OUR
EXPERIENCE
Our attorneys have over 50 years combined experience in representing municipalities. We represent
13 cities and numerous townships in the counties of Anoka, Benton, Carver, Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Dakota, Hennepin, McLeod, Mille Lacs, Meeker, Scott, St. Louis, Stearns, Sherburne and Wright, among others. We have extensive experience with development agreements, land use issues, planning and zoning, economic development and redevelopment (both industrial and commercial), municipal bonding, personnel and employment matters, property law, municipal improvement projects, eminent domain, joint powers agreements, municipal services expansion, elections and annexation.
We have deliberately maintained a very stable, solid municipal law practice, with a very broad base of municipal clients. In 2023, 98% of our firm’s billings were for municipal clients, both cities and townships. With over 98% of our business in municipal law, we have both the depth and expertise to provide municipalities with sound legal advice and representation. In addition, our broad municipal client base ensures that our main emphasis will remain in municipal law for many years to come. We expect our municipal practice to continue to grow in the foreseeable future.
OUR ATTORNEYS
​​MICHAEL C. COURI
Michael C. Couri is a partner with Couri & Ruppe. Mr. Couri received his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Illinois State University in 1985. He then received his Certified Public Accountant certificate and Juris Doctorate from the University of Illinois in 1988. He was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1988 and the Minnesota Bar in 1991. Mr. Couri has been continuously engaged in the practice of Municipal Law in Minnesota since 1991. He has been the City Attorney for the City of Albertville since 1992, the City of St. Augusta since 2000, and the City of Rockford since 2002. He has also represented a number of Townships since his entry into the practice of Municipal Law in 1991. Mr. Couri has attended City and Township sponsored continuing legal education seminars annually since 1991 and has periodically spoken on Municipal issues before City and Township organizations.
Email Mike: mike@couriruppe.com
​​ROBERT T. RUPPE
Robert T. Ruppe is a partner with Couri & Ruppe. Mr. Ruppe received his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Illinois, in 1987. He then received his Juris Doctorate from the University of San Francisco in 1990. He practiced as a litigator for ten years prior to joining Couri & Ruppe in 2000.
Mr. Ruppe has experience with annexations, development agreements, complex litigation, eminent domain litigation, misdemeanor prosecution, election law, road establishment, special
assessments, hazardous building litigation, and municipal contracts. He serves as City Attorney for the cities of Kingston, Onamia and Nowthen.
Email Bob: bob@couriruppe.com
MARK S. ALLSEITS
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Mark S. Allseits is an associate with Couri & Ruppe. Mr. Allseits received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Western Kentucky University in 2017. He then received his Juris Doctorate from the University of St. Thomas School of Law in 2020. He was admitted to the Minnesota Bar in 2022. Mr. Allseits honed his legal skills as a judicial clerk in the Fourth Judicial District for nearly two years. After his clerkship, he practiced as an Assistant Hennepin County Attorney prosecuting primarily property and drug crimes until starting with Couri & Ruppe in 2024. Mr. Allseits is eager to work with the firm’s large network of municipal clients.
Email Mark: mark@couriruppe.com