Kevin is a respected and experienced advocate, effectively representing clients on complex policy and political issues before state legislative, agency and executive branch decision makers.

He serves as government relations counsel for clients in his areas of special expertise—health care, social services and tax policy—and also in a variety of other issue areas including capital bonding, commerce and business, government reform and efficiency, and procurement.

Recognized for excellence in his work as a lobbyist, commissioner of Minnesota’s largest state agency and state legislator, Kevin’s diverse background provides a unique blend of experiences and relationships that sets him apart from his peers. Most importantly, he works closely with his clients to understand each client’s legislative and business needs and short and long-term goals to make certain his representation embodies the client’s mission and broader goals.

Respected for his hard work and integrity in managing difficult and challenging issues and situations, Kevin has developed strong working relationships with legislators, executive branch officials, agency personnel and various stakeholder groups. He brings these relationships, his expertise as government relations counsel and over 20 years in public service in providing a comprehensive range of services to clients including government relations counsel, policy development, government relations strategy development and execution, advocacy before state government decision makers and influencers, and legislative bill drafting and tracking.

Kevin’s experience is much deeper than his expertise as a lobbyist. He also has extensive experience in state and local government, non-profit organizations, and the private sector. Prior to joining Fredrikson & Byron, Kevin served as commissioner of Minnesota’s largest agency, the Department of Human Services. In that role he then managed over 7,000 employees, and had an annual budget in excess of $9 billion. It also required him to work closely with other state agencies, county and tribal governments, and the federal government. Kevin also served on many high-level committees, including as a member of the Governor’s Health Cabinet, as co-chair of the Minnesota Mental Health Action Group, as co-chair of the Advisory Council to End Long-Term Homelessness and as a member of the Governor’s Drive to Excellence Sub-Cabinet.

Before joining the Department of Human Services, he served in the Minnesota House of Representatives for twelve years being recognized for his leadership on health care, human services and tax policy issues. Kevin’s private sector experience includes practicing business and employment law with a Moorhead law firm and owning and operating a retail business.

Community service is an important part of Kevin and his family’s life. Kevin currently serves as chair of the American Brain Foundation board, serves on the board of the Bush Foundation, and volunteers for a variety of other organizations. He also has a strong interest in non-profit governance with his past leadership roles with the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota and the Citizen’s League.

Kevin continues to be called on by state decision makers for his advice and perspectives about state government, fiscal policy and health care policy through informal discussions, formal presentations and committee involvement.

Kevin currently serves as chair of Fredrikson & Byron’s Board of Directors.

Fredrikson & Byron P.A.

At Fredrikson & Byron, we’ve built a reputation as the firm “where law and business meet” by bringing business acumen and entrepreneurial thinking to our work with clients, and by operating as business advisors and strategic partners as well as legal counselors.

A proactive, problem-solving mindset runs throughout our service areas, from our traditional legal areas of support like litigation, real estate, and intellectual property to our more consultative practices like government relations and health care consulting. It’s a mindset that enables us to understand and keep client objectives firmly in mind, and to anticipate and address problems before they arise.

Our lawyers blend a common sense approach with in-the-field experience, and we utilize our firm’s strong reputation and our lawyers’ broad networks of business and industry contacts to get things done for clients.

Clients have relied on us since 1948 for great solutions that help them minimize legal risks and maximize business benefits. We look forward to an opportunity to show you what it is like where law and business meet.