Cassandra Jacobsen

Associate

Minneapolis

(612) 260-9079

(612) 260-9080

Recent Publication:

NLRB General Counsel Issues Memorandum Arguing Noncompetes are Illegal [Alert]

Aaron Holt and Cassie Jacobsen discuss a recent memorandum from NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo about the legality of noncompetes.

Cassandra’s practice centers on guiding employers through a wide range of employment issues. She provides advice on workplace policies, discrimination, harassment, and problematic employees, conducts workplace investigations, and assists employers in understanding and complying with ever-changing state and federal laws.

Cassandra also leverages her extensive litigation experience to represent businesses in disputes related to employment, contracts, partnerships, trade secret and confidential information protection, and enforcement of restrictive covenants.  

With a decade of experience as a litigation assistant and paralegal before entering law school, Cassandra brings a pragmatic and client-centered approach to her practice. She seeks out the best business solution for her client, whether through an early mediation, or taking a dispute to trial. Cassandra also helps clients successfully navigate through alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation and arbitration and is often retained as local counsel to guide litigants through Minnesota courts. 

Cassandra is committed to giving back and maintains an active pro bono practice. Her contributions include resolving an ordinance issue that threatened shelter operations for people experiencing homelessness and contributing to a significant legal brief submitted to the United States Supreme Court on behalf of the Native American Rights Foundation in a case of critical importance for the preservation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. She serves a volunteer attorneys for the U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota and the Minnesota Chapter of the Federal Bar Association's Pro Se Project and the Lawyers Serving Warriors®, a Pro Bono Program of the National Veterans Legal Services Program. 

An avid supporter of education, Cassandra regularly presents CLEs through the Association of Corporate Counsel and Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) and serves as an adjunct professor teaching pre-trial litigation at Mitchell Hamline School of Law. She provides practical, real-world insights and mentorship to shape the skills of future attorneys. Her role on the advisory board for Hamline University's graduate paralegal certificate program – combined with her leadership within the MSBA and the Minnesota Chapter of the Federal Bar Association – emphasizes her commitment to furthering the legal education and career success of professionals at all stages of their careers.

Cassandra has been recognized as a Minnesota Super Lawyers "Rising Star” since 2020 and is participating in the 2024-2025 Minnesota Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Minnesota Program.  

Cassandra earned her undergraduate degree from Hamline University and her law degree from Mitchell Hamline School of Law.

Outside of work, Cassandra enjoys traveling with her husband and their three kids, expanding her knowledge through a variety of podcasts, testing out new recipes, solo hiking, and exploring local restaurants.

Experience

News

Best Lawyers Honors More Than 200 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys in its Best Lawyers in America 2025 Edition

August 15, 2024

Best Lawyers selected 242 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s U.S. offices for inclusion in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

Cassandra Jacobsen Named “Up & Coming” Attorney by Minnesota Lawyer Magazine

August 07, 2024

Cassandra Jacobsen, an associate in Cozen O’Connor’s Labor & Employment Department, has been named a 2024 “Up & Coming” attorney.

Cassandra Jacobsen Selected to Participate in Minnesota Chamber of Commerce’s 2024-2025 Leadership Minnesota Program

August 05, 2024

Cassandra Jacobsen, an associate in Cozen O’Connor’s Labor & Employment Department, has been selected by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce to be a member of its 2024-2025 Leadership Minnesota program.

Six Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named to 2024 Minnesota Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

July 22, 2024

Thomas G. Wallrich and Christopher J. Bellini were recognized as Super Lawyers, and John E. Crozier, Cassandra Jacobsen, Samuel E. Mogensen, and Curt N. Trisko were named Rising Stars.

Fourteen Cozen O’Connor Lawyers Named to Minnesota Monthly “Top Lawyers” list

July 09, 2024

The list will appear in the July/August 2024 issue of Minnesota Monthly

Winter’s Coming. Tell Us About Your Dream Vacation Getaway

November 07, 2023

Cassandra Jacobsen was featured in a Minnesota State Bar Association LexBlog discussing her dream vacation getaway.

Best Lawyers Honors More Than 200 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys to its Best Lawyers in America 2024 Edition

August 17, 2023

Best Lawyers selected 232 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s U.S. offices for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Three Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named to 2023 Super Lawyers

July 17, 2023

Thomas G. Wallrich was recognized as a Super Lawyer, and Cassandra Jacobsen and Curt N. Trisko were named Rising Stars.

Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Support Critical Voting Rights Cases

November 01, 2022

We celebrate National Pro Bono Week by sharing the high-impact work of Cozen O’Connor attorneys who have contributed to critical voting rights cases.

More Than 200 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch

August 22, 2022

210 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Super Lawyers Names Four Cozen O’Connor Attorneys to 2022 Minnesota List

July 25, 2022

Super Lawyers has named four Cozen O’Connor attorneys to its 2022 Minnesota Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

Super Lawyers Names Two Minnesota Cozen O’Connor Attorneys to its 2021 List

July 20, 2021

Super Lawyers has named two Cozen O’Connor attorneys to its 2021 Minnesota Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists

Super Lawyers Names Four Minnesota Cozen O’Connor Attorneys to its 2020 List

July 23, 2020

Super Lawyers has named four Cozen O’Connor attorneys to its 2020 Minnesota Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. Three were recognized as Super Lawyers and one was named “Rising Star.”

Publications

NLRB General Counsel Issues Memorandum Arguing Noncompetes are Illegal [Alert]

October 17, 2024

Aaron Holt and Cassie Jacobsen discuss a recent memorandum from NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo about the legality of noncompetes.

And a (Happy?) New Year! [Alert]

January 03, 2024

Cassie Jacobsen offers a comprehensive overview of crucial updates to employment law in Minnesota that businesses should be mindful of in 2024.

Understanding the stages of brief [Minnesota State Bar Association]

July 05, 2023

Cassandra Jacobsen co-authored an article about the "stages of brief" she and other lawyers go through when assigned a substantial writing project.

What Minnesota’s Imminent Ban on Non-Competes Means for Employers [Alert]

May 18, 2023

Minnesota’s employment landscape is on the brink of significant transformation as proposed legislation banning almost all non-compete agreements progresses.

What Does Your Minnesota Business Need to do to Comply with Minnesota’s new Wage Theft Law? [HR Headaches Blog]

July 01, 2019

Starting today, Minnesota has one of the toughest wage theft laws in the country. The civil portions of Minnesota’s new Wage Theft Law, effective July 1, 2019, require employers to take the following additional actions:...

Industry Sectors

Education

  • Mitchell Hamline School of Law, J.D.
  • Hamline University, B.A.

Awards & Honors

Best Lawyers in America "Ones to Watch" 2023-2024

Minnesota Super Lawyer "Rising Star" 2020-2024

Top Lawyers, Minnesota Monthly, 2023-2024

North Star Lawyer distinction for pro bono service 2018, 2021, and 2022

  • Minnesota
  • Minnesota Supreme Court
  • U.S. District Court - District of Minnesota

Federal Bar Association, Minnesota Chapter

2019-2020 - Co-Chair of the Law School Outreach Committee 

2020-2021 - Co-Chair of the Newer Lawyers Committee

2021-2022 - Co-Chair of the Community Outreach Committee

2022-2023 - Co-Vice President of Special Events 

2023-2024 - Assistant Treasurer

Minnesota Bar Association 

2023-2024 - Labor & Employment Section Council Member

Hennepin County Bar Association

2015-2019 - Fourth Judicial District Ethics Committee - Investigator 

Leadership Minnesota

2024-2025 - Program Participant

Minnesota Women Lawyers

American Bar Association