litigation services. We represent cites among all four classes including both statutory and home rule charter cities.

Municipal Law

Our municipal law attorneys have extensive knowledge and experience in the everyday issues confronting city government:

Land Use

  • Zoning
  • Municipal Planning Act and Metropolitan Land Planning Act
  • Comprehensive Plans
  • Platting and subdivision regulations
  • Conditional uses
  • 60 Day Rule – action on written request relating to zoning
  • Annexation – orderly and contested
  • Purchase and sale of real state

Licensing and Regulation

  • Traffic control and parking
  • Nuisances – regulation and abatement
  • Liquor Licensing and Regulation

Council Meetings and Actions

  • Open Meeting Law
  • Data Privacy
  • Ordinances – notice, publication, enforcement and constitutional standards

Employment and Personnel

  • Labor rights, discrimination and wage laws
  • Public Employment Labor Relations Act (PERLA) – negotiation and bargaining
  • Fair Labor and Standards Act (FLSA)
  • Pensions and Retirement (PERA)
  • Federal Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • Termination and Discipline

Litigation

  • Construction related claims
  • Employment disputes
  • Enforcement of ordinances
  • Land use disputes
  • Adult use regulations

Utilities and Telecommunications

  • Gas and Electric Franchises
  • Cell Phone Towers
  • Easements

Environmental Law

  • Wetlands, shorelands and flood plains

Eminent Domain and Takings

  • Regulatory – inverse condemnations
  • Eminent Domain/condemnation for public purposes

Development and Redevelopment

  • Housing and Redevelopment Authorities (HRAs)
  • Economic Development Authorities (EDAs)
  • Development Agreements

Municipal Bonds

  • General obligations
  • Revenue & Private Activity Bonds

Public Finance

  • Tax Abatement
  • Revenue Bonds
  • Tax Increment Financing

Purchasing and Contracts

  • Bids and specifications – lowest responsible bidder
  • Best value contracting
  • Construction

City Revenues

  • Property Taxes
  • Special Assessments – to finance public improvements
  • User Fees – when available and reasonableness

Attorneys

David Anderson
David T. Anderson
Shareholder
612-337-9274
[email protected]
General Municipal Law, Litigation, Real Estate
Profile
Ronald Batty
Ronald H. Batty
Shareholder
612-337-9262
[email protected]
Economic Development and Redevelopment, General Municipal Law, Land Use Law
Profile
Cristina Cruz-Jennings
Associate
612-337-9303
[email protected]
General Municipal Law
Profile
Troy Gilchrist
Troy J. Gilchrist
Shareholder and Former President
612-337-9214
[email protected]
General Municipal Law, Township Law
Profile
Jason Hill
Jason M. Hill
Shareholder
612-337-9207
[email protected]
General Municipal Law, Township Law, Litigation
Profile
Sam Ketchum
Sam Ketchum
Associate
612-337-9244
[email protected]
Environmental Law, General Municipal Law, Land Use Law, Litigation, Utility and Telecommunications Law
Profile
Scott Riggs
Scott J. Riggs
Shareholder
612-337-9260
[email protected]
Commercial Real Estate, Employment Law, General Municipal Law, Litigation
Profile
Joseph Sathe
Joseph L. Sathe
Associate
612-337-9255
[email protected]
General Municipal Law
Profile
Sarah Sonsalla
Sarah J. Sonsalla
Shareholder
612-337-9284
[email protected]
General Municipal Law, Real Estate
Profile
James J. Thomson
Shareholder and President
612-337-9209
[email protected]
General Municipal Law, Land Use Law, Litigation
Profile
Rachel G. Tierney
Shareholder
612-337-9234
[email protected]
General Municipal Law, Economic Development and Redevelopment
Profile
Mary D. Tietjen
Shareholder
612-337-9277
[email protected]
Employment Law, General Municipal Law, Litigation
Profile
Robert J. V. Vose
Shareholder
612-337-9275
[email protected]
Commercial Litigation, General Municipal Law, Litigation, Telecommunications Law, Utility and Telecommunications Law
Profile
Pam Whitmore
Shareholder
612-337-9276
[email protected]
General Municipal Law, Employment Law, Conflict Resolution, Strategic Planning & Public Engagement
Profile
Samantha C. Zuehlke
Associate
612-337-9205
[email protected]
Real Estate, General Municipal Law
Profile

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Minneapolis

Fifth Street Towers
150 South Fifth Street
Suite 700
Minneapolis, MN 55402

612-337-9300

Toll Free: 800-788-8201

Fax: 612-337-9310

Saint Paul

US Bank Center
101 East Fifth Street
Suite 2650
Saint Paul, MN 55101

651-756-8405

By appointment only

St. Cloud

501 West St. Germain Street
Suite 304
St. Cloud, MN 56301

320-240-8200

By appointment only

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