Practice Areas
Family Law
Commercial Litigation
Construction Litigation
Collaborative Law
Practice Emphasis
Jessica has a diverse trial practice that focuses on family law and business litigation. She has extensive experience in handling family law cases, including divorce, child custody, asset division, property and business valuation, paternity, financial support and many other issues that arise in a family law context. Jessica has tried many family cases as well as worked with her clients to resolve cases outside the courtroom. She has worked to resolve numerous complex property issues involving compensation packages, retirement benefits, stock and stock options as well as dividing closely held businesses.
In addition to her family law practice, Jessica handles numerous cases for corporate clients. Her list of representative clients includes AT&T, NCI and Metal Roof Innovations. Jessica has considerable experience with breach of contract, fraud, and patent infringement claims as well as cases involving product defects and building problems.
Because of her experience in these two diverse areas, Jessica is uniquely qualified to represent individuals on very personal matters by providing them with a business perspective that her family law clients appreciate and respect. She also brings a unique breadth of experience to her business clients. Her family law background allows her to work with corporate clients with a level of personal understanding about what litigation problems and cases actually mean to a company and its employees that most corporate lawyers do not possess. In addition, because of her family law background, Jessica has had an opportunity to try a variety of cases both to a judge and to a jury such that she finds she has far more courtroom experience than her adversaries in business cases.
Education and Certifications
J.D., Texas Tech University School of Law (1995)
- Quarter-Finalist, National Mock Trial, 1995
- Champion, American Bar Association (ABA) National Moot Court Competition, 1994
- Best Oralist, ABA National Moot Court Competition, 1994
B.A., Trinity University (1991)
- Speech and Economics
- Mathematics (minor)
Prior Work Experience
Partner, Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP, Dallas (2004-2008) Trial Section
Associate, Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP, Dallas (1995-2004) Trial Section
Admissions
- All Texas State Courts
- Northern District of Texas
- Western District of Texas
Professional Memberships
- Member, State Bar of Texas
- Member, Dallas Bar Association
- Member, College of the State Bar of Texas
- Member, Texas Family Law Foundation
Professional Achievements
- Recognized, “Best Lawyers in America,” in Family Law
- Recognized, "Texas Super Lawyers," Thomson Reuters as published in Texas Monthly Magazine
- Recognized, "Texas Rising Stars," Thomson Reuters as published in Texas Monthly Magazine
Community Activities
- KIPP DFW, Member, Board of Directors (2011-present)
- Rainbow Days, Inc., Executive Board of Directors (2003-2009)
- President, Executive Board of Directors (2007-2009)
- Texas Business Hall of Fame Foundation, Board of Directors (2007-2013)
- President and Chairperson, Board of Directors (2011)
- Texas Tech Law School, Board of Directors (2008-present)
News Releases
- Taber Estes Thorne & Carr Home to Two Texas Super Lawyers Honorees – 09/2011
- Dallas Law Firm Taber Estes Thorne & Carr Sponsors – 04/2010
In the News
- Breaking the mold – Dallas Business Journal – 05/2010
- Legal Service With A Twist – Dallas Business Journal – 03/2010
- The Good Ol' Girls Club – D Magazine – 05/2008
Attorney Client Comments