jgassman-pines@greeneespel.comDownload vCard
Education
- J.D., University of Minnesota Law School, magna cum laude, Order of the Coif (2006); Law and Inequality: A Journal of Theory and Practice, Editor-in-Chief (2005-2006); Staff (2004-2005)
- B.A., Wesleyan University, English and Women's Studies, Phi Beta Kappa (2003)
Experience
- Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. (2007-2010)
- Minnesota Supreme Court, Law Clerk to the Honorable Chief Justice Russell Anderson (2006-2007)
Jenny Gassman-Pines handles complex litigation and manages client responses to government investigations. Many of Jenny’s cases involve the defense of private and public sector clients facing employment claims in courtroom and agency settings, including discrimination, whistleblower and retaliation lawsuits.
Jenny also defends personal injury and product liability actions. Representing the operator of a recreation facility, she recently persuaded the Minnesota Court of Appeals to recognize the primary assumption of risk doctrine and dismiss a personal injury claim arising from an adult’s participation in snow tubing. Grady v. Green Acres, Inc., No. A12–0885, 2013 WL 400763, -- N.W.2d -- (Minn. Ct. App. 2013) (recognizing that the sport of snow tubing is an inherently dangerous activity).
An engaging public speaker, Jenny regularly educates audiences of in-house counsel, business executives, and other trial attorneys regarding how to reduce liability exposure arising from business communications generally, and interactions with counsel in particular. In 2013, her program, “Hot Topics in Attorney-Client Privilege,” will be presented to the Upper Midwest Business Law Institute, the Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, and as a part of Minnesota CLE’s In-House Counsel Ethics program.
Jenny is a recipient of the Cardozo Society’s Arthur T. Pfefer Award, presented annually to an outstanding young attorney, and has been recognized as a “Rising Star” by Minnesota Super Lawyer magazine.
BAR ADMISSIONS
U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
State of Minnesota
RECOGNITION
- Rising Star, Minnesota Super Lawyers (2012)
- Arthur T. Pfefer Memorial Award, Twin Cities Cardozo Society (2009)
- Outstanding Achievement Award in Employment Discrimination Law, Minnesota State Bar Association, Labor & Employment Law Section (2006)
- Baldwin Fellowship, awarded to the member of the senior class who shows the most promise of becoming an outstanding lawyer and public spirited citizen, Wesleyan University (2003)
- Camp Prize, awarded for excellence in English Literature (2003)
TEACHING AND LECTURING
Accounting 101 for Attorneys
National Business Institute webcast - June 29, 2011; December 29, 2010
Asserting (and Challenging) Attorney-Client Privilege and Work Product Objections: The Hottest Issues in Protecting Client Confidences
Pressure on the Privilege, Minnesota CLE - June 15, 2011
Candid Advice for New Lawyers
2012 New Lawyer Experience Summer Session, Minnesota CLE - July 19, 2012
Hot Topics in Attorney-Client Privilege for In-House Counsel
Minnesota CLE – February 16, 2011; May 18, 2010
Minnesota CLE webcast - November 11, 2010
Employment Law Institute – May 22, 2012; May 24, 2010
PUBLICATIONS
"Defining Child Exposure to Domestic Violence as Neglect: Minnesota's Difficult Experience," Social Work, Vol 51, Issue 2 (with Jeffrey L. Edelson and Marissa B. Hill) (April 2008)
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Federal Bar Association
Minnesota State Bar Association
Hennepin County Bar Association
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Circle of Women Committee, YWCA of Minneapolis (2012-present)
- Action Fund Board of Directors, Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota (2012-present)
- Co-Chair, One Hour of Sharing Associates’ Campaign, Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance (2011-present)
- Alumni Advisory Board, Journal of Law and Inequality (2011-present)
- Board of Directors, Jewish Community Action (2008-present)
LANGUAGES
Spanish