Overview

Jessica is a partner in the firm’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice. Jessica’s practice involves litigation in state and federal courts, mediation, arbitration, and internal investigations. Jessica’s trial and case experience arises out of a variety of business and financial concerns, including energy industry litigation, securities litigation, banking litigation, shareholder claims, failed business transactions, failed companies, business torts, commercial contract disputes, directors’ and officers’ liability, commercial real estate disputes, bankruptcy and restructuring litigation, regulatory issues, and internal investigations for publicly traded companies.

In 2016, Jessica was selected by the Houston Business Journal as a recipient of its annual “40 Under 40” award, and she was named as a Rising Star by Texas Super Lawyers in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 for her commercial litigation experience.

Jessica is co-chair of the firm’s pro bono Asylum practice, a member of the firm’s U.S. pro bono committee, and a member of the firm’s litigation training committee. Jessica also serves in leadership roles in multiple community and non-profit organizations. She is currently a member of: the Advisory Board of Tahirih, a national non-profit that provides pro bono legal assistance to immigrant women fleeing gender-based violence; the Houston Chapter of the NAACP’s Legal Redress Committee; the Houston Museum of Natural Science Catalysts Steering Committee; and the Houston Pro Bono Network's Planning Committee.

Jessica received her JD from the University of Houston Law Center, Magna Cum Laude, and her BS in journalism from Texas A&M University, where she was the Editor-in-Chief of her university daily newspaper, The Battalion.

Areas of Focus

Practices
Industries

Spoken Languages

  • English

Experience

Representations that are public or can be disclosed include the following selection of matters in Joint Ventures & Strategic Alliances; Litigation & Dispute Resolution; Energy; and Restructuring, Bankruptcy, & Insolvency

  • Represented ATP in one of the largest offshore exploration and production company bankruptcies, involving more than $3 billion in energy assets, in In re ATP Oil & Gas Corporation, in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, along with the related adversary proceedings.
  • Represented Korean steel manufacturer in federal court litigation arising from alleged breach of a distributorship agreement for oilfield tubular.
  • Represented investment banking arm of multi-national financial services institution in federal court litigation brought by bankruptcy trustee of failed oil and gas exploration company, arising from alleged breaches of duties in connection with a fairness opinion rendered in a $50+ million secured financing.
  • Represented oil and gas drilling tools and services company in federal court litigation arising from alleged joint venture with Middle Eastern company.  
  • Represented multiple commercial landlords in state court litigation and pre-litigation contract disputes with commercial tenants.
  • Represented private client in litigation to locate and seek recovery of $25+ million of fraudulently transferred funds.
  • Represented Chinese shipowners on Fifth Circuit appeal in seminal litigation limiting shipowner liability under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.
  • Pro bono representation of multiple asylum applicants from West Africa and Central America fleeing violence based upon their gender, ethnicity, religious orientation, and/or political beliefs.
  • In connection with The List Project, pro bono representation in immigration proceedings of Iraqi citizens who assisted U.S. military ground forces in the Iraq War.

News

Education

The University of Houston Law Center, JD, magna cum laude
Articles Editor, Houston Law Review

Texas A&M University, BS
Editor-in-Chief, The Battalion, Texas A&M University student newspaper

Admissions

  • Texas

Court

  • US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • US District Court for the Southern District of Texas

Activities

  • Tahirih Advisory Board, Member, 2012 – present
  • Tahirih Gala Committee, Member, 2012 – present
  • Houston Museum of Natural Science Catalysts Steering Committee, 2017
  • NAACP Legal Redress Committee, 2017
  • Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow, 2014 – present
  • Houston Young Lawyers Foundation, Fellow, 2016 – present
  • University of Houston Law Center Alumni Association, 2013 – present
  • Houston READ Commission Advisory Board, Member, Oct. 2010-Dec. 2011
  • Houston READ Commission 2010 Great Grown-up Spelling Bee, Chair
  • Houston Bar Association (Lawyers for Literacy Committee, Member, 2009-2011; Gender Fairness Committee, 2009-2010; Gender Fairness Judicial Panel Networking Luncheon, Co-Chair, 2010)