Jessica’s legal practice is focused on representing clients in issues related to labor and employment law. Her experience includes handling cases involving discrimination and harassment based on various protected classes, including race, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, disability and age. She also handles cases involving retaliation, wrongful termination, leave and accommodation issues. Jessica counsels and defends employers in a broad range of employment matters in Illinois and federal courts and in administrative proceedings before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Illinois Department of Human Rights.

Jessica regularly works with clients on cost-effective and practical strategies to reduce the risk of employment litigation by drafting employment handbooks, policies and agreements, overseeing personnel management (hiring, discipline and termination), and general compliance with employment statutes.

Jessica has been recognized by Super Lawyers and Leading Lawyers as a leading practitioner in the practice area of employment and labor.

In her free time, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and traveling.

• Education:

  • J.D., Suffolk University Law School, Boston, Massachusetts, 2008
  • B.A., Political Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 2005

• Seminars & Presentations:

  • “Labor and Employment Law 101,” May 2025
  • “Examples of Employer Do’s & Don’ts,” January 2024
  • “Responding to Internal Employee Complaints: Conducting Workplace Investigations,” June 2021
  • “Discrimination & Harassment Prevention Training,” December 2020
  • “Common Employer Mistakes,” Downey & Lenkov Clients, October 2020
  • “Construction Industry COVID-19 Return-to-Work Issues,” July 2020
  • “Reopening Your Business Amid COVID-19,” July 2020
  • “How Architects Can Reduce Legal Risks in a COVID-19 Environment,” Association of Licensed Architects, June 2020
  • “Mini Law School For HR Professionals,” National Business Institute, May 2020
    • “Employee Handbooks and Policies in the 21st Century,” National Business Institute, May 2020
    • “Discipline and Discharge Issues: Necessary Documentation,” National Business Institute, May 2020
    • “Workplace Behavior and Privacy: Current Developments,” National Business Institute, May 2020
  • “Construction Industry Liability Issues Arising Out of COVID-19,” April 2020
  • “COVID-19 – What Employers Need to Know,” April 2020

• Articles & Publications:

  • “Changes to Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act”, Labor and Employment Newsletter, October 2025
  • “Falling Back, Staying Compliant: Timekeeping Tips for Employers This Season,” Labor and Employment Newsletter, October 2025
  • “Illinois Workplace Transparency Act: Harsher Restrictions Ahead for 2026 Overview,” Labor and Employment Newsletter, October 2025
  • “Illinois Enacts Military Leave Act, Expanding Protections and Adding Paid Funeral Honors Leave,” Labor and Employment Newsletter, October 2025
  • “Vaccine Verdict: Jury Awards $425K to Ex-CTA Worker in Religious Bias Case,” Downey & Lenkov Labor and Employment Newsletter, October 2025
  • “Illinois Shifts Fact-Finding Process, Adds New Fines for Employers Under IHRA,” Downey & Lenkov Labor and Employment Newsletter, October 2025
  • “DOL Issues Guidance on Independent Contractor Misclassification Enforcement,” Downey & Lenkov Construction Newsletter, September 2025
  • “U.S. Supreme Court Unanimously Holds “Reverse Discrimination” Claims Not Held to Higher Standard of Proof, Downey & Lenkov Labor and Employment Newsletter, June 2025
  • “DOL Issues Guidance on Independent Contractor Missclassification Enforcement,” Downey & Lenkov Labor and Employment Newsletter, June 2025
  • “7th Circuit Rules in Favor of Non-Disabled Employee in ADA Claim,” Downey & Lenkov Labor and Employment Newsletter, June 2025
  • “Teachable Moment from ‘It Ends With Us’ Lawsuit,” Downey & Lenkov Labor and Employment Newsletter, March 2025
  • “EEOC: Wearables in the Workplace and Employment Discrimination,” Downey & Lenkov Labor and Employment Newsletter, March 2025
  • “NLRB Challenges Love is Blind Worker Classification,” Downey & Lenkov Labor and Employment Newsletter, March 2025
  • “7th Circuit: No Casual Link Between Protected Activity and Adverese Action,” Downey & Lenkov Labor and Employment Newsletter, July 2024
  • “EEOC Sues Illinois Employer for Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Stereotypes,” Downey & Lenkov Labor and Employment Newsletter, July 2024
  • “Chicago Company to Pay $70,000 to Settle EEOC Religious Discrimination Lawsuit,” Downey & Lenkov Labor and Employment Newsletter, March 2024
  • “7th Circuit Reversed Summary Judgment in Age Discrimination Case,” Downey & Lenkov Labor and Employment Newsletter, March 2024
  • “7th Circuit Rules in Favor of Employer in Disability Accommodation Case,” Downey & Lenkov Labor and Employment Newsletter, March 2024
  • “NDIL: BIPA Damages are Discretionary,” Downey & Lenkov Labor and Employment Newsletter, October 2023
  • “Former Hospital Employee Who Requested to Work Remotely and Not Wear a Mask Loses ADA Claims,” Downey & Lenkov Labor and Employment Newsletter, October 2023
  • “Summary Judgment Reversed by Seventh Circuit in ADA Accommodation Case,” Downey & Lenkov Labor and Employment Newsletter, October 2023
  • “SCOTUS Rules Businesses May Deny Services Based on Free Speech Rights,” Downey & Lenkov Labor and Employment Newsletter, July 2023
  • “Illinois’ Worker’s Compensation Act Not Bar to Biometric Claims,” Downey & Lenkov Labor and Employment Newsletter, April 2023
  • “What Illinois Employers Can Learn From the U.S. Women’s Soccer Equal Pay Outcome,” Downey & Lenkov Labor and Employment Newsletter, July 2022
  • “Is CBD Drug-Free? Indiana Court Says No,” Downey & Lenkov Labor and Employment Newsletter, July 2022
  • “Back To Basics In The Workplace: A Refresher on Conducting Investigations,” CLM Magazine, July 2021
  • “Vaccines in the Workplace: What Can Employers Legally Require?” Downey & Lenkov Labor and Employment Blog, January 2021
  • “Sunset of Families First Coronavirus Response Act,” Downey & Lenkov Labor and Employment Blog, January 2021

• News & Insights:

  • WGN Radio’s Legal Face-Off, “Dershowitz on Trump, Denber on Alexei Navalny, Crump on $411 Million Zoom Trial Verdict, Vinicky on 2021 IL Laws, Jackler on Workplace Vaccinations, and much more,” January 2021
  • Ignites, “Older Job Seekers Stung by Recent Appeals Court Decision,” March 2019