About Michael P.
Michael P. Kennedy trained first as an economist and later became a lawyer. He earned a B.A. in economics from Macalester College in 1985 and completed his Juris Doctor at William Mitchell College of Law in 1994. The combination of economic study and legal training has shaped the way he approaches problems and advises clients.
He began his legal career after law school and has practiced for more than three decades. Over that time he has handled matters that require both legal analysis and an understanding of financial detail. Colleagues describe him as methodical; he favors clear explanations and structured solutions. He is comfortable working through dense contracts, regulatory filings, and the numbers that often underlie business disputes.
Kennedy’s early academic grounding in economics still informs his work. He often examines transactions from the perspective of market incentives and financial impact. That perspective can change how a case is framed, how negotiations are conducted, and how risk is allocated. He applies the same approach whether he is reviewing contractual language or assessing the economic consequences of a corporate decision.
His day-to-day practice has included transactional work and matters that intersect with regulatory and compliance questions. He routinely reviews agreements, advises on contract interpretation, and assists clients in structuring business arrangements to reflect commercial realities. On the other side of the ledger, he has been involved in disputes where financial analysis plays a central role, treating the numbers as part of the story rather than as an afterthought.
Kennedy tends to work with business owners, managers, and in-house counsel who need practical legal advice tied to economic realities. He likes to break down complex problems into discrete issues. He aims to provide options that make sense legally and financially. His communication style is direct. He prefers to map out outcomes and the trade-offs involved.
Outside the office, he maintains an interest in economic trends and how shifts in markets affect legal risk. He follows developments in commercial law and financial regulation, and he adapts his practice when changes in the law alter business incentives. He remains active in practice and continues to advise clients on business and financial legal matters.
He currently concentrates his practice on business and financial legal matters.
