Kennedy, David J.

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.