Jessica M. Jewell, Deputy Director at California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc., is responsible for overseeing the operations and administration of CRLA, a state-wide law firm fighting for community-led justice. Jessica also oversees legal services and strategy of the Rural Justice Unit offices, a total of 13 field offices throughout rural California, and works with CRLA’s client board members to develop their leadership skills.

Jessica was raised in the Central Valley in Riverbank, California where a passion for working alongside her community was instilled in her early on being part of an immigrant working-class family.

Jessica is the proud alumni of public schools and obtained her higher education in the Central Valley. Jessica minored in Theatre Arts and received her B.A. in Criminal Justice from California State University, Stanislaus. She then went on to receive her J.D. from Humphrey’s College, Laurence Drivon School of Law.

Jessica has chosen to dedicate her career to legal services. After working as an advocate for Legal Aid Society of Orange County (now Community Legal Aid SoCal), she moved back to her hometown and has been working with CRLA since 2009. Throughout her time at CRLA, Jessica has worked to secure habitable and affordable housing in CRLA client communities, and language access rights for low-income tenants. Jessica has also successfully represented low-wage workers in employment discrimination litigation and was part of a team of attorneys reaching a successful settlement revamping discipline policies to address and eliminate discrimination and bias in a local school district.

Jessica now resides in Turlock with her spouse, Justin, their children, Jennavieve and Julietta, and a whole zoo of pets.