Jessica Schultz

Jessica represents individuals, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and non-profits with legal matters involving animal law. Focused on combining her passions for the law and animal advocacy, she currently serves as the Chair of the Tennessee Bar Association's Animal Law section. In this role, she is witness to the growing need for high-quality, affordable legal services for matters that affect the rights and welfare of animals. 

Pet trusts, guardianship disputes, complexities surrounding service and support animals, wrongful death of or injury relating to an animal, and contract/insurance reviews for animal related businesses are just a few examples that Jessica can provide legal guidance on. Jessica prides herself on listening to her clients to fully understand their needs and goals so she can be the best advocate for them. 

Before joining Lyda Group, Jessica worked with several major insurance carriers for close to 20 years. She specializes in commercial insurance and has extensive experience in all roles—especially claims and litigation. She is a trained mediator and arbitrator, so an amicable resolution is her main goal to help minimize both her client's and the court's resources.

As an entrepreneur herself, she knows the complexity of legal issues business owners often face. She is eager to assist in proactively examining each business's unique exposures to implement strategic risk aversion and management techniques. 

Jessica grew up in Tell City, Indiana but has lived in the Nashville area for close to 20 years. She received her Bachelors in Pre-law/Criminal Justice from Ball State University and her law degree from Nashville School of Law in 2017. 

In her free time, Jessica can be found dancing, volunteering at local animal rescues and pro bono clinics, collecting stamps for her National Park Passport, and spending time with her family and friends. She is also a proud mother to 3 boys - one human, one canine, and one feline.

PRACTICE AREAS

• Animal Law
• Insurance Law
• Small Business & Nonprofit Advice
• Contractor Disputes
• Estate Planning, including Pet Trusts
• Collaborative divorce
• Pre/postnuptial agreements
• Landlord/Tenant disputes
• Mediation & Arbitration

EDUCATION

• Nashville School of Law, J.D.
• Ball State University, B.S, Pre-law/Criminal Justice
• The Institutes, Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU)

ADMISSIONS

• Tennessee Supreme Court

AFFILIATIONS

• Tennessee Bar Association Animal Law Section Chair
• Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Volunteer Attorney
• The Honorable Order of the Blue Goose International Insurance Association: President and Charity Coordinator