Jessica counsels and represents insurers in connection with complex coverage issues.  She counsels insurers on a broad range of first- and third-party liability insurance coverage issues, including under general liability policies and with respect to cyber exposures such as privacy liability, data loss, network security breaches, and business interruption.  Jessica also counsels insurers on matters arising under a broad range of professional liability policies, including directors and officers, lawyers, errors and omissions, media, software, and technology.  Additionally, she has substantial experience representing insurers in connection with matters involving environmental torts and excess/umbrella insurance.

Jessica represents insurers in coverage litigation in state and federal courts across the country, including matters involving bad faith disputes and extra-contractual damages.  She has written amici briefs on behalf of insurance trade associations in complex and high-profile insurance coverage cases nationwide.  Her litigation experience also includes representing clients in civil and commercial litigation such as medical malpractice, legal malpractice, workplace torts, products liability, catastrophic personal injury, and wrongful death claims.  

Jessica began her legal career at Wiley Rein, LLP, in Washington, D.C., where she practiced in the firm’s insurance coverage group.  Prior to joining Roberts Tate, Jessica served as elections attorney for the State of Tennessee.  During some of the most publicized and contentious years in U.S. elections history, she counseled the state and the local county election commissions on a wide variety of legal issues including accessibility of polling locations, military and overseas voters, restoration of voting rights, legislation affecting elections, and data confidentiality.  In her role as elections attorney, Jessica also served as chairman of the state regulatory agency for elected county highway officials.  Additionally, she represented the Elections Division in multiple news interviews, media requests, public informational videos, and training sessions – including a webinar on best practices created by the Elections Assistance Commission for training other jurisdictions nationwide. 

Jessica graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree, with Honors, summa cum laude, from Samford University. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law.  Jessica is admitted to practice law in state and federal courts in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Tennessee. She is an active member of the Tennessee Bar Association, where she is on the board of the Young Lawyers’ Division; the Nashville Bar Association; and the Lawyers’ Association for Women Marion Griffin Chapter, where she is a first-year director and executive board member.

Jessica is on the Board of Directors for We Are Building Lives, a local nonprofit dedicated to providing veterans with affordable housing, guidance counseling, and job assistance. She also is on the local Samford University Young Alumni Board, previously serving as chair of the membership and nominating committee. 

EDUCATION

J.D., University of Virginia School of Law

B.A., Samford University

BAR AND COURT MEMBERSHIPS

• District of Columbia Bar
• Maryland Bar
• Tennessee Bar
• U.S. District Courts for the District of Maryland and Middle and Western Districts of Tennessee

AFFILIATIONS

• Tennessee Bar Association (TBA)
  • Board Member, Young Lawyers’ Division
• Nashville Bar Association (NBA)
• Lawyers’ Association for Women Marion Griffin Chapter
  • Executive Board Member
  • First-Year Director