A lifelong resident of central Iowa, Jessica obtained her bachelor’s degree at Grandview University before attending law school at Drake University in Des Moines and was admitted to the Iowa Bar in 2004. After four years representing children involved in the court system for a nonprofit organization, Jessica entered private practice in 2009 and has gained experience in civil and domestic litigation, guardianship proceedings, and criminal defense. She has continued to focus primarily on child custody matters and criminal defense work, as well as adoptions and appellate advocacy.

A peak career moment came in 2021 when Jessica accepted a court appointment for a defendant charged with first degree murder and trial less than two weeks away. Their client was acquitted by a jury.  Jessica is also credited with resolving numerous criminal cases with dismissals or convictions to drastically reduced offenses.
Apart from her criminal defense practice, Jessica has found success in the appellate courts by obtaining re-sentencing hearings for defendants and briefing a case where the Iowa Supreme Court removed the Department of Health and Human Services as guardian of children whose parents had lost their parental rights.

Jessica is also a member of the C. Edwin Moore Inn of Court, and the Iowa Association of Justice.