Jessica Kish Kennedy

Overview

Jessica Kennedy defends employers, businesses, and private clients in a broad array of complex commercial litigation, including claims of employment discrimination, retaliation, wrongful discharge, breach of contract, workplace injuries, and unfair business practices. As part of her commercial practice, Jessica provides preventative counseling to ensure compliant HR policies and procedures.

In her third decade of practice, Jessica's litigation skills are formidable. She brings a track record of favorable outcomes in resolving serious, high-stakes claims, with proven talent in defending actions at government agencies, such as the EEOC, MCAD, CHRO, and NLRB. Notably, she advised on the industry-leading prescription opiate Bellwether trials against international drug companies, manufacturers, and distributors. Jessica also represents directors and officers in business and education settings.

Earlier in her career, Jessica co-founded a law firm representing commercial insurers and corporate clients in high exposure, large loss claims. As panel counsel for national insurers, she guided clients through highly specialized litigation involving major trauma, property damage, and G.L. c. 93A/c. 176D claims. Through these experiences, Jessica cultivated her proficiencies in working with medical experts, engineers, actuaries, investigators, and other professionals to architect litigation strategies that resolved disputes expeditiously and efficiently.

Prior to the law, Jessica was a technical writer at IBM Corporation, providing her with unique experience in translating sophisticated concepts into straightforward content for laypeople and juries to understand.

Experience

• Judge v. Carrai, 77 Mass. App. Ct. 803 (2010) (co-counsel): a reported case of first impression cited in 28 secondary sources, including the: Trial Handbook for Massachusetts Lawyers, §3:16; Westlaw Practical Law (Summary Judgment: Initial Considerations); and Massachusetts Practice, §3:145, §23.5, §18.13, §27:25
• Granted Further Appellate Review: Roe v. Lawn, 416 Mass. 1103 (1993) (co-counsel)
• In re: National Prescription Opiate Litigation, MDL No. 2804, 1:17-cv-2804: worked with Boston area committee managing MDL litigation in the industry-leading prescription opiate Bellwether trials against international drug companies, manufacturers, and distributors
• Represented nationally renowned political pundit in claims of workplace sexual harassment and retaliation
• Represented a Boston-area property management company in various discrimination claims brought by tenants and former employees during 2022-2026

Presentations & Speaking Engagements

• Panelist, “The Great Resignation: Where Have All the Employees Gone?” Women in Insurance Leadership, ExecuSummit, March 16, 2023
• Presenter, “New EPL Claims and Challenges in 2023: Pay Transparency and Handling Nuclear Verdicts," Travelers Insurance CLE, June 15, 2023
• Presenter, “Hot Employment Topics in 2023: How to Navigate New Pay and Transparency Laws,” Chubb Insurance CLE, July 18, 2023
• Presenter, “Pardon the Interruption: Top Employment Claims and Challenges in 2024,” Chubb Insurance CLE, November 29, 2023
• Presenter, “Navigating the Tripartite Relationship,” O’Hagan Meyer advisory, November 2, 2023

Professional

• Member, Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS), 2023 to Present
• Member, Boston Bar Association
• Member, Massachusetts Bar Association