Kaarin Nelson
Kaarin is the founding partner of Nelson Schaffer, PLLC and a fierce advocate for her clients. She began her training as a trial lawyer right out of law school. Since that time, she has helped 100s of clients get successful results, spoken at conferences around the country, graduated from the most prestigious trial college in the country, and trains trial lawyers throughout the country. When you ask what makes Kaarin unique - the answer is clear. Kaarin is a trial lawyer and she is also kind. She is both aggressive and compassionate, making her a wonderful counselor and advisor. And because she is a trial lawyer and loves trying cases, she won’t encourage you to take a bad settlement or discourage you from pushing your case into litigation and trial if that is what is right for your case. She feels confident at every stage of the life of a case, so she will do what is absolutely right for you. She will fight for you.
Kaarin also understands that not everyone likes to litigate and try cases like she does. Just as she will not push you to settle your case, she also will not push you to go to trial if that is not right for you. Kaarin will listen and work with you to figure out the best possible outcome for you. Her focus is to be here for you.
Kaarin has been named a Minnesota Rising Star or Super Lawyer every year since 2014. She speaks regularly at employment related conferences as well as trial related conferences. She teaches trial attorneys all over the country, and Kaarin was recently named a Minnesota Attorney of the Year.
Cassie Navarro protects employee rights by representing individuals who have faced discrimination, retaliation, harassment, and unlawful drug and alcohol testing at work. She advises clients on employment, severance, and non-compete agreements, and works to negotiate more favorable terms with employers. Cassie also has experience litigating class action claims, including wage and hour violations.
Cassie has over a decade of experience working on Plaintiff’s employment claims. She was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 and has been recognized as a One to Watch by Best Lawyers since 2021. Cassie graduated summa cum laude from Mitchell Hamline College of Law.
Cassie Navarro
“From the very first phone call with Kaarin, I felt heard.
I know that may sound obvious…of course someone listens during a conversation, but this was different. Before finding Kaarin, I had spoken with other attorneys and individuals, and with many of them, I felt like I had to prove my pain or convince them that what I had experienced mattered. With Kaarin, I never felt that way. She understood. She listened with compassion, and from that very first conversation, she made me feel like my experiences and emotions were valid.
When I decided to choose Kaarin to represent me; I told her that I had a gut feeling that she was the person meant to represent me. And my gut was right…
Throughout the entire process, Kaarin continued to ensure I felt heard, respected, and supported. She has a rare ability to make you feel genuinely cared for. She doesn’t just represent her clients, she invests herself in their cases because she truly cares about the people behind them. That compassion combined with her knowledge and determination, makes her an incredibly fierce advocate who will fight to protect you.
My case involved discussion deeply traumatic and incredibly sensitive experiences. Kaarin was endlessly patient with me as we worked through those difficult conversations. There were moments when I struggled to find the words or needed time to process painful memories, and before I even had to say anything, she recognized it. She would step in, speak up on my behalf, and give me the space I needed to collect myself. That level of empathy is something I will never forget.
Kaarin is everything you could hope for in an employment attorney. She is intelligent, compassionate, patient, and unwavering in her advocacy. During one of the most difficult times in my life, she made sure I never felt alone. I will always be grateful for the care, strength, and dedication she showed me. If you’re looking for someone who will not only fight for your rights but also truly care about you as a person, I cannot recommend Kaarin highly enough.”
-GP
“Kaarin’s name came to me on accident while I was desperately searching for someone to help me with an employment issue - and it made all the difference. From our first conversation she listened, asked great questions, and then listened more. She appreciated my view and always took the time to give me hope to hang on until the end. She was patient, efficient and personable. I recommend her for any employment issue that you have and encourage you to remain vigilant in what you believe but hire Kaarin to protect you and keep you on track.”
Former Client
“Kaarin was amazing. I was in a dark spot in my life and losing my job was devastating. I needed legal help and I also needed someone to listen to me. Kaarin did both. She was so aggressive about my case but so patient and understanding with me. She supported me when nobody else would.”
Former Client