Pushing back against authoritarianism and promoting democracy were not on her list of career goals when Karianne Jones ’15 graduated from Minnesota Law. But she has met the moment repeatedly during her career, jumping in even when it’s risky and fighting when she believes in a mission.
Jones left a big-firm job in Washington, D.C., to join Democracy Forward in 2017 at the onset of President Donald Trump’s first term. As a litigator, Jones advocated on behalf of paralyzed veterans, immigrants, school children, and others who were affected by changes to programs and legal protections.
These days, Jones is doing similar advocacy as a partner at Evergreen Legal Strategies, a D.C. firm that she helped launch. She didn’t hesitate in early 2025 when a former Democracy Forward co-worker asked Jones if she wanted to help him start Evergreen Legal—a new arm of an existing policy and communications shop called Evergreen Strategy Group. Together, these sister organizations provide a one-stop shop and aim to be a multiplier in the democracy movement as it brings assertive legal tactics to the fore.
Jones, who describes herself as competitive, scrappy, and creative, shines when using her skills to advance a purpose she believes in. “It’s interesting work, it’s meaningful work, and it’s tiring work,” she says. “But I am very lucky that I have been able to spend my career using my law degree to fight back against attacks on the rule of law, attacks on democratic processes, and the slide into authoritarianism that we’re seeing.”
In between these two roles, Jones served as assistant general counsel in the Biden White House Office of Management and Budget and as litigation counsel for the Biden and Harris campaigns. She values the inside perspective she gained from working in the Executive Branch, mainly with the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, on strategy building, executing those plans, and engaging in regulatory work properly to prevent litigation.
During the 2024 election cycle, Jones managed all litigation that involved the President or Vice President in their personal capacities, their campaigns, or the Democratic National Committee. The role of litigation counsel for a campaign is relatively new, Jones says. But it plays an increasingly important part of the election cycle as campaigns have become more fertile environments for litigation.
Jones thrives in the fast-paced, all-hands-on-deck effort of a presidential campaign, and she hasn’t sworn off getting involved in others in the future. “Many people look at me like I’m crazy, and I look at myself like I’m a little bit crazy, too. But I would do it again if I had the opportunity. I have to win one,” she says. “I’m excited about the party and the future of the country and ensuring that it moves in a direction that’s in line with my values.”
Today, Jones is bringing together all of these experiences at Evergreen Legal. She helped shape the firm as it developed its novel approach to meld expertise in law, strategy, policy, and communications into an integrated fighting force.
“It’s really trying to forge new weapons, so to speak, in the fight against authoritarianism—to really prove that going on the offensive is politically advantageous and a crucial piece of the fight if we’re going to win,” Jones says. “If Evergreen Legal can participate in being a proof-of-concept and also encourage and lift up others to do that work, that would be a meaningful success for me.”
In its first year, Evergreen has focused on topics like immigration, gun violence prevention issues, election law and voting rights, defamation, and the Federal Tort Claims Act. Its first action was to file an amicus brief supporting Rochester, New York, in a federal case that challenges its sanctuary city policies. Evergreen’s election work includes legal issues related to the out-of-cycle redistricting work across the country, efforts to restrict voting rights related to mail-in ballots and immigration status, and the role of poll monitors. The firm strives to monitor and take action on matters as they unfold, while also preparing contingency plans and proactive responses for potential legal issues.
When Jones decided to pursue a legal career, she sought to make a tangible difference in shaping the future she wants to see. Working in politics, government, or adjacent legal work really wasn’t on her radar. But Minnesota Law exposed her to opportunities in Washington, including an internship and then roles at appellate and Supreme Court litigation firms. “Never in a million years, growing up in a tiny town in East Texas, did I think I’d have a career in politics or government-facing legal work,” she says.
Even so, Jones couldn’t be happier with the path her career has taken. “This work is incredibly rewarding. We’re in a new era, and democracy is on the line. It’s important that people don’t bury their heads in the sand and stand up and show courage. That’s what we’re doing at Evergreen,” she says. “It can be disappointing and disheartening to see what seems like our failing system, but I try to remember why I’m doing the work and feel grateful for the opportunity to do it.”