Cassandra Pillonel
Chief Operating Officer
Cassandra Pillonel is the Chief Operating Officer of Harper Law Firm, a Texas-based personal injury firm distinguished by its client-first approach, commitment to ethical excellence, and culture of operational precision. With more than a decade of experience at the intersection of law, leadership, and business strategy, Cassandra has earned a reputation as both a legal operations visionary and a people-centered leader.
As COO, Cassandra oversees firmwide operations across finance, human resources, attorney development, marketing, and infrastructure. She is a strategic architect of the firm’s growth, translating vision into action through systems that scale and teams that thrive. Her role demands both granular attention to process and a sweeping view of the legal landscape—both of which she navigates with clarity, integrity, and purpose.
A licensed litigator in Texas and Arizona, Cassandra brings valuable courtroom experience to her executive role. Her background in litigation gives her a unique understanding of what’s at stake in each case—not just legally, but personally. This perspective grounds her leadership in empathy and informs the firm’s holistic approach to client advocacy.
Cassandra is a first-generation law school graduate who earned her J.D. from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and her M.A. in Humanities from The University of Texas at Dallas. Her academic background blends analytical rigor with a deep appreciation for storytelling and human complexity—qualities that influence everything from how she mentors junior attorneys to how she designs internal systems.
Beyond her operational responsibilities, Cassandra is passionate about building a legal workplace where people feel seen, supported, and inspired to lead. She champions growth, mentorship, and the advancement of women in law. As a board member of the Travis County Women Lawyers Association, she contributes actively to programs that empower professionals and foster professional community across the legal field.
Cassandra is also a multilingual global citizen—conversant in German, endlessly curious, and deeply committed to lifelong learning. She is known for bringing both intellectual agility and emotional intelligence to her work. Outside of the office, you’re likely to find her reading literature, experimenting in the kitchen, or walking alongside her beloved dog, Daphne (a rescue who quickly became family).
Driven by values, sustained by discipline, and guided by a profound respect for people, Cassandra Pillonel is helping redefine what thoughtful leadership looks like in the modern legal world.
