Jessica Jensen


Jessica McKeegan Jensen brings both mind and heart to her practice of law.  With over 30 years of experience as an attorney and paralegal, Ms. Jensen is well equipped to meet your need for an attorney who is knowledgeable in more than just one narrow aspect of the law.  Her general practice focuses on business, real estate, land use, estate planning and probate because these areas of law so often intersect.  Ms. Jensen also represents individuals involved in high-asset divorce, termination of domestic partnership and dissolution of business.  Jessica utilizes a holistic, collaborative approach in her practice that goes beyond merely providing legal advice.  Her clients appreciate her straight talk, her clear explanation of the law and their options, and her focus on practical, cost-saving solutions.  Although Ms. Jensen prefers to keep her clients out of court, she is a seasoned trial attorney whose straightforward approach has won many a court argument and trial.  Ms. Jensen’s clients include high-net worth families, the owners of small and large businesses, nonprofits, homeowners associations, authors, artists, musicians and a wide variety of physicians and other health and healing professionals.

About

Ms. Jensen has practiced law for almost 20 years in Washington and Maine, including 7 years as a manager in Washington state government.  Active in community affairs, Jessica is Chair of the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees.  She also serves on the Board of Thurston Climate Action Team, which oversees the Thurston Energy program.

In addition to managing a growing practice, Jessica currently teaches in the University of Washington’s postgraduate Contract Management certificate program and previously taught in the University of Washington’s post-graduate Paralegal Certificate program and Central Washington University’s Undergraduate prelaw program.  She is a frequent speaker at business, real estate and legal seminars.  

Ms. Jensen is a contributing writer for various publications including Business Examiner, Thurston County Chamber Voice, Thurstontalks.com and Business Values magazine.

A graduate of the University of Maine School of Law, Jessica spent 10 years working as a paralegal in Vermont, and subsequently as a law clerk and attorney in Maine prior to relocating to Washington State in 1995.   She was the Contracts Administrator for the State of Washington Department of Social and Health Services from 1996-2000 and a Real Estate Services Manager for the State of Washington Department of Transportation from 2000-2003.

Jessica is a singer and musician in several local bands.  She enjoys contra dancing, sailing, biking, hiking, camping, paddle boarding, gardening and travel.  She and her partner Mark raise chickens and ducks.  Jessica has two stepsons and 4 grandchildren in Vermont.

Areas of Practice

  • Business
  • Real Estate and Land Use
  • Wills, Trusts and Estates
  • Family Law

 

Reported Decision
Fullerton v. Knox County Commissioners, 586 A.2d 392 (Maine 1996) (condemnation of avigation easement).

Licenses and Education
Licensed to practice law in Washington and Maine
University of Maine School of Law (J.D. 1992)
University of Vermont (B.A. Economics 1989)
Woodbury College (Certificate in Paralegal Studies 1982) 


Teachings and Publications

  • University of Washington Contracts Management certificate program, 2007-present
  • Central Washington University Prelaw program, 1997-2005
  • University of Washington Paralegal certificate program, 1996-2004. 
  • NBI and Lorman continuing legal education seminars on real estate issues, 2006-present
  • Ms. Jensen has presented numerous seminars on business and real estate topics for organizations such as Enterprise for Equity, The Evergreen State College Extension, Key4Women, National Association for Professional Mortgage Women, and Thurston County Small Business Development Center
  • Ms. Jensen has written for the Business Examiner and had regular columns in Olympia’s Green Pages and The Sitting Duck.  She currently writes for ThurstonTalks.com and Business Values Magazine.

 


Professional Affiliations

Thurston County Chamber of Commerce (Chair, 2011-12; Chair Elect, 2010-11; Vice Chair, 2009-2010; Board of Trustees, 2007-present; Chair, Legislative Committee, 2008-2010)
Sound Collaboration (Director, 2004-present)
Washington State and Thurston County Bar Associations
Thurston County Bar Association, Co-Chair of Land Use Committee
Washington State Bar Association Real Property Section


Community Service

Jessica has provided volunteer legal services to several nonprofit organizations, including the Black Hills Audubon Society, Black Lake Grange, Thurston County Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise for Equity, Olympia Contra Dance Community, Puget Sound Wellness Association, Thurston County EDC Small Business Resource Center, Thurston Climate Action Team and Thurston County Progressive Network.  She is a founding member and Director of Sound Collaboration, a nonprofit engaged in promoting collaborative law.