Jessica is an advocate who loves justice. She secured a jury verdict in favor of an international manufacturing company accused of race discrimination in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas and upheld the verdict in the Fifth Circuit. She also won a $2.4 Million jury verdict for a small business owner in a non-compete case.  The client spent his life savings to buy a business, and the seller immediately set up a competing business.  Jessica regularly represents clients in injunction hearings when an employee departs and there is an issue of taking confidential information.

Jessica understands one-size does not fit all.  She works closely with clients to create a plan that works to achieve their desired result.  She navigates all aspects of employment law, including payroll deductions, garnishments, disability accommodations, leave, hiring, firing, discipline, job descriptions, and Department of Labor audits, and FLSA collective actions.

Jessica has argued in the Texas and California Supreme Courts and their lower courts of appeal. She has also handled appeals in the 5th, 7th, 9th, and 10th Federal Circuit Courts of Appeals.  She is versed in special appearance issues for foreign corporations who reside outside of the U.S., and has successfully had cases dismissed against German and French companies.

Jessica has assisted clients in construction, healthcare, manufacturing, technology, retail, and restaurant industries. In addition, she has also represented music artists and drafted and negotiated recording, publishing, producer and licensing agreements with Universal Records, Warner Chappell, EMI, Hasbro, and MTV.

Jessica comes from a family of small business owners. She will take the time to understand your business as if it were her own.

Education

Rice University, B.A. 1999

SMU Dedman School of Law, J.D., with honors 2002