Spencer Fane provides expert support for MMUA members

For Kaela Brennan, it was love of the state that brought her to the work she does for municipal utilities in Minnesota. From growing up in Omaha, Nebraska, to being a student at both the University of St. Thomas and at the University of Minnesota law school, Kaela started her journey as an advocate for publicly owned utilities with the best tools the state could offer.

Kaela’s first experience working in the law came from clerking with the Minnesota Court of Appeals under Judge Harriet Lansing, a position she held directly after law school. She then joined the firm of McGrann Shea Canrival Straughn & Lamb, Chartered, which had a history of working with government entities. There Kaela really dove into the municipal utility world and she was exposed to all things utility related or municipal law related. It was at McGrann Shea that Kaela began her work with MMUA.

As a young lawyer, one of Kaela’s early cases involved supporting her mentor working on electric service territory litigation. This led her to develop a practice in utility law, utility regulatory work, and complex utility contract negotiations. Working with municipal utilities is something to which Kaela has dedicated her life. She says, “I am inspired by municipal utility leaders working hard to provide excellent and reliable service.”

After McGrann Shea closed its doors in 2024, Kaela found herself at Spencer Fane. “I am surrounded by experts in areas of law that complement my work with municipal utilities,” says Kaela. “That experience, along with their collaboration, only improves the service I can offer to clients. More fundamentally, my colleagues are wonderful people, and I truly enjoy working together with them.” 

Kaela is proud to serve municipal utilities. Speaking about her move she says, “A number of municipal utilities decided to have Spencer Fane represent them, I'm delighted to say. It has been just a great privilege to have that sense of trust and confidence in the work that's being done. I’m so grateful for that.”

Over the years Kaela has assisted municipal utilities in Minnesota through her practice. She has provided general counsel services and representation through litigation, regulatory matters, and specific issues such as contracts. She also provides advice during utility crisis management situations when stakes and public pressure are high.

Kaela serves MMUA as its general counsel and helps with challenges that may come up. She appreciates being involved with the Association. “I've had the good fortune of working with any number of individual members of MMUA. It's great to have a chance to get to know people and to have a chance to work on some common issues.”

Kaela has represented MMUA for many years. Along with the other great work she does, Kaela presents information on electric service territory and other matters at MMUA events. At the annual Summer Conference, the T&O Conference, and the Legislative Conference, Kaela can be found informing members and attendees of important changes and emerging trends surrounding issues affecting municipal utilities. To Kaela, the conferences mean a lot, and are especially important for her to meet members in person. “It's just a wonderful opportunity to connect with leaders and to get to know them as people.”

One year after a popular kids’ movie came out, Kaela couldn’t get away from the songs her children would sing. “I wove one of the songs into a presentation I was doing [at 2016’s] Legislative Conference, and it was well received. So, I decided to do a follow up when I spoke at the Summer Conference. What fun to allow what could otherwise be a very dry and boring legal presentation to have a little bit of fun at the very beginning!”

Kaela wants to keep supporting municipal utilities through her law practice as much as she can. “I admire how municipal utilities creatively and effectively provide service and focus on customer needs. They are nimble and able to proactively identify concerns and to respond quickly in a changing landscape.”

Advice on legal matters isn’t all she has to offer. Kaela wants the best for these municipal utilities. “I encourage them to continue to focus on service, and to let the many additional demands take their proper place. I also encourage leaders to develop relationships—both within the utility and with community leaders.”

When not dealing with legal municipal utility matters, Kaela can be found on a walk with her rambunctious dog Loki or reading many books. Although not recently, Kaela also enjoys taking to the stage at her community theater.

MMUA is grateful to have a resource like Kaela Brennan for its members. The work she does is incredibly important to the Minnesota municipal utilities that exist today.