Biography
Jessica specializes in toxic tort insurance defense, representing defendants accused of selling asbestos-containing components. She provides legal counsel to equipment and friction manufacturers, as well as retailers. Her work includes leading a team of attorneys and paralegals in managing discovery and trial preparation for high-volume, document-intensive cases.
Beyond asbestos litigation, Jessica handles product liability, motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, labor law injuries, coverage disputes, and dog bite claims. She has tried several New York State Supreme Court bench and jury trials to successful verdicts.
Jessica also serves as an Attorney for the Child and represents parents in custody, visitation, and neglect/abuse cases in Family Court, where her decades of experience has resulted in extensive trial opportunities. She reviews each case carefully, identifying potential challenges early and preparing for trial while prioritizing cost-effective resolutions. Detail-oriented and strategic, she balances the specifics with broader legal objectives.
In her spare time, Jessica teaches ballet and has coordinated groups of high school dancers to perform at the Walt Disney World Resort.
Education
- University at Buffalo Law School (J.D.)
- Canisius College (B.S.)
- Nichols School
Bar Admissions
Courts
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of New York
Professional Affiliations
- Association of Defense Trial Attorneys (2019-present)
- Vice Marketing Chair
- Bar Association of the Tonawandas (2003-present)
- Past-President
- Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (2015-2018)
- DRI (2008-present)
- National Marketing Chair for Asbestos Medicine Conference
- Young Lawyers
- Social Media Steering Committe Co-Chair (2012-2013)
- Social Media Steering Committe Co-Vice-Chair (2011-2012)
- Erie County Bar Association (2003-present)
- New York State Bar Association (2003-present)
- Niagra County Bar Association
Honors
- Upstate New York Super Lawyers (2020-2025)
- Upstate New York Super Lawyers, Rising Star (2014-2017)
Presentations
- "Swimming with the Shark: Deposition Techniques on Topics of Smoking, OSHA, and State of the Art," DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar, Boston (November 2019)
- "Good, Bad, and in Between: New Literature Highlights," DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar, Austin (November 2018)
- "Motions for Preference and Choice of Law Issues," DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar, Las Vegas (November 2017)
- DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar, San Francisco (November 2014)
- DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar, New Orleans (November 2013)
- DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar, Las Vegas (November 2011)