Legal services agreements
To authorize the hiring of the following firms for legal services and for the mayor and city manager to execute the agreements:
The city council is being asked to authorize the hiring of Carson, Clelland & Schreder for civil legal services and Kelly & Lemmons for prosecution services.
The City of Shoreview has been represented by two legal firms for much of its history. The city hired Jerry Filla as our city attorney in 1974. In 2012, the city signed an engagement letter with Kelly & Lemmons when Filla moved firms. Filla continued to represent the city until his retirement in 2014. Since then, the city has worked with Joe Kelly and Rebecca Duren as city attorneys. Kelly & Lemmons also provides prosecution services for the city, with Martin Norder being our primary prosecutor.
Given that the city has never issued a request for proposal (RFP) for attorney services, staff felt it was important to do so in order to analyze and compare options for legal services. The city issued the attached RFP earlier this year. As part of the RFP, firms could submit proposals for civil legal services, prosecution services, or both. The city received eight proposals, although one withdrew. Of the remaining proposals, six were for civil legal services and one was for prosecution services.
After review, staff invited Campbell Knutson, Carson, Clelland & Schreder, Flaherty & Hood, and Kelly & Lemmons to interview in September. The interview panel consisted of Mayor Denkinger, City Manager Brad Martens, Assistant City Manager Renee Eisenbeisz, and Assistant Community Development Director Niki Hill.
Based on the interviews, staff are recommending that the city move forward with Carson, Clelland & Schreder for civil legal services and Kelly & Lemmons for prosecution services.
Carson, Clelland & Schreder
Carson, Clelland & Schreder opened in 1979 and primarily focuses on municipal law. The seven-attorney firm currently represents six cities for civil legal services and 13 for prosecution services. They've represented many of their city clients for over 40 years. The firm also has four paralegals to support the attorneys.
The firm is proposing John Thames as the primary city attorney for Shoreview. Thames has been a partner at Carson, Clelland & Schreder since 2016. He has substantial knowledge and experience in many areas including zoning and land use, special assessment projects, municipal procurement, code enforcement, employment law, Open Meeting Law, and data practices. He currently serves as city attorney for Corcoran, Greenfield, Long Lake, and Spring Lake Park. Joe Murphy, associate, would assist Thames and also serve in his absence. Murphy joined the firm in 2015 and has experience in many of the same areas as Thames.
The firm is proposing $160 per hour for all general work and $180 per hour for development work performed under escrow. Rates would increase 2% or less each year. The city currently pays a $1,250 monthly retainer and $120 per hour.
The city budgeted $69,000 for civil legal services in 2027 to account for this transition. On average, the city pays $60,000 for civil legal services. As of August 1, 2026, the city has spent $30,466
Kelly & Lemmons
Kelly & Lemmons opened in 1974 and practices municipal law in addition to labor, estate planning, and corporate law. The six-attorney firm currently represents three cities for civil legal services and nine cities for prosecution services. Many of the cities that the firm represents are in Ramsey County and five of them contract with Ramsey County Sheriff's Office. As noted above, they've represented Shoreview for both civil and prosecution services since 2012. Shoreview is currently the only city where they provide both civil and prosecution services. The firm also has two paralegals to support the attorneys.
The firm is proposing Martin Norder as the primary prosecuting attorney for Shoreview. Norder has been with the firm since 2013 and is a shareholder. Norder spends about 75% of his time to prosecution services. He currently serves as prosecutor for Arden Hills, Falcon Heights, Little Canada, Maplewood, North Oaks, and Shoreview. Rebecca Duren and Cameron McLelland would assist Norder and serve in his absence. Duren is also a shareholder and has been certified by the Minnesota State Bar Association as a criminal law specialist. Less than 3% of Minnesota lawyers are certified specialists in their field. McLelland has over 20 years of prosecution experience and was Oakdale's in-house prosecutor for over 18 years.
The firm is proposing $100 per hour. Rates would increase 2% each year. The city currently pays $90 per hour. The city budgeted $61,000 to account for a possible transition. On average, the city pays $58,000 for prosecution services. As of August 1, 2026. the city has spent $32,634.
Based on the foregoing information, it is recommended that the city council authorize the hiring of the following firms for legal services and for the mayor and city manager to execute the agreements:
If approved, staff would begin working with both firms on the agreements.