Jessica L. Watkins

Jessica Watkins represents clients in commercial litigation and professional liability disputes, which includes counseling clients on risk management and representing professionals before disciplinary agencies. In addition to defending long-term care facilities and medical professionals, she also helps clients navigate the legal aspects of construction services. Jessica also handles personal injury, automobile negligence, and Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act matters.

Experienced in all aspects of the litigation process, Jessica ensures her clients are informed throughout, from a case's inception to fact-witness depositions and trial preparation.

Prior to joining Hinshaw as an associate, Jessica was a law clerk with the firm. During law school, she worked as a 711-licensed intern in the Legal Department of Metra Commuter Rail, and served as a student attorney in the Housing and Community Development Legal Clinic. Jessica was also a judicial intern to the Honorable Jacqueline P. Cox, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Illinois and a judicial extern to the Honorable Allen P. Walker, Circuit Court of Cook County, Chancery Division, Mortgage Foreclosure Section.

• Black Women Lawyers' Association of Greater Chicago, Inc.
  • Judicial Evaluation Committee, Co-Chair, 2017 – 2018
• Chicago Bar Association
• Young Lawyer Section
  • Professional Responsibility Committee, Legislative Liaison, 2017 – 2018

• Moderator, "The Balancing Act: Client Advocacy and Professionalism During Litigation," Chicago, Illinois, February 20, 2019
• "BOSS and Claver Society College Perspectives Panel," St. Ignatius College Prep's Annual College Perspectives Panel, Chicago, Illinois, November 12, 2018
• Co-Presenter, "To-Do List for the Ethical Practice of Law," Chicago Bar Association – Young Lawyers Section, Professional Responsibility Committee, Chicago, Illinois, September 5, 2018
• "Career Insights for High School Students: Becoming an Attorney," Al Raby School of Community and Environment Career Day, Chicago, Illinois, April 27, 2018
• "Inadvertent Disclosure of Privileged Information," Chicago Bar Association – Young Lawyers Section, Professional Responsibility Committee Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, November 17, 2016

• South Side YMCA of Metro Chicago, Board of Directors
• Lawyers in the Classroom, Volunteer
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Member
• Wisconsin Alumni Association, Member
• Saint Ignatius College Prep Young Alumni Society, Member