Up & Coming: Jack Sullivan

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Jack Sullivan is a relative latecomer to law, but he’s making up for lost time.

The St. Paul native spent 13 years working his way up the journalism food chain, from a crime and local politics beat in Fargo to a leadership role in the St. Paul Pioneer Press’ local news division. It was his work as union chair, though, that set the stage for his second career. That role required him to advocate for co-workers in disciplinary situations and work to resolve disputes with management.

“My role in the union convinced me that a career in law would be more fulfilling and challenging than journalism,” said Sullivan.

Sullivan brings his talent for advocacy to Dorsey & Whitney’s Labor & Employment Group, where he advises and represents employers on a range of workplace issues. Notable courtroom successes include a successful appeal before the Minnesota Supreme Court and a jury verdict with a counterclaim award as second chair in a contentious trade secret case.

Sullivan is exceptionally generous with his free time, too. He is board president of the Minnesota Justice Foundation, a co-founder and current teacher at the University of Minnesota Law School’s Employment Law Clinic, and board member of ThreeSixty Journalism. He has earned MSBA North Star Lawyer recognition for pro bono work for three years running.

“Jack stands out as someone who truly cares about the people he works with and those he serves as an attorney,” said Ryan Mick, a Dorsey & Whitney partner.