Jessica McDonald is a 1992 graduate of Lawrence High School in Fairfield, Maine.  As a child she grew up showing and raising registered Quarter Horses.  After moving to Ohio, she graduated Cum Laude from Shawnee State University with a bachelor’s degree in social science in 1999 and graduated from Capital University School of Law with a Juris Doctor is 2002.  She started her legal career at the Pike County Prosecutor’s Office, serving as the only assistant prosecutor and worked on all types of criminal and juvenile cases.  In 2006 she became an Assistant State Public Defender, moving up the ranks to supervisor at the Ross County Branch Office during her tenure with the agency.  She was awarded the Noel E. Kaech Juvenile Defender Award for her impact and contribution in juvenile law in 2019.  Now in private practice, she practices in all areas of civil law, including but not limited to custody, divorce, contract disputes, personal injury, guardianships, GAL work and probate and estate matters.  Her years practicing criminal law have given her immeasurable courtroom and legal writing experience.  She practices in Adams, Brown, Ross, Highland, Hocking, Gallia, Jackson, Vinton, Scioto, Pike, Fayette, and Pickaway Counties.  Outside the courtroom she resides in Adams County with her high school sweetheart, Mike and their two children.  She enjoys camping, reading and THE Ohio State University Football.