Kennedy & Graven is excited to announce that McKaia Dykema has joined the firm as an Attorney, where she will focus on municipal law. McKaia’s unique experience working directly with Minnesota cities, and her involvement in national local government advocacy brings a valuable perspective to the firm’s municipal law practice.
Before joining Kennedy & Graven, McKaia served as the Manager of Legal Advocacy and Legislative Research for the National League of Cities, where she supported local governments across the nation. During law school, she externed with the City of Golden Valley, where her work focused on the Just Deeds project, a statewide initiative dedicated to addressing racial disparities in property deeds. McKaia’s earlier career also included roles with the City of Brooklyn Park as Strategic Management Coordinator and the City of Minnetonka as Assistant to the City Manager.
McKaia earned her Juris Doctorate from Mitchell Hamline School of Law, graduating summa cum laude in 2023. She was an active leader at the law school, serving as a Student Bar Association representative. Her exceptional academic accomplishments were recognized by the 2023 International Municipal Lawyers Association Charles Thompson Jr. Local Government Law scholarship.
McKaia holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, with a minor in Community Development, from North Dakota State University, graduating magna cum laude in 2018.
In her spare time, McKaia enjoys outdoor adventures with her husband, young son, and their dog, Roman. The family is passionate about exploring the U.S. National Parks and makes the most of their time in nature.
We are thrilled to have McKaia join our team and look forward to the expertise and dedication she will bring to serving the firm’s municipal clients.
