Jessica M. Pettit

Jessica Pettit represents clients ranging from large corporations to individuals in high value and mission critical commercial and business litigation matters, including real estate disputes, construction defect cases, trade secret disputes, investment disputes, breach of contract cases, and defamation matters. Her clients range from investors with interests in real estate development and emerging businesses to companies with established household names faced with litigation over key contracts and protection of their brand and trade secrets. 

Jessica has significant litigation experience, from pre-litigation strategy through every aspect of a case, including trial and appeal. Jessica has secured successful results on behalf of defendants at the pleadings stage to leverage favorable settlements. She has experience in all stages of complex class action defense litigation. She has also handled appeals, having represented clients in cases where motion victories at the trial court were affirmed on appeal. 

Jessica has represented clients in California state courts, appellate courts, and numerous federal courts.

Jessica also utilizes her experience and resolute advocacy on behalf of pro bono clients. She previously clerked for the Honorable Jennifer W. Elrod on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Education

• Georgetown University Law Center J.D., magna cum laude (2013); American Criminal Law Review
• Tulane University, B.A. in Political Science and Economics, cum laude (2008)

Representative Matters

• Secured dismissal of a defamation claim with minimal business disruption through successful anti-SLAPP filing. (Prior to joining Robins Kaplan LLP)
• Secured a favorable settlement in a multi-party complex construction case. (Prior to joining Robins Kaplan LLP)
• Litigated on behalf of a client who was defending a negligence and fraud claim, with alleged damages of $20 million. After securing dismissal of allegations for punitive damages from the plaintiff’s complaint, favorably settled the case. (Prior to joining Robins Kaplan LLP)
• Achieved summary judgment on behalf of a client facing fraud claims. The dismissal was affirmed on appeal. (Prior to joining Robins Kaplan LLP)
• Secured dismissal of negligence and fraud allegations at the pleadings stage on behalf of an entertainment company that was affirmed on appeal. (Prior to joining Robins Kaplan LLP)

• Awarded the Wiley M. Manuel Pro Bono Certificate by the California Lawyers Association for providing at least 50 hours of pro bono legal services (2023)

Professional

• Los Angeles Women’s Bar Association