Jessica is a senior associate in the firm’s Litigation Department where she handles commercial and business litigation for major corporations, family businesses, and individuals.  She has experience in all phases of litigation including jury trials, bench trials, and alternative dispute resolution proceedings.  Some of her recent cases have included legal issues involving business torts, non-competition agreements, misappropriation of trade secrets, securitization of commercial mortgages, breaches of commercial contracts, employment discrimination, and insurance coverage disputes.  Because of her vast practical experience at the trial court level, as well as her skill at legal research and writing, Jessica also handles civil and criminal appeals in both state and federal court.

Representative Matters:

• Representation of an Ohio-based diamond dealer in federal court against an international, New York-based diamond manufacturer and distributor and one of the largest De Beers sightholders in the country, resulting in unanimous multi-million dollar jury verdict.
• Representation of a Trustee in federal court in commercial mortgage-backed security litigation against LaSalle Bank National Association, resulting in a unanimous jury verdict for the Trustee.

Prior to joining the firm, Jessica served as Staff Attorney to the Honorable John W. Kessler, Presiding Judge, Montgomery County Common Pleas Court.  Her past legal experience also includes working as a litigation contract attorney at a major law firm in Cleveland, Ohio; serving as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Wood County, West Virginia; and clerking for two trial court Judges in Marion County, West Virginia.

Jessica is a graduate of West Virginia University and the West Virginia University College of Law.  She received her J.D., with honors, in May 2001 and was admitted to the West Virginia Bar in October 2001.  After practicing in West Virginia for two years she moved to Ohio and was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 2004.

Outside of work, Jessica spends most of her time with her husband Chuck, her amazing son Andrew, and their English Mastiff, Harrigan. Her other interests include travel, gardening, and running – both as a stress reliever and so she can enjoy her other hobbies –cooking and baking.