Jessica is a talented, multi-lingual attorney with international experience. Her practice focuses on investigations, litigation, and arbitration proceedings, particularly in the construction sector.
Jessica works as a staff attorney in Pillsbury’s Houston office. She supports the firm’s foreign and domestic clients during international arbitrations, treaty proceedings, foreign government claims, insurance recovery actions, DOJ and state attorney general inquiries, civil litigation and internal investigations. She has served in various in-house and outside counsel settings, both in the United States and abroad, and her wide experience has taught her to approach projects practically, creatively and efficiently. She is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Representative Experience
- Assisted in representation of Foster Wheeler in a multi-billion dollar ICSID arbitration against Colombia (ICSID Case No. ARB/19/34) for violations of the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, arising from a construction project in Colombia.
- Assisted in pro bono matters involving Guatemalan client seeking asylum, as well as achieving Special Immigrant Juvenile Status for two Honduran minors.
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In House Experience
- Negotiated with the Mining Ministry, Health Ministry and the Peruvian Congress “exceptional adjustment” environmental permits allowing continued operation of company’s mine and smelter.
- Drafted and negotiated major engineering and construction contracts (total value $200 million) and led the negotiations of a $40 million revolving credit agreement and ancillary security agreement.
- Created and implemented company’s General Contracting Policy, liaising with the procurement, finance and business units.
- Conducted internal safety and environmental audits at mine and smelter, liaising with the environmental and safety units, and reduced up to 70% of administrative fines and infractions.
- Handled all legal matters arising from launching a new business for entertainment conglomerate.
- Negotiated and drafted all contracts required by entertainment conglomerate, including commercial real estate lease agreements, service contracts, procurement and licensing agreements.
- Developed and implemented a legal compliance plan to minimize risk of lawsuits and fines.
Professional Highlights
- Completed the Executive Training Program on Company-Wide Problem Solving from the Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship, Aichi, Japan (October-November 2005)
Education
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J.D., South Texas College of Law, 2018
M.P.A., University of Utah, 2001
LL.M., Environmental and Resources Law, University of Utah, 1999
University of Lima, 1995
Professional Law; with honors
Admissions
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Texas
Lima, Peru
Languages
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Spanish
Portuguese