07/07/2008 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • continues to focus on local government law, public financing, litigation, employment law, condemnation, education law, and real estate. The foundation of our success rests on solid, long -term relationships with our clients, some of whom we have represented since the 1950's. We are dedicated to the interests of our clients and the delivery of responsive, creative, practical, and high quality solutions to their problems. 2. Number of Attorneys and Areas of Expertise a. Number of Attorneys The Firm has thirty -eight lawyers consisting of twenty -six shareholders, nine associates, and three of- counsel attorneys. The Firm's practice is primarily comprised of representing local governments, and six of our lawyers represent school districts throughout Minnesota. • Approximately 90% of our Firm's total billings are in relation to local government work. b. Areas of Expertise The Firm's practice is concentrated on the representation of local governments including cities, townships, schools, economic development authorities, housing and redevelopment • authorities, port authorities and joint powers entities. The Firm has broad experience in the following areas: • • • • Local Government Law The Firm represents a large number of cities, townships and other local units of government. The scope and depth of our experience makes us uniquely capable of serving the current and future needs of the City. Our attorneys have experience in all aspects of local government representation including, but not limited to: contract procedures and drafting; working with joint powers entities, planning commissions, charter commissions, and other boards and committees; ordinance review and drafting; real estate transactions; transactional issues such as complying with the open meeting law and data practices act; planning and zoning implementation, administrative enforcement; and employment. Municipal Litigation Since its inception, Kennedy & Graven has engaged in a substantial and varied litigation practice. More than one -fourth of the Firm's attorneys practice to some extent in the litigation area. While the Firm prefers to avoid or minimize client exposure to litigation, in the last four years the Firm has tried approximately twenty -four matters to conclusion, including eight jury trials. Other areas of our litigation practice include eminent domain, land use, real estate, franchise /utility /telecommunications, and general municipal matters. Depending on the issue, Mike can select the appropriate seasoned litigator to represent the City. 3