Jennell K. Shannon

Jennell K. Shannon (Jenna) is a senior associate in the Minneapolis, Minnesota, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. Over the past nine years Jenna has developed significant expertise defending complex wage and hour matters, including defending against putative federal and state class actions, collective actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and representative actions under the California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). Jenna has successfully argued against certification of class and collective actions and vigorously defended representative PAGA claims. In connection with wage and hour matters Jenna frequently liaises with city, state, and federal agencies to resolve labor and employment charges. Jenna understands the concerns of businesses and employers in today’s marketplace, having founded and sold a business herself. Leveraging her experience, she continuously strives to reach the best outcomes for her clients.

Jenna’s experience includes representation of a wide range of clients—from Fortune 500 companies to professional sports teams to start-ups. Jenna enjoys working collaboratively with companies to address and solve personnel and employment concerns. In addition to her defense-side complex litigation practice, Jenna defends against single-plaintiff discrimination, retaliation, and whistleblower claims. Jenna also provides advice and counsel regarding employment matters, including advising on employee handbooks and policies, employment contracts and agreements, and business organization and operations matters. Jenna has experience performing internal audits and investigations for management-side clients and provides workforce training to human resources departments regarding state and federal employment law compliance. She frequently consults and presents on emerging labor and employment laws and trends.

Throughout her legal career Jenna has maintained a focus on litigation. During law school, she served as a staff member for Volume 99 and managing editor for Volume 100 of the Minnesota Law Review. She also was a vice president and president of the Litigation and Trial Advocacy Group and a competing member on the University of Minnesota Law School’s Intercollegiate Mock Trial Team (placing first in the region). Jenna gained litigation and trial experience early in her legal career serving as a student-attorney at the Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office, an intern clerk for Hon. Marilyn B. Rosenbaum and Hon. Thomas S. Fraser, and a law clerk for a local law firm. She also served as a research assistant for Prof. Mark Kappelhoff and a volunteer for the Minnesota Justice Foundation.

Honors and Recognitions

• Minnesota Super Lawyers®, “Rising Stars” (2020-present)