Special Education and School Discipline

Education

Jessica Graham earned her juris doctorate from the University of Memphis, Cecil C. Humphrey School of Law. While in law school, she served on the Moot Court Board and was an assistant editor for the Tennessee Journal of Practice and Procedure. She also served as a judicial law clerk for Chancery Court Judge Walter Evans (retired). Prior to law school, she attended Liberty University, graduating with her B.A. in Communications.

Experiences

Jessica began her legal career in Tennessee and is a licensed attorney in both Tennessee (inactive) and California. After graduating from law school, she worked as a district attorney for Shelby County, Tennessee. Shortly thereafter, she moved to California and began working as a district attorney for Riverside County, where she worked for over ten years. While there, she prosecuted all manner of crimes, including white-collar fraud, gangs, homicides, and career criminal cases. She has tried multi-defendant cases, including to multiple juries, and has also presented to the grand jury. As a prosecutor, Jessica honed her examination skills, questioning hostile and reluctant witnesses and a wide array of lay and expert witnesses, including law enforcement, scientists, and medical and mental health professionals. She also led trainings for the DA’s office and outside agencies.

In 2015, Jessica began working in private practice, primarily in litigation. Civil practice afforded her the opportunity to flex her legal writing and research skills and she has continued to take complicated subject matter and make it both relatable and understandable. In keeping with this, she also began working as an adjunct professor and instructor to both colleges and sheriff academies, teaching among other things, evidence and litigation and civil procedure. Eager to learn as well as teach, in 2019, she obtained her mediator’s certificate and has served as a volunteer arbitrator and mediator.

Jessica does not shy away from tough cases or difficult conversations. Her years of experience have taught her to seek resolution and collaboration where possible, and, when necessary, to engage in persuasive and polished written and oral argument.