Jessica Stern is a bright, spirited courtroom lawyer and a champion for justice. Jessica joined Kish and Lietz with a reputation for providing an extremely competent and zealous defense for those facing criminal investigation or charges. Despite common systematic and societal challenges, Jessica never takes lightly the responsibility to provide each and every person with quality representation and respect. Jessica is not afraid of pushing the envelope and challenging common practices in order to uphold and protect one’s constitutional rights and the basic principles of fairness. To that end, she is a firm believer that individuals are not defined by the worst thing they (may) have done in life.

Jessica particularly values the experience she has earned in the courtroom, where she has litigated well over a thousand felony cases. She has built skill through careful investigation and methodical research, strategic negotiations with prosecutors, effective client communication, hundreds of motions arguments before various judges, and the willingness to force the state to prove its case at a jury trial. Jessica not only views success in the trials and motions she has won, but also in the dismissals and charge reductions, in arguments that change a judge’s view on a sentencing statute or evidentiary law, and most importantly in the overall satisfaction of the people she has represented.

Jessica was asked to join Kish and Lietz because of her vast experience in the state system. She has the skill and knowledge to handle any criminal-related matter in any Georgia court. Additionally, she is extremely knowledgeable in the area of probation revocations, has extensive appellate experience, and has a strong passion for helping folks facing immigration consequences as they relate to criminal matters.

Jessica is admitted to the Bar in the State of Georgia, the Georgia Court of Appeals, and the Georgia Supreme Court. Jessica is also admitted to practice before the United States District Court in the Northern District of Georgia. She is a member of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (GACDL), American Bar Association (ABA), Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity (PAD), the Georgia Association of Women Lawyers (GAWL), and Atlanta Bar Association where she sits on the board for both the Criminal Law and Women in the Profession divisions.