Jillian Kornblatt
PEOPLE

Jillian Kornblatt

Partner
kornblatt.jillian@dorsey.com

Overview

JILLIAN’S IN-HOUSE HR EXPERIENCE INFORMS HER PRACTICAL APPROACH FOCUSED ON CLIENT GOALS.

Jillian is a partner in Dorsey’s Labor & Employment group, where she focuses her practice on employment litigation and advice, and independent investigations. Jillian assists employers in investigating and responding to internal complaints, agency charges, and lawsuits based on allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, conversion, wage and leave statute violations, and whistleblower claims. In her advice practice, she helps clients avoid litigation and be in the best position possible if an employee does bring a claim. Jillian also helps employers navigate union grievances and unfair labor practice charges. Jillian has conducted a number of complex and sensitive investigations, using her clinical social work background to reach the heart of the matter in a way that leaves interviewees feeling respected during the process. 

Before practicing law, Jillian spent six years in human resources management. In these roles, she advised managers on employee relations, recruiting, compensation, benefits, performance appraisals, and organizational development issues.

Education & Admissions

University of Minnesota Law School (J.D.), magna cum laude
Note & Article Editor, ABA Journal of Labor & Employment Law
Minnesota State Bar Association Student Award for Excellence in Employment Law

Hunter College (Master of Social Work)

Cornell University (B.A., Psychology)

Admissions

  • Minnesota

Experience

Representative Work

  • Represented client in FLSA misclassification claim, successfully defending attempts to invalidate arbitration agreement’s class action waiver before the National Labor Relations Board and AAA.
  • Obtained Rule 12(b)(6) dismissal of age discrimination claims against client.
  • Conducted independent investigation of sexual harassment allegations against member of client’s senior management team.
  • Successfully represented client in union’s unfair labor practice charge with NLRB and employee’s state charge of disability and age discrimination stemming from the same circumstances.
  • Obtained Minnesota Court of Appeals decision affirming denial of unemployment benefits based on IT consultant’s independent contractor status.

News & Resources

Articles

The NLRB Reverses Course (again) on Employee Outbursts and Protected Concerted Activity
What Types of Pay Equity Laws Should I Be Aware of and How Can I Best Comply?
Federal Contractor Vaccine Mandate: Federal Appeals Court Says It's Unlawful But You Might Have to Comply Anyway
Sixth Circuit Lifts Stay on OSHA’s Vaccine-or-Test Rule, Putting ETS Requirements Back in Effect
What’s Next for OSHA’s COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard?
CMS’ COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate: What Health Care Providers Need to Know
OSHA’s COVID-19 Vaccination or Weekly Testing Mandate: Legal Status and Employer Next Steps
Biden Administration Announces Broad Employer-Based Vaccination Requirements
Congress Extends the FFCRA’s Payroll-Tax Credit for Employers (but not the Paid-Leave Obligation!)
Latest Minnesota Emergency Executive Order Closes Some Businesses and Extends Work-From-Home Requirements
Minnesota Supreme Court Retains Sexual Harassment “Severe-or-Pervasive” Standard, But Instructs Courts to Modernize Assessment of Acceptable Workplace Conduct
The Education Department Tests its Schools: New Title IX Rule May Force Schools to Revamp How They Investigate and Resolve Sexual-Harassment Complaints
Department of Labor Issues New Guidance on Families First Coronavirus Response Act Definitions of “Health Care Provider” and “Emergency Responder”
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Twenty (Or So) Questions With Dorsey’s Labor and Employment Team
FFCRA Employment Benefit Exclusions for Health Care Providers and Emergency Responders
NLRB Adopts “Contract Coverage” Standard to Apply to an Employer’s Unilateral Changes to Terms and Conditions of Employment
U.S. Supreme Court Affirms (Again) the Validity of Class Action Waivers In Employment Arbitration Agreements
Best Practices in the Era of Outside Investigations: Is Your Organization Ready?
How to Get Yourself Fired for a Facebook Post
Second Circuit Holds Pro-Union Sentiment Outweighs Impropriety of Profanity-Laden Rant Against Supervisor, His Mother, and “His Entire ****ing Family”
Don’t Get Hooked! W-2 Phishing Scams on the Rise During Tax Season
U.S. Supreme Court Grants Certiorari To Evaluate Class Waivers Under the National Labor Relations Act
Health Care Discrimination Litigation Gets a New Set of Teeth under the ACA: 2015 Litigation Review and Preview of 2016
#Concerted Activity in 140 Characters or Less
MN CLE, The FMLA Handbook, “Managing the Leave Process After FMLA Leave is Granted,” updated chapter, Co-author, Marilyn Clark

News & Press Mentions

Super Lawyers Recognizes 38 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
Up & Coming Attorneys, Unsung Legal Heroes Announced
Dorsey Partner Jillian Kornblatt Comments on Sexual Harassment Judgement
Super Lawyers Women’s Edition Recognizes 11 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
Dorsey & Whitney Names New Partners
Dorsey Attorneys Marti and Kornblatt Present Review that U of M was Compliant With Rules

