Our Team
Stephen M. Knutson
Partner
Stephen Knutson serves as general legal counsel for many Minnesota school districts in all areas, including public sector employment, employee discipline and discharge, reductions in force, unfair labor practices, discrimination, student discipline, student rights, data privacy, open meeting law, competitive bidding and public contracting, special education, construction and litigation.
Mr. Knutson has successfully represented school districts through all phases of litigation, including administrative hearings, state and federal courts in Minnesota and the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Publications
Author, Note, What Constitutes a "Meeting" Under the Minnesota Open Meeting Law, 11 Wm. Mitchell L. Rev. 251 (1985)
Phone: 651-225-0626
Email: sknutson@kfdmn.com
Paralegal: Molly Somogyi
msomogyi@kfdmn.com
Michelle D. Kenney
Partner (1994-2019)
Michelle Kenney provided representation to school districts in the areas of labor and employment law, personnel matters, discrimination and harassment, student rights, student discipline, litigation, election recounts and contests, school district reorganization, bidding and construction issues and business matters. She represented clients in state and federal courts and in administrative hearings.
During the 2011 State of Minnesota shutdown, Ms. Kenney successfully appeared twice before the Special Master to secure continued special education funding and school district access to state inspectors for school construction projects.
Publications
MSBA Council of School Attorneys Newsletter, Co-Editor (1995-2003)
Katharine M. Saphner
Associate
Joining Knutson, Flynn & Deans, P.A. in 2017 following a clerkship at the Minnesota Court of Appeals, Katharine has a passion for representing government entities and past experience in ethics, First Amendment protections, elections, special education, and employment issues.
Publications
Volume 100 Managing Editor, Volume 99 Staff, Minnesota Law Review
Student Managing Editor, Constitutional Commentary
Author, Note, You Should be Free to Talk the Talk and Walk the Walk: Applying Riley v. California to Smart Activity Trackers, 100 Minn. L. Rev. 1689 (2016)
Phone: 651-225-0645
Email: ksaphner@kfdmn.com
Paralegal: Molly Somogyi
msomogyi@kfdmn.com
Diane Twinamatsiko
Associate
Diane joined Knutson, Flynn, & Deans, P.A. in 2025 after graduating Cum Laude from Mitchell Hamline School of Law. Diane is enthusiastic about serving public school districts and charter schools.
Phone: 651-225-0625
Email: dtwinamatsiko@kfdmn.com
Paralegal: Molly Somogyi
msomogyi@kfdmn.com