Jessica J.W. Maher Minneapolis, Minnesota
| Attorney, since
2000 Shareholder, since 2012 | |
| phone | (612) 340-1150 (Firm) (800) 730-9101 (Toll Free) |
| fax | 612-340-1154 |
| jessica.maher@wbdlaw.com | |
Experienced in all areas of family law, including contested and non-contested adoption matters; interstate and complex adoption matters; third party custody and/or visitation matters; appellate practice including the Court of Appeals and Minnesota Supreme Court; dissolution; paternity and juvenile court issues.
- Year Joined Organization:
- 2000
- Education:
- University of Minnesota Law School, Minneapolis, Minnesota,
1999
J.D.
Honors: Cum Laude
Honors: Dean's List With An "A" Average, 1998 - 99 and 1997 - 98
Honors: National Moot Court, Administrative Director 1998 - 99, Member 1997 - 98
Honors: Legal Writing Student Instructor
Honors: Honor Code Council Representative
Honors: Kennth and Lilliam Smith Scholarship
Honors: Judicial Externship with The Hon. Gary Larson (4th Judicial District) - Minnesota State University, Mankato, Minnesota,
1996
B.A.
Honors: Summa Cum Laude
Honors: G.P.A.: 3.947/4.0
Honors: Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities (1995-1996)
Honors: Honors Program, University Scholar Designation
Honors: Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority, Secretary, Education Director, House Manager
Honors: Phi Alpha Theta (History Honor Society)
Major: History
- Published Works:
- Editor, "Focus On Professionalism", The Hennepin Lawyer, September, 2008
- Editor, "Focus On Family Law", The Hennepin Lawyer, May, 2007
- Birth Father's Rights in Adoption: A Minnesota Perspective, (Co-Author with Wright S. Walling, Esq.), Minnesota Institute of Legal Education Seminar Materials, February, 2003
- Editor, "Focus on Transitions: Planning for the Future", The Hennepin Lawyer , September, 2011
- Representative Cases:
- Heidbreder v. Carton, 645 N.W.2d 355 (Minn. 2002)
- In The Matter Of The Petition Of T.D. and J.D. to Adopt N.T.K., and B.L.W. as mother and natural guardian of D.J.F., a minor, and D.J.F., individually, v. A.K., as mother and natural guardian of J.M.K., a minor, and J.M.K. individually, 677 N.W.2d 110 (Minn. Ct. App. 2004)
- In Re The Welfare Of The Children Of J.L.H., 2005 WL 3470525 (Minn. Ct. App. 2005)
- Zeidler v. Zeidler, 2004 WL 1326778 (Minn. Ct. App. 2004)
- Brennan v. Braun, 2003 WL 21694157 (Minn. Ct. App. 2003)
- Sundboom v. Keul, 2002 WL 1613866
- Classes/Seminars Taught:
- Presenter, Essentials of Adoption Law, NBI Adoption Law: Start to Finish, March 5, 2009 - Present
- Presenter, International Adoption??: Highlights, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), April 30, 2009 - Present
- Presenter, Legalities in Adoption, Children's Home Society & Family Services, 2007 - Present
- Adjunct Professor, Adoption Law Class, (Teaching Assistant, to Wright S. Walling, Esq.), University of St. Thomas School of Law, 2006 - 2007
- Paternity Claims and Defenses, NBI, March 15, 2011 - Present
- Honors and Awards:
- "Rising Star" in Adoption Law, Minnesota Law & Politics, 2005
- Fellow, American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, 2006 - Present
- Professional Associations and Memberships:
- Minnesota Supreme Court Juvenile Protection Rules Committee, 2008 - Present
- Member
- American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, Fellow - February 2006 to present, 2006 - Present
- Fellow
- Minnesota State Bar Association, 1999 - Present
- Member
- Hennepin County Bar Association, 1999 - Present
- Member
- Hennepin County Bar Association, 2005 - 2011
- Co-Chair, Juvenile Law Section
- Hennepin County Bar Association, (Bar Association Magazine), 2009 - 2011
- Chair, The Hennepin Lawyer Committee
- Hennepin County Bar Association, (Bar Association Magazine)
- Active Member, The Hennepin Lawyer Committee
- Minnesota Women Lawyers, 1999 - Present
- Hennepin County Bar Association, 2011 - Present
- Member, Finance & Planning Committee
- Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), 2011 - Present
- Member
- Past Employment Positions:
- The Hon. Gary Crippen, Minnesota Court of Appeals, Judicial Law Clerk, 1999 - 2000
- Office of the General Counsel, University of Minnesota, Law Clerk, 1998
- Legal Research and Writing, University of Minnesota Law School, Student Instructor, 1997 - 1998
- Fraternities/Sororities:
- Phi Alpha Theta





