Senior Research Attorney Jessica Akins

B.S., cum laude, Texas State University, 1998; J.D., St. Mary’s University, 2000. 

Jessica started her career as an Assistant District Attorney in Harris County, Texas. She spent 12 years there focusing on appellate criminal law. She also was fortunate enough to clerk for a federal magistrate judge in Tyler, Texas, Judge Harry W. McKee. She then spent 8 years in the Justice Department as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, working in the both the Houston and Denver offices. She worked primarily on appeals in the 5th Circuit, along with some e-discovery. 

Jessica has authored over 400 legal briefs in the state and federal courts of appeals. When she’s not researching the law, she enjoys traveling, baking, reading, and yoga. She’s still trying to decide whether skiing or snowboarding is better.