Jessica focuses her practice on the defense of insurance clients and employers in workers' compensation matters. She joined the firm with extensive workers' compensation defense experience, having appeared before the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission representing employers and insurance companies across the state. Jessica has also spoken with businesses directly to help assist in their understanding of the Workers' Compensation system, as well as the handling of claims within their business. 

Jessica is a member of the Workers' Compensation Lawyers' Association, Peoria County Bar Association, and Illinois State Bar Association. She is a past treasurer and vice-president of the Tazewell County Bar Association and former Tazewell County Assistant State's Attorney. As an ASA, Jessica appeared before Judges in the 10th Circuit, handling matters ranging from petty offenses to felonies.

Jessica is a 2009 graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law, where she concentrated her studies in employment and labor law, taxation, and business transactions. She is a 2006 graduate of Duquesne University, graduating magna cum laude, with a B.S. in political science, psychology, and sociology.

• “Bonuses and Calculation of Average Weekly Wage,” Below the Red Line - Heyl Royster Workers' Compensation Newsletter (2022) – Read Article
• “The Traveling Employee—Is the ‘Reasonable and Foreseeable’ Standard Eroding?,” Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly (2018) - Download Article
• “A Primer on Credits,” Below the Red Line - Heyl Royster Workers' Compensation Newsletter (2017)
• "It's No Accident: The Illinois Workers' Compensation Act's Exclusivity Provisions Can Bar Civil Intentional Act Tort Claim Where Workers' Compensation Benefits Are Awarded," Heyl Royster Workers' Compensation E-Clip (2016) - Read Article
• "Temporary Transitional Employment - A New Trend on the Horizon," Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly (2015) - Download Article

• “Understanding Workers’ Compensation”
  Society for Human Resource Management Seminar 2022
• “Workers’ Compensation for Human Resources”
  Society for Human Resource Management Seminar 2022
• “Case Law Update”
  Peoria County Bar Association 2020
• “Vocational Rehabilitation and Return To Work In The COVID-19 Age”
  Heyl Royster WC Webinar Series 2020
• “COVID-19 Employment Issues”
  Illinois Association of County Board Members 2020
• “Case Law Update”
  Heyl Royster’s 33rd Annual Claims Handling Seminar 2018
• “Logistics of Surveillance”
  Greater Peoria Claims Association 2017
• “Getting Back in the Game: Vocational Rehabilitation”
  Heyl Royster's 32nd Annual Claims Handling Seminar 2017
• “Defending Your Company Before and After a Lawsuit or Claim is Filed”
  Mid-West Truck & Trailer Show 2017
• “Temporary Transitional Employment”
  Heyl Royster's 31st Annual Claims Handling Seminar 2016
• “Illinois Workers’ Compensation – Back to Basics”
  Mid-West Truck & Trailer Show, Peoria 2016

• Named to Law Bulletin Publishing Company's list of Illinois Emerging Lawyers (2018-2021). Only two percent of Illinois lawyers under the age of 40 or who have been licensed to practice for 10 years or less earn this distinction.

• Tazewell County Bar Association (Vice President, 2011-2012; Treasurer 2010-2011)
• Peoria County Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association
• Workers' Compensation Lawyers Association
• Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel 

•  State Courts of Illinois