Provided by Jessalyn H. Zeigler
USA
Practice Areas
Jessie Zeigler is chair of the firm’s Products Liability & Torts Practice Group and has more than 30 years of experience representing clients in product liability, environmental, toxic tort, and complex business disputes. She leads high-stakes litigation across a range of industries, including pharmaceutical, healthcare, automotive, chemical, manufacturing, energy, consumer products, and technology.
Jessie advises clients in matters involving products liability and mass torts, wildfire litigation, crisis management, environmental and safety investigations, toxic torts, contaminated sites, water rights, regulatory compliance, and catastrophic loss events. She also represents clients in complex business disputes, class actions, MDL proceedings, and appeals in state and federal courts.
Known for her strategic approach and ability to quickly master complex scientific and technical issues, Jessie has successfully defended clients in precedent-setting litigation and high-profile matters nationwide.
Career
Joined Bass, Berry & Sims in 1993. Jessie serves as chair of the firm’s Products Liability & Torts Practice Group and leads cross-office teams representing Fortune 500 companies and privately held businesses in complex litigation and regulatory matters. Has extensive experience handling trials, appeals, multidistrict litigation, and crisis response matters nationwide.
Professional Memberships
International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)— Board of Directors (2022-2025); Foundation Board (2019-2022); 2020 Annual Meeting, CLE Chair
The Trial Network — Chair (2017), Executive Committee (2016-2018); Women’s Initiative Network, Chair (2020-2024)
Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments (2020-2024)
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 & Device, Toxic Torts and Environmental Law
Education
Vanderbilt Law School
J.D.
1993
Syracuse University
B.A., B.S.
1990
Awards
Environment (2020-2026), Litigation: General Commercial (2025-2026), Recognized Practitioner (2016-2019)
Chambers USA
Local Litigation Star: Tennessee (2019-2026)
Benchmark Litigation
Nashville Product Liability Litigation: Defendants “Lawyer of the Year” (2025); Nashville Litigation: Environmental “Lawyer of the Year” (2021)
Best Lawyers®
Environmental Law; Litigation: Environmental; Natural Resources Law (2007-2026)
The Best Lawyers in America©
Product Liability Category (2021-2022)
Expert Guides: Women in Business Law
Women of Influence, Trailblazer Category (2015)
Nashville Business Journal
500 Global Leaders in Crisis Management (2026)
Lawdragon
Mentor & Mentee Collaboration, Finalist (2026)
Women, Influence & Power in Law (WIPL) Awards
