Jen Cornell

Bar Admissions

California
Minnesota

Jen Cornell

Partner

Jen Cornell began her legal career in Minnesota, defending employers in nationwide wage-and-hour class and collective actions. Since moving her practice to California, her practice has expanded to primarily focus on California class and representative action under the California Private Attorneys General Act, with a particular emphasis on representing start-ups and tech companies. Jen also specializes in conducting high-stakes investigations, particularly those requiring sensitivity to brand impact or press management.

Before becoming an attorney, Jen served the Minneapolis Fire Department for 15 years in various capacities including Firefighter, Captain, Fire Investigator, and Battalion Chief. After graduating from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2010, she served as a Judicial Law Clerk for Judge John Tunheim of the District of Minnesota and then-Chief Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan.

Education

  • University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., 2010, magna cum laude. Editor-in-Chief, Law and Inequality: A Journal of Theory and Practice
  • University of Minnesota, Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, M.A., Public Affairs, 1999
  • University of Minnesota, B.A., American Indian Studies, 1993, Phi Beta Kappa
Key Practice & Industry Experience

Key Practice Experience

  • Fair Labor Standards Act/California state wage and hour laws
  • High profile internal investigations
  • Arbitration program development, implementation, motions to compel, and litigation
  • Federal and state pay equity laws
  • State and federal discrimination and retaliation laws, including race, sex, sexual orientation, and disability
  • ADA compliance and reasonable accommodation defense and advising
  • Family Medical Leave Act and state leave laws
  • Government audits
  • Manager trainings

Key Industries

  • Technology companies
  • Start-ups
  • Retail
Representative Matters

Representative Advising

  • Conduct investigations for highly sensitive allegations including C-Suite level sexual harassment allegations and press management
  • Conduct federal and state pay equity audits, FLSA and CA wage-and-hour- audits, hiring and recruiting audits
  • Conduct I9 audits and advising
  • Advise on leave and accommodation issues and policies
  • Advise on reductions in force

Representative Litigation

  • Represented private tech company in nationwide FLSA collective action with simultaneous government audit and CA state actions
  • Represented publically traded tech company in multiple overlapping class and PAGA actions
  • Represent nationwide retailer in single-plaintiff and class litigation
  • Represent private tech company in multi-plaintiff arbitrations alleging race discrimination
Professional & Civic

Publications & Presentations

  • Epic Maneuvers: Litigation and Legislative Tactics in the World of Class Action Waivers (Presentation for the Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute) (2020)
  • The #MeToo Movement Aftermath: How companies can identify and prevent harassment in the workplace, HR.com (2019)
  • Best Practices for Sexual Harassment Investigations in the Wake of #MeToo (Presentation for the Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute) (2018)
  • Anatomy of an I-9 Audit (Presentation for the Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute) (2018)
  • Deskbook chapter: Elements of Privilege: A Communication, Attorney-Client Privilege Deskbook (2018)
  • Deskbook chapter: Sexual Harassment Investigations in the Age of #metoo, Sexual Harassment (2018)
  • Enforcement Heating Up on I-9 Compliance, Corporate Compliance Insights (2017)
  • Evolving Science May Provide Coverage for Transgender Employees Under the ADA, Corporate Counselor (2016)
  • Required Without Pay: Deconstructing Integrity Staffing v. Busk (Presentation for the MSBA) (2015)
  • Title VII Perils of Gendered Dress Codes, Corporate Counsel (2014)
  • The Supreme Court’s DOMA Decision: What It Means for Employer Benefits for Same-Sex Spouses (CLE Presentation 2013)
  • Legal Protections for Transgendered Employees (Blog Post 2012)
  • Infertile Grounds: Feminist Interpretations of Infertility Exclusions and Sex Discrimination, Law & Inequality: A Journal of Theory & Practice (2010)
  • Trouble Tactics, Fire Chief Magazine (2006)
  • Disciplinary Action, Fire Chief Magazine (2003)

Community Involvement

  • American Civil Liberties Union-Minnesota, Board Member (2016-2018)
  • Friends School of Minnesota
    • Board Member (2005-2014)
    • Chair of Annual Fund (2005 & 2006)
    • Member of Capital Campaign Committee (2007)
    • Member of Head of School Search Committee (2007)
    • Clerk of Spiritual Life Committee (2013)
Recognitions & Honors

Recognitions & Honors

  • Minnesota Lawyer’s Attorney of the Year (2018)
  • National Finalist for White House Fellows Program (2013)
  • Mary McEvoy Award for Public Engagement & Leadership (2010)
  • University of Minnesota Presidential Student Leadership & Service Award (2010)
  • Stark Award for Civil Rights & Liberties (2010)
  • Order of the Coif (2010)
  • Colins-Fieldseth Award for Exceptional Volunteerism (2007)
  • Honorable Service Award, Minneapolis Fire Department (2002)