Jessica Smith

An experienced trial strategist, Jessica handles high-stakes, complex disputes for large private and public companies. She also provides specialized guidance on First Amendment matters.

Trial Attorney: Jessica is an experienced trial attorney who brings a pragmatic perspective to litigation and trial, recognizing that clients must prioritize their operations during the course of these disputes. With a relationship-oriented approach, she works closely with clients to understand their business issues and builds a case strategy—from pleadings through complicated discovery and trial—that aligns with their short- and long-term goals. Jessica earns client trust through her astute judgment, effective case management, and tenacious advocacy. She litigates a broad range of issues in state and federal court and arbitrations, including breach of contract, fraud, intellectual property, labor and employment, real estate, and other business-related disputes.

First Amendment Counseling and Litigation: Jessica assists individuals, businesses, nonprofits (including religious institutions), and state and local governments to navigate First Amendment issues, from crisis response and litigation to policy development. She handles defamation and anti-SLAPP matters, along with other issues involving freedom of speech, religion, and the press. She helps clients evaluate risk and develop strategic responses to sensitive or hot button issues, particularly when reputational concerns are at stake. She also works with clients to develop policies, procedures, and other proactive risk management strategies.

Before joining Holland & Hart, Jessica was a judicial clerk for Justice Gregory Phillips of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and Justice Gregory Hobbs of the Colorado Supreme Court.

Colorado Bar Association, Member; Denver Bar Association, Member; Colorado Women’s Bar Association, Member; Faculty of Federal Advocates, Member; University of Colorado Law Review, Alumni Advisory Board