Meet Kathy Keena
Kathy Keena is the 24th Dakota County Attorney and the first woman to serve in this position. She was first appointed as the Dakota County Attorney by the Board of Commissioners May 2021 to fill the term after the retirement of Jim Backstrom. Keena was then elected November 2022.
Kenna has worked at the Dakota County Attorney's Office for more than 25 years, serving in multiple roles including head of the criminal division and chief deputy. Prior to Dakota County, she was the county attorney in Lyon County and worked in private practice.
She's earned multiple awards for her work related to the Minnesota DWI refusal statute from the Minnesota County Attorney's Association (MCAA) and Minnesota MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving). Kenna's a board member and chairs the criminal law committee at the MCAA.
Kenna received a bachelor's degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead in criminal justice and sociology and her J.D. from Hamline University School of Law.
Keena says:
“It's an honor and a privilege to serve the residents of Dakota County. As your county attorney, I strive to protect our most vulnerable residents, safeguard the rights of victims, protect public safety and seek justice with integrity and compassion."
