profile

Pam has over twenty years of experience in the areas of local government law, municipal litigation and conflict management services. She currently serves as city attorney for the cities of Mankato, Marshall, Wells, West St. Paul, and Olivia. Before joining Kennedy & Graven, Pam created and ran a conflict management program at the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust where Pam worked with groups, such as elected officials, staff or public experiencing conflict or seeking facilitated resolution of matters. Pam is a Rule 114 Qualified Neutral in the State of Minnesota and continues to offer conflict management services, in addition to her city attorney work.

Pam is particularly well versed in open meeting laws and data practices, and trains frequently on both topics for other organizations across Minnesota. Pam also specializes in employment law and assists municipal clients with routine review and updating of personnel policies, day-to-day advice on state and federal leave and discrimination laws, data practices issues, and does workplace investigations.

Pam’s legal career began as a law clerk for the Honorable Robert Schiefelbein and then as a defense attorney at Iverson Reuvers Law Firm, where she represented cities, townships and counties throughout the State of Minnesota in land use, employment and civil rights cases. Pam later worked at the League of Minnesota Cities and the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust as an attorney and the Collaboration Program Manager. She previously served as the city attorney for Woodbury.

During her spare time, Pam enjoys reading, cooking for her kids, and golfing with her husband. She often can be found walking her Bernadoodle named Ernie.

Pam has this to say about Kennedy & Graven:
I am excited to join Kennedy & Graven because it allows me to work with dedicated and hardworking clients committed to their communities and to local government, while offering the opportunity to provide counsel on the wide-ranging and diverse issues that arise with local government. The depth of experience present at Kennedy & Graven, and the teamwork approach to municipal representation, complements my collaborative approach.

Education
University of Iowa, College of Law, Iowa City, Iowa
Juris Doctor, with Distinction – 1992
Honors: Published Law Review, Board Member, Moot Court Board

University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Bachelor of Arts with Highest Honors – 1989
Major: Political Science

Special Qualifications
Rule 114, Qualified Neutral, State of Minnesota
Certified Strategic Planning Certificate, UM Extension Program

Bar Admissions
Minnesota, 1992
Wisconsin, 2019

Professional Associations and Memberships
Minnesota State Bar Association, Member
Minnesota Association of City Attorneys, Second Vice President
Association of Conflict Resolution, Member
Minnesota Conflict Resolution, Member
IMLA, Member & various working groups

Classes/Seminars
Frequent presenter Open Meeting Law & Data Practices Law, Sourcewell
Open Meeting Law, LMCIT
Civil Use of Force class, LETAC
First Amendment & Signs, LMCIT
Cities, Elected Officials & Social Media, LMCIT
Supervisor Training & Difficult Conversations, various organizations
Carver Governance, Strategic Planning and Organizational Health, various organizations