Taft partner Kodi Verhalen has been elected by the Minnesota Legislature to serve a six-year term as Regent of the University of Minnesota for the 6th Congressional District. The Legislature elects new members of the University’s Board of Regents every two years. This year, the number of women serving on the 12-member governing board increased from three to five. She received bi-partisan support from nearly all DFL and Independent party members, and some GOP legislators.

Verhalen is a partner in the Energy and Utilities practice group. She is also licensed as a professional engineer in Minnesota and served as the 2016-2017 president of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) – a 31,000-member organization. Verhalen was the youngest person, and the third woman, in the NSPE’s history to hold the office of president. She has established an impressive reputation in the industry and is widely regarded as a top-notch lawyer and key business driver in the firm.