KEVIN A. VELASQUEZ
Partner
CONTACT
507.345.1166
kvelasquez@blethenberens.com
LEGAL ASSISTANT
Megan Karau
507.345.1166
mkarau@blethenberens.com
Kevin Velasquez has extensive experience litigating a wide range of civil matters in areas such as employment law, insurance disputes, estate and trust disputes, family law, construction disputes, auto accidents and general business disputes.
Kevin has represented clients in Minnesota District Courts, the Minnesota Court of Appeals, the Federal District Court in Minnesota, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Department of Labor, the Department of Agriculture and in various forms of alternative dispute resolution.
Kevin also counsels employers on a variety of employment matters, including issues involving harassment, discrimination, wrongful discharge, sick and disability leave, wage and hour compliance, unemployment insurance, noncompetes and contract disputes.
Prior to joining the firm, Kevin worked for a financial services company servicing defined contribution pension plans. This position provided valuable background knowledge of various employee benefits, tax and investment issues.
Kevin is involved in numerous professional associations including the Minnesota State Bar Association (serving as Sixth District President in 2012), the Federal Bar Association, the Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association, and the Greater Mankato Growth Young Professionals. Kevin has volunteered time for both the Federal Bar Association Pro Se Project and Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services helping low-income individuals with their legal needs. Additionally, Kevin has worked hard to give back to the region through his extensive involvement in community organizations such as the Mankato YWCA, the United Way, City Center Partnership, and the Mankato Diversity Council.
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- University of Iowa College of Law (J.D., with distinction, 2007)
- Iowa State University (B.S. Mathematics, 2003)
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- Minnesota
- United States District Court – Minnesota
- United States Court of Appeals – 8th Circuit
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- Named “Super Lawyer” (Minnesota Law & Politics, 2020-2024)
- Named “Rising Star” (Minnesota Law & Politics, 2013-2017)
- Young Professional of the Year 2014 (Greater Mankato Growth Young Professionals)
- Minnesota “Up and Coming Attorney” (Minnesota Lawyer)
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Obtained a favorable opinion from the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit while representing two landowners against their insurance company in a coverage dispute. The insurance company declined to provide coverage pursuant to its farm liability policy when an ATV injury occurred on their property. The Federal District Court Judge and Eighth Circuit agreed with our interpretation of the relevant policy language and ordered the insurer to provide coverage.
Successful representation of insurance company in coverage dispute with a landowner, where the landowner was sued after he built a dike and berm system that caused flooding on a neighbor’s land. The District Court granted summary judgment in our client’s favor, denying coverage, and the Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed.