Jessalyn H. Zeigler

Practice Areas

Jessie is chair of the firm’s Products Liability & Torts Group and has more than 25 years of experience in defending clients in product liability actions (MDL, mass tort and single cases) and representing clients in environmental or safety matters. She gets to know the science/background behind the matter, is a strategic thinker, and is aggressive in the pursuit of her clients’ interests resulting in success in every forum. She advises clients in matters related to product liability, crisis management/crisis response, fire/wildfire litigation, contaminated sites, water rights, toxic torts, citizens’ suits, compliance investigations and citations in actions involving federal and state environmental/safety agencies.

Jessie's practice includes:

- Products liability and mass torts

- Environmental, health and safety and toxic torts

- Crisis management / catastrophic loss

- Wildfire litigation

- Natural gas

- Appeals

Career

Joined Bass, Berry & Sims in 1993.

Professional Memberships

International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)— Board of Directors (2022-present); Foundation Board (2019-2022); 2020 Annual Meeting, CLE Chair

The Trial Network — Chair (2017), Executive Committee (2016-2018); Women’s Initiative Network, Chair (2020-present)

Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments (2020-present)

Federal Magistrate Judge Selection Committee (2015)

Nashville Bar Association: Federal Court Committee, Co-Chair (2012-2013)

American Bar Association: Joint CLE, Women in Products Liability, and Food & Supplements Subcommittees, Past Co-Chair

Defense Research Institute (DRI): Product Liability, Drug & Devic, Toxic Torts and Environmental Law

Personal

JD, Vanderbilt University (1993) - Order of the Coif

BA and BS, Syracuse University (1990) - summa cum laude; Phi Beta Kappa

Awards