Joe Atkins, Neighbor

Email: Rep.Joe.Atkins@house.mn

Website:  www.JoeAtkins.com

Phone:  (651) 451-6411

<strong>Background and Education</strong>

Joe grew up in Inver Grove Heights, graduating from Simley High School in 1984.  He went on to the University of Minnesota and William Mitchell College of Law, receiving his Juris Doctorate magna cum laude in 1991.  Joe paid his own way through college and law school by starting and operating his own legal investigation business.

Joe is now a partner with Rogosheske, Sieben, &amp; Atkins in South St. Paul, one of Minnesota&#39;s oldest law firms.

<strong>Family and Community</strong>

Married 19 years, Joe and Julia Atkins have three children.  John is 18, Tom is 17, and Katie is 15.  John is attending the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, having graduated from Simley High School in 2011.  Tom is a senior at Simley, and Katie is now a freshman. The latest addition to the Atkins family, a yellow lab named Cal, joined the family in August of 2010.

Joe and Julia have deep roots in our community.  They were born and raised here, went to school and church here, and chose to raise their family here.

<strong>Community Service </strong>   

As far as public service, Joe has served on on the IGH School Board from 1987-1990, as Mayor of Inver Grove Heights from 1992-2002, and as our area&#39;s State Representative since January 2003. 

For his service, Minnesota&#39;s firefighters have recognized Joe as their Legislator of the Year.  Readers of the South-West Review newspaper have also named Joe the &#34;Best Local Elected Official&#34; several years in a row.  Most recently, Joe was inducted into the Simley High School Hall of Fame, the first graduate to go in as both an athlete and distinguished alumni.