Jessica G. Patterson

**** * ******, ******, *** York 11003

T: 973-***-**** E: acxey9@r.postjobfree.com EXPERIENCE

Staff Counsel, GEICO INSURANCE COMPANY, Westbury, New York January 2014 - Present

• Participates in all stages of litigation including arbitration, mediation, and trial

• Represents clients in jury trial and bench trials, including preparing witnesses, examining and cross-examining witnesses

• Manages and independently monitors a caseload of 100+ cases to defend against negligence and property damage claims

• Negotiates settlements to limit liability exposure resulting in client’s favorable financial outcome in more than 80% of cases

• Engages in fact investigation by conducting client and witness interviews by utilizing effective constructive communication

• Drafts, files, and orally argues persuasive discovery motions to dismiss, resulting in the granting of dismissal of complaints with prejudice

• Executes effective depositions and conducts examinations under oath to ascertain further information from claimants on personal injury protection, bodily injury, and property damage claims

• Leads a team of two secretaries and a paralegal to ensure compliance with corporate standards to mobilize each team member to act independently and maintain inter-departmental cooperative relationships

• Develops strategies and solutions to minimize exposure by identifying key risks and liability coverage issues based on insured’s policy limits Discovery Consultant, SIMPSON, THATCHER & BARTLETT LLP, New York, NY October - November 2013

• Analyzed complaints to determine potential applicability of defenses in large-scale asbestos litigation class action to streamline project

• Conducted substantive review of medical reports, answers to interrogatories and deposition transcripts in order to determine validity of claims

• Organized, managed, reviewed and indexed documents by utilizing legal software to provide detailed interrogatory responses to discovery requests

• Collaborated with team members to devise an investigative strategy and criteria for evaluating discovery documents Student Attorney, RUTGERS COMMUNITY LAW CLINIC, Newark, NJ January - May 2013

• Delivered corporate and transactional legal services in collaboration with a team of attorneys in the formation of Limited Liability Companies, Subchapter S Corporations and Partnerships for local urban businesses

• Assisted clients with the formation of corporations by executing bylaws, operating agreements, and certificates of incorporation

• Filed trademark applications before the United States Patent & Trademark Office on behalf of startup companies as part of USPTO Law School Clinical Certification Pilot Program

• Led independent task force that investigated guardianship matter resulting in recommendation to the Superior Court to allow primary care giver to represent minor

• Facilitated mediation between disputing business partners to resolve conflict by providing guidance resulting in a creative solution to contract dispute

Judicial Intern for Honorable Carolyn Wright, SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY, Newark, NJ January - May 2013

• Conducted legal research, drafted memoranda and proposed dispositions on legal issues related to personal injury, civil procedure, and jury instructions

• Organized, monitored, and updated case files including pleadings, discovery materials, deposition transcripts and exhibits, hearing transcripts, pre- trial and trial exhibits and briefs to investigate facts and determine course of action

• Primary judicial intern responsible for developing a proposal outline for legal arguments presented by plaintiff and defendant in wrongful death suit Legal Intern for Chief Prosecutor, MUNICIPAL PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE, Newark, NJ May - August 2012

• Prosecuted criminal, traffic, domestic matters, and city ordinance violations resulting in 95% conviction rate

• Presented criminal background risk assessment to facilitate plea agreements negotiations between the prosecution and opposing counsel for proper sentencing and sanctions

• Conducted factual investigations and research for trial preparation, including interviewing police officers, victims, and witnesses pursuant to prospective criminal complaints

Law Compliance and Business Ethics Summer Associate, PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, Newark, NJ May - August 2011

• Delivered effective analytical and problem-solving solutions while offering practical advice to sales executives and the business unit to ensure compliance with SEC regulations

• Updated and revised Financial Advisory Client Agreements to ensure compliance with federal regulations as they pertain to the Investment Advisor’s Act of 1940

• Conducted legal research, prepared memoranda, and reported findings on federal regulatory policy

• Acted as a liaison between legal management team and business stakeholders to ensure compliance with federal, state, legal and regulatory requirements related to Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the Office of Foreign Assets Control, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and Federal Trade Commission

EDUCATION

RUTGERS SCHOOL OF LAW - NEWARK, Newark, NJ May 2013 Juris Doctor

HONORS: Rutgers Business Law Journal

ACTIVITIES: Rutgers School of Law Bankruptcy Pro Bono Project, Eric R. Neisser Pro Bono Service Program, Minority Student Program UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, Columbia, SC May 2009 Bachelor of Science, Sport and Entertainment Management HONORS: Dean’s List, South Carolina LIFE Scholar

ACTIVITIES: National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Sport and Entertainment Management Club AFFILIATIONS

New York State Bar

New Jersey State Bar

Georgia State Bar (Admission Pending)

New York City Bar Association

American Bar Association

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