Her clients are in the private and public sectors. Jess guides teams in the development and execution of strategies to achieve the most favorable outcomes, greatest protection of reputational interests, and diminution of harm to business assets. As a media-savvy lawyer, Jess also has the experience to effectively create, implement, and manage prompt and effective crisis communication strategies to address any situation.
Jess has served as an expert witness in both state and federal courts on issues involving financial fraud, legal ethics, bankruptcy and business valuations, and forensic science integrity. She publishes extensively, including the leading authority on lending: the Treatise on Lender Liability. Jess is a frequent television and print media contributor, and has been featured on SundanceTV, PBS, CNN, MSNBC, ABC, NPR, TruTV, and other news outlets. Her pro bono cases have been the subject of several true-crime podcasts. Jess also has lectured throughout the world on business law, bankruptcy, complex evidence, white collar crime, and trial strategy.
Before joining Krevolin & Horst, Jess was a tenured, full professor at Georgia State University College of Law, teaching courses on evidence, contracts, bankruptcy, and scientific evidence. Jess also served as GSU Law’s academic dean, where she pioneered the use of technology in legal education, created flagship programs, and oversaw the operations of a highly respected institution.
Jess has received several awards for excellence in teaching, scholarship, and public service from Georgia State University, the American Bar Association, the American Bankruptcy Institute, and the University of Miami. She was named a “Rising Star” by the Fulton County Daily Report, and GSU selected her as its inaugural “Women Inspire” lecturer.
Jess attended law school at the University of Miami School of Law, graduating magna cum laude. While there, Jess co-founded the school’s Wrongful Convictions Project and served as its executive director while still a student. After law school, Jess clerked for the Honorable Peter T. Fay on the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and practiced in the litigation group of a large firm in San Francisco, California.
Beyond her legal practice, Jess enjoys spending time with her husband and trying to keep up with her twin boys.