JESSICA L. WILKERSON
PO Box 4041, Helena,MT
Summary
Accomplished Attorney offering ten-year record of supporting clients in numerous legal matters. Communicates clearly and effectively with clients, stakeholders, opposing counsel, jurors and judges. Adept at developing lasting professional relationships.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Staff Attorney - Federal Superfund
Montana Department Of Environmental Quality
09.2018 - Current
- Guided program team to coordinate on State’s consultative role at numerous Federal Superfund sites
- Reviewed Construction Bid Packages and related contracts
- Navigated complex bankruptcy litigation to successful settlement
Staff Attorney
Montana Legal Services Association, Domestic Violence and Indian Law Practice Groups
01.2015 - 09.2018
- Represented low-income clients throughout the state in family law cases in which domestic violence was present and identified impact cases for state-wide effects.
- Provided direct services to clients in the Fort Belknap Indian Community and supervised local advocates in the Blackfeet and Chippewa Cree Indian Communities.
- Worked cooperatively with staff and other attorneys to achieve organizational objectives.
- Provided limited scope representation counseling to provide clients cost-effective legal assistance.
- Conducted intake interviews and provided legal information, referrals and advocacy to determine potential courses of action.
Assistant Public Defender
Montana Office Of The Public Defender
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Represented indigent clients in felony, misdemeanor, youth in need of care, involuntary commitment, juvenile justice, and guardianship cases.
- Assessed cases for probable outcomes by researching black letter law and other legal authority, comparing fact patterns to those of precedential cases.
- Supported and represented indigent clients out-of-court, in-court and post-trial.
Legal Intern
New Mexico Environmental Law Center
09.2012 - 12.2012
- Gained valuable insight into regulations and policies associated with environmental and Indian law.
- Took part in meetings both internal and at clients' locations.
Education
Juris Doctor - Masters of Environmental Law And Policy
- Erin Wooley Scholarship Recipient
- Honorable Christina Reiss Scholarship Recipient
- Awarded Maximillian Kempner Award
- Awarded Phenomenal Woman Award
- Extracurricular Activities: Law Students for Reproductive Justice, Moot Court Advisory Board
- Elected to President for Student Bar Association in 2011
Bachelor of Science - Natural Sciences Biology
- Awarded Yumi Kuwaji Outstanding Woman Award
- Study Abroad: Arusha, Tanzania
- Honors
Skills
- Client Representation
- Environmental Laws
- Contract Negotiation
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Case Interpretation
- Family Law
- Criminal Defense
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Immigration Law
Licenses to practice:
- State Bar of Montana
- United States District Court, District of Montana
- Blackfeet Tribal Court
- Fort Belknap Indian Community Bar
- Chippewa-Cree Tribal Court
Timeline
Staff Attorney - Federal Superfund - Montana Department Of Environmental Quality
09.2018 - Current
Staff Attorney - Montana Legal Services Association, Domestic Violence and Indian Law Practice Groups
01.2015 - 09.2018
Assistant Public Defender - Montana Office Of The Public Defender
01.2013 - 01.2015
Legal Intern - New Mexico Environmental Law Center
09.2012 - 12.2012
Vermont Law School - Juris Doctor, Masters of Environmental Law And Policy
University of Puget Sound - Bachelor of Science, Natural Sciences Biology
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