Events & Speaking Engagements

Webinar Playback: Labor and Employment 2023 Symposium
L&E Briefing: Conducting Effective Internal Investigations - Materials
Webinar Playback: Bank Counsel Roundtable: Employment Hot Topics: Pay Equity Laws and Earned Wage Access Products
Webinar Playback: Labor and Employment 2022 Symposium
Webinar Playback: OSHA’s COVID-19 “Vaccine or Testing” Requirement: Understanding the New Rule and How to Navigate It
Webinar Playback: President Biden’s Mandatory Vaccination Executive Order: What We Know and What We Don’t Know
Webinar Playback: Fargo Employment & Benefits Update
Webinar Playback: Labor and Employment 2021 Symposium
Webinar Playback: Sexual Harassment Claims in 2020: A New Era
Webinar Playback: Fargo Employment and Benefits Update
Webinar Playback: Labor and Employment 2020 Symposium
Webinar Playback: New York Legislature Passes Sweeping Amendments to its Discrimination and Harassment and Pay Equity Laws
Labor and Employment 2019 Symposium - Materials
Seminar Playback: Pay Equity: Navigating the New Landscape
Fifth Annual DorsEdiscovery Forum
Labor and Employment 2018 Symposium - Materials
Seminar Playback: Annual Construction Symposium: Managing the Construction Workforce in 2018
"NLRB Report: Do Your Handbook Policies Violate the NLRA?" Dorsey Seminar
Labor & Employment Webinar: Navigating ADA Requirements and Performance Expectations for Employees with Mental Health Conditions
Webinar: The Dos and Don’ts of Pre-Employment Screening

Select Presentations

  • "#MeToo: Has a Powerful Social Movement Changed the Rules of Sexual Harassment Complaints and Claims?," Hennepin County Bar Association (February 16, 2018)
  • Dorsey L&E Conference, “Annual Cybersecurity Considerations in the Employment Relationship,” (April 27, 2017)  
  • Dorsey L&E Breakfast Briefing, “Employment in the Digital Ag,” (February 23, 2017)
  • MSBA Corporate Counsel Institute, “Hot Topics in Employment Law,” (February 10, 2017)
  • Dorsey E-Discovery Forum, “Let’s Go Back to the Beginning…Legal Holds & Preservation” (January 25, 2017)
  • Minnesota CLE, Problem Employees Seminar, “When the Problematic Behavior Stems from a Mental Health Condition” (Nov. 15, 2016)
  • Association for Corporate Counsel, MN Chapter, Nonprofit Tune-Up, “Employment Law Overview,” Training for in-house counsel to work with nonprofits. (October 27, 2016)
  • Minnesota Association of Independent Schools Head of Schools Retreat, “Hiring Processes and Employment Policies,” June 22, 2016
  • Assurex Global Webinar, “Making Sense of the Employee Classification Puzzle,” Co-presented with Bob Seng (April 28, 2016)
  • Dorsey Minneapolis L&E Employment Seminar, “Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One Before: New Twists on Disability and Religious Accommodation Requests." Presented with Sarah Herman (March 3, 2016)
  • Association of Corporate Counsel, MN Chapter, Pro Bono Clinic 2015: Employment Law Overview
  • Dorsey, 2015 Minnesota Employment Law Conference, “Investigations and Whistleblowing: How to Proceed When An Investigation Reveals Criminal Conduct or Other Improprieties.”
  • Dorsey, 2015 Utah Employment Law Seminar, “Negotiating the Mine Field - How to Avoid Retaliation Claims.”
  • Dorsey L&E Webinar, Accommodation or Corrective Action?: Navigating ADA Requirements and Performance Expectations for Employees with Mental Health Conditions
  • Minnesota CLE, Women’s Economic Security Act
  • Association of Corporate Counsel, MN Chapter, Pro Bono Clinic 2014: Employment Law Overview
  • Lee, Hecht, Harrison: Employment Law: 2013 Update and 2014 Possibilities
  • Dorsey L&E 2013 Fall Conference: Issues in Investigations: Who Did What, Where and When?
  • Association of Corporate Counsel, MN Chapter, Pro Bono Clinic 2013: Employment Law Overview
  • Lee, Hecht, Harrison: Employment Law: 2012 Update and 2013 Possibilities 
  • Association of Corporate Counsel, MN Chapter, Pro Bono Clinic 2012: Employment Law Overview
  • Dorsey L&E Webinar: But We’ve Only Just Met: The Dos and Don’ts of Pre-Employment Screening 
  • Lee, Hecht, Harrison: Employment Law: 2011 Update and 2012 Possibilities

Industries & Practices

  • Banking & Financial Institutions
  • Healthcare & Life Sciences
  • Labor & Employment

Professional & Civic

Professional Achievements

  • Former Vice-Chair, Board, People Reaching Out to Other People
  • Society for Human Resource Management 
  • Minnesota State Bar Association

Accolades

Diversity Inclusion Recognition 2023

  • Contributed more than 50 Diversity hours, 2023

Contributed 50+ Pro Bono Hours in 2021 Contributed 50+ Pro Bono Hours in 2020

  • Contributed more than 50 Challenge pro bono hours, 2020-2021
  • Listed as a Minnesota Super Lawyers Women’s Edition, 2020
  • Listed as a “Rising Star” by Minnesota Super Lawyers, 2020
  • Named one of Minnesota Lawyer's Up & Coming Attorneys, 2020

North Star Lawyer logo

  • MSBA North Star Lawyer, 2012-2015 and 2018-2020
Jillian Kornblatt