Breaking the Ice: Litigator balances law career and Team USA bandy

Kelly Engebretson strives to stay ahead of the competition, working with her team to execute on strategy — both as a litigator in Cozen O’Connor’s Minneapolis office and as a member of USA Women’s Bandy National Team.

Engebretson discovered the sport of bandy during law school, embracing it as a way to continue playing competitive sports after competing in Division I hockey at Cornell University.

Described as field hockey on ice, bandy’s modern origins date to mid-1800s England, according to USA Bandy.

Since Engebretson joined Team USA in 2014, she has competed in world championships in Finland, Sweden, Norway and China.

“When you’re putting that USA emblem on your chest, you have to do your best,” Engebretson said. “To do that with teammates makes the experience even more special.”

Engebretson balances late-night, outdoor training sessions with her work helping clients with business and commercial matters. She credits her husband — they have two children and are expecting a third — with supporting her athletic endeavors and related logistics.

Name: Kelly Engebretson

Title: Member, Cozen O’Connor, Minneapolis

Education: B.S., industrial and labor relations, Cornell University; J.D., William Mitchell College of Law

Q: Best way to start a conversation with you?

A: I love talking about my family and travel, and, obviously, playing bandy.

Q: Why law school?

A: My grandfather was an attorney, and he was sort of my hero growing up in terms of having a successful career. He enjoyed solving people’s problems, and that was a big driver for me. I wanted to go to law school, to solve people’s problems, to have people come to me and look for my advice, and to do the best I could to get them the result that they were looking for.

Q: What are you reading?

A: My children are 2 and 4 years old, and we have a third on the way in August. Every night I read Sandra Boynton books, and then I promptly go to sleep.

Q: Best part of your work?

A: My co-workers. I enjoy where I work here in Minneapolis. We [Moss & Barnett] recently had the merger with Cozen, and they’ve been fantastic. I also get to fulfill that goal of helping clients solve their problems.

Q: Most challenging?

A: Having to be combative on a semi-regular basis to fight for your clients’ interests. It can be challenging when you’re trying to work collaboratively, and the other side doesn’t necessarily share the same view of where the case is headed and how to get there. I’ve had plenty of great relationships with opposing counsel. But there are times where it’s more combative, and that makes my work more challenging.

Q: Favorite activity away from work?

A: All things bandy. My family loves traveling. Going up north during the summer. Going overseas, whether it’s on a bandy trip or another adventure. Tropical places too. The kids go along. They’re great travelers.

Q: Where would you take someone visiting your hometown?

A: Where I grew up in Orono, there’s Baker Park, with about a 6-mile paved loop. I’ve roller-bladed that big loop more times than I could count. I’d take them there for a bike ride, roller blading or a walk.

Q: Legal figure you admire?

A: Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a beacon of excellence for females in the legal industry. Locally, I clerked for former [Minnesota Supreme Court] Justice Margaret Chutich. She was such a talented judge, and so good about making people feel heard.

Q: Misconception about your work?

A: When new clients don’t understand the pace of civil litigation and how long it can actually take to resolve a matter. A lot of that’s from seeing cases on TV shows and movies resolved in half an hour or two hours, when in reality it could take years.

Q: Favorite book, movie or TV show about lawyers?

A: I grew up watching “A Few Good Men.” My dad watched it so many times, and I’d sit in the living room with him. That dramatic court scene again is far from reality but still gripping.