Jenny Olson, Partner, TSR Injury Law

What are the biggest challenges you currently see in personal injury law?

First is a growing lack of empathy. It’s not malicious in any way. As life gets harder and more stressful, people have to save their energy and empathy for their inner circle. They just don’t have the energy to “feel” what other people are going through, let alone be compelled to make sure there is justice.

Second, is that insurance companies are able to collect costs from an injured person if a jury awards less than a Rule 68 Offer. If anyone wants to know why civil trials are down, this is why.

What advice would you give a client to avoid legal complications in a personal injury case?

Insurance companies have done a good job making people feel guilty for getting help from an attorney and making a claim after they have been injured. My advice to anyone who has been injured is don’t feel guilty. Too many people come to me for help long after a collision dealing with chronic issues and say they didn’t seek help initially because they felt bad.

Without revealing the names of a client, what is the most interesting case you’ve worked on lately?

All of my cases are genuinely interesting. My practice primarily focuses on litigation, and I have cases running the spectrum of auto crashes, ski hill accidents, sexual assault cases, medical malpractice and insurance coverage cases.

How do you manage work/life balance?

Honestly, I’m not a big work/life balance person. I work a lot, but I love my work. I just make sure I always show up for friends and family in a way that they know even though I work a lot, they are a priority, and everything falls into place from there.

What is one thing you would change about Minnesota if you could?

On the legal side, I would make Minnesota a direct action state. It’s so silly that we can’t sue the insurance company directly.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

I love live funk music. I’m a big nerd and love listening to all of the state and federal appellate oral arguments. I also have a 5-year-old niece and 2-year-old nephew and being their aunt is my favorite thing in the whole wide world.