Jessica L. Berns

Prior Experience

Jessica worked as a judicial law clerk for the Minnesota Court of Appeals for the Hon. Francis J. Connolly, the Hon. Louise Dovre Bjorkman and the Hon. Michelle A. Larkin, where she conducted legal research, prepared bench memoranda and drafted judicial opinions.

During law school, Jessica was a summer associate at the firm. She conducted legal research, drafted memoranda on complex product liability and business litigation matters, observed deposition and arbitration proceedings, and helped research novel legal arguments for a client’s habeas corpus petition in a death-penalty case. She gained additional courtroom experience as a law clerk for the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, representing the state of Minnesota in child protection and juvenile delinquency matters.

In law school, Jessica participated in a pro bono appellate prisoner rights clinic, where she filed a brief on behalf of a prisoner asserting a Section 1983 civil rights suit and argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. She participated in moot court competitions and served as the co-director of the St. Thomas moot court program. She also served as the president of the Criminal Law Association and The Federal Bar Association — St. Thomas Chapter.

Before law school, Jessica worked as a paralegal for a disability law firm where she learned to manage large case files, communicate directly with clients and prepare evidence for trial.

Personal Interests

Outside of the office, Jessica enjoys traveling, reading anything by Stephen King, refurbishing old furniture, trying new sushi restaurants, playing softball and volleyball, watching the latest romantic comedy, attending Twins games, and long walks with her pit bull-mastiff, Ace.