Biography

Jessica acts for Commonwealth government agencies, statutory bodies and regulated entities on government regulation, public law and complex disputes. Her clients include major Commonwealth departments managing high-profile, politically sensitive matters that require deep understanding of the statutory and governance environment in which government operates.

Jessica advises on administrative law, statutory interpretation and the legal and procedural dimