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NJL People: Sara Lewenstein

Sara brings a wealth of experience in labor and employment law, skillfully guiding employers through a wide spectrum of complex matters, spanning from single-plaintiff cases to nationwide class action suits. Her experience lies in defending organizations against various types of employment litigation, including discrimination and retaliation claims under Title VII, FMLA, and ADA, state and federal whistleblower claims, as well as charges before the NLRB, EEOC, and other agencies.

Sara has developed a particularly deep understanding of matters affecting the education industry and provides counsel to private and public post-secondary and K-12 educational institutions, including compliance with FERPA, Title VI, Title IX, and the Clery Act.

In labor management relations, Sara offers her assistance to clients dealing with representation and decertification elections, and she adeptly defends against unfair labor practice claims.

When she’s not diligently managing client files, you may occasionally find Sara constructing elaborate Lego® structures. For instance, her office is home to a life-sized Lego typewriter with clickable keys, showcasing her creativity and attention to detail.

Key Practice Experience

Key Industry Experience

  • Education
  • Retail
  • Restaurant/Food Service
  • Health Care

Education

  • EEOC (Minneapolis Office) v. X University (Directed Investigation) – Defended university against a directed investigation alleging violations of the Equal Pay Act. Obtained a no probable cause finding.
  • Kovanic v. Univ. of Southern Indiana (N.D. Ind.) – successfully obtained summary judgment for University on claims of sex discrimination, religious discrimination, and retaliation under Title VII, claims of age discrimination, and unequal pay claims under the Equal Pay Act.
  • Vanegas v. Carleton College (D. Minn.) – provided substantial assistance in obtaining summary judgment of Minnesota common law negligence claim arising out of student expulsion for violating sexual misconduct policy. Prior to summary judgment, obtained dismissal of plaintiff’s other claims, including declaratory judgment claim that Carleton’s disciplinary process violated Title IX and regulations thereunder; a claim under Title IX for erroneous outcome from a flawed sexual misconduct disciplinary proceeding; and claims for race discrimination under Title VI and the MHRA.
  • Represented multiple universities in responding to Borrower Defense to Repayment claims.
  • Represented multiple universities in Department of Education Office for Civil Rights investigations.

Discrimination

  • Dubanoski v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (D. Minn.) – Obtained summary judgment on age and sex discrimination claims.
  • Webster v. Target Corp. (E.D. Mich.) – Obtained summary judgment on disability discrimination, race discrimination, and retaliation claims.
  • Mafuta v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (D. Minn.) – Obtained summary judgment on disability and religious discrimination claims.
  • Sable v. 6Smith – Obtained summary judgment in Minnesota state court on reprisal claim brought under Minnesota Human Rights Act.
  • Zhang v. UnitedHealth Health Group, Inc. et al. (W.D.N.C.) – Obtained dismissal of constitutional and tort claims and claims under the Equal Pay Act for lack of personal jurisdiction.
  • Myles v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (S.D. Iowa) – Successfully defended against motion for remand, allowing client to remain in federal court.

Labor

  • Successfully defended multiple employers against unfair labor practice charges before the NLRB.
  • Advised manufacturing client through union campaign and election process. Union ultimately withdrew petition for election.

Other

  • Claimant v. Fortune 500 Financial Institution (AAA Arbitration) – Obtained summary judgment for Fortune 500 financial institution in arbitration against claims of breach of oral contract.
  • After two-day arbitration, obtained complete victory for Fortune 500 financial, and insurance company in multi-million dollar breach of contract commissions dispute.
  • Blair et al. v. The Nature Conservancy, et al. (D. Minn.) – obtained partial dismissal of defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and false light claim. Later successfully opposed plaintiffs’ motion to amend complaint to replead negligent infliction of emotional distress claim. Successfully opposed plaintiffs’ motion to proceed pseudonymously.

Publications and Presentations

  • Presenter, “LGBT Employment Law Update,” Minnesota Lavender Bar Association Annual Conference, February 2026
  • Quoted in “Men Suing Uber, Lyft Over Women’s Safety Feature Bet on Novel Claim,” Bloomberg Law, Jan. 22, 2026
  • Quoted in “As More Workers Request Accommodations, How Should Workplaces React,” Fortune, Dec. 22, 2025
  • Author, “Motion in Limine Issues in Employment Litigation,” LexisNexis Practice Note, November 2025
  • Co-Presenter, “Workplace Harassment Case Update 2025 – Title VII Cases,” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, May 2025
  • Presenter, “Employment Basics,” MSBA Corporate Counsel Fall Institute, November 2024
  • Co-Presenter, “Employment Essentials for Nonprofits: 2024 Employment Law Update,” Minnesota CLE, October 2024
  • Quoted in “Atlanta VC firm ends business grant for Black women after discrimination lawsuit,” Atlanta Journal Constitution, September 2024
  • Presenter, “Sick and Safe Leave,” Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Workforce Compliance Series, July 2024
  • Author, “Is DEI Dead? The Future of DEI Efforts Post-Students for Fair Admissions,” Minnesota Women Lawyers, With Equal Right, Summer 2024
  • Presenter, “From College Admissions to Employer DEI Programs – A Discussion on the Reach of Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and UNC,” Minnesota Lavender Bar Association Annual Conference, February 2024
  • Presenter, “New Rules on Non-Compete Agreements and Other Developments in Minnesota Employment Law,” Minnesota CLE, Advising the Closely Held Business, February 2024
  • Presenter, “Private Sector Labor Law” and “Family and Medical Leave,” Minnesota CLE, Understanding Minnesota and Federal Labor and Employment Law, September 2023
  • Author, “Health plans that exclude gender-affirming care pose bigtime business risks,” ALM Benefits Pro, August 2023
  • Presenter, “Understanding the Implications of the Recent SCOTUS Affirmative Action Decision,” Webinar, Twin Cities Diversity in Practice, July 2023
  • Presenter, “2023 Race Discrimination Case Update—Takeaways from Recent Cases Plus Potential Impact of SCOTUS College Admissions,” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, May 2023
  • Presenter, “Developments in Whistleblowing,” Webinar, Lorman Education Services, July 2021
  • Presenter, “Employee Discipline for Conduct Outside of Work,” Webinar, Lorman Education Services, January 2021
  • Presenter, “Gender Bias and #MeToo: Complying with the Law,” CLE, October 2019
  • Co-author, “Summary Guide to Employment Privacy Law,” Minnesota CLE

Recognitions and Honors

  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Pathfinder and Atlas Award Winner, 2024
  • Selected to the Minnesota Rising Stars list (2023-26), published by Super Lawyers

Professional Associations

  • National Association of College and University Attorneys
  • Minnesota State Bar Association
  • Hennepin County Bar Association
  • Minnesota Lavender Bar Association

Community Engagement

  • LGBTQ+ Clinic Volunteer, Volunteer Lawyers Network
  • Criminal Expungement Clinic Volunteer, Volunteer Lawyers Network

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