Kevin P. Goodno

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

Kevin serves as government relations counsel for clients both in his areas of special expertise — health care, social services and tax policy — and in a variety of other issue areas including capital bonding, commerce and business, and government reform and efficiency. He works closely with his clients to understand their business needs as well as their short and long-term objectives to ensure his representation wholly embodies each client’s mission and broader goals.

Kevin’s experience extends to state and local government, non-profit organizations and the private sector. Prior to joining Fredrikson, he served as commissioner of Minnesota’s largest agency, the Department of Human Services. In that role he managed more than 7,000 employees, with an annual budget in excess of $9 billion. The work required close collaboration with other state agencies, county and tribal governments and the federal government. Kevin also served on a number of 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 had served in the Minnesota House of Representatives for twelve years, building a distinguished record of leadership on health care, human services and tax policy issues. His private sector experience includes practicing business and employment law with a Moorhead law firm and owning and operating a retail business.

Kevin’s diverse background provides a unique blend of experiences and relationships that sets him apart from his peers. He has developed strong working relationships with legislators, executive branch officials, agency personnel and various stakeholder groups. He relies on these relationships to provide a comprehensive range of services to clients. He is respected for his hard work and integrity in managing challenging issues and situations.

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

Kevin currently serves on Fredrikson’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee. He is also chair of Fredrikson’s policy and advocacy affiliate Fredrikson Government Relations, LLC.

Commissioner

As the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Kevin:

• Led the continued restructuring of the state-operated mental health system in Minnesota by moving from a regional, institutional based model to a community based delivery system, 2003-2006
• Led the development and implementation of the American Indian Child Welfare Project, 2005
• Worked to develop and enact Supportive Services Grants to end Long-Term Homelessness in Minnesota, 2005
• Managed the development and launch of Minnesota RxConnect website, the first in the nation website to provide consumers with information about how to order prescription medicines from Canada, 2003

Legislator

As a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, Kevin authored many pieces of legislation. Highlights include:

• Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Bill: Chief author and primary House negotiator of bill that balanced the 2002-2003 budget, 2002
• Omnibus Health & Human Services Finance: Chief House author and primary House negotiator of the omnibus HHS finance bill which included landmark reform in services for the elderly, in services for people with mental illness and expansion of health care coverage for children, 2001
• Omnibus Health & Human Services Finance: Chief House author and primary House negotiator of omnibus finance bill which included major expansion of programs for persons with disabilities and the establishment of tobacco endowment funds, 1999
• Border Cities Economic Development Incentives: House author of tax incentives for the border communities of Moorhead, Dilworth, Breckenridge, East Grand Forks and Ortonville to help the communities rebuild after the 1997 floods, 1998
• 1997 Welfare Reform: Member of bi-partisan, House/Senate group that negotiated the landmark legislation, 1997
• Restrictions on Youth Access to Tobacco: Co-author and chief Republican strategist for the bill

Education

• William Mitchell College of Law, LL.M. in Taxation, 1999, summa cum laude
• William Mitchell College of Law, J.D., 1999, magna cum laude, valedictorian
• Concordia College - Moorhead, B.A., 1985, magna cum laude

Admissions

• Minnesota, 1999
• North Dakota, 2000

Professional Honors

• Best Lawyers in America, Government Relations Practice, 2014-2025
• North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association, 2019
• Lawyer of the Year in Minneapolis for Government Relations Practice, Best Lawyers, 2015, 2018

Community Honors

• Pro Publico Award for outstanding work in support of civil and legal services in the 2023 and 2024 MN legislative sessions, Minnesota Legal Services Coalition, 2024

• Champions of Justice Award, Legal Services Corporation, 2024

• Inductee of the Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) Justice Matters Alliance, SMRLS, 2023. SMRLS inducts remarkable people within the community into the Justice Matters Alliance who have made significant contributions to civil legal aid in Minnesota, and which makes a direct impact on the work that SMRLS is able to do.

Professional Activities

Professional Memberships

• Fredrikson & Byron, P.A., Board of Directors, Executive Vice President
• Public Affairs Council, Board Member, 2010-present
• Public Affairs Institute, Graduate, 2024
• Minnesota Government Relations Council, Member, 2007-present
• Minnesota Business Partnership, Deputy, 2007-present
• Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, 2007-present

Admissions

• Minnesota Bar Association
• North Dakota Bar Association

Community

• Bush Foundation, Board of Directors, 2017-present
• Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, Inc., Campaign for Legal Aid, Member, 2015-present
• American Brain Foundation, Board Member, 2011-2021; Board Chair, 2015-2019; Ambassadors Council, 2023-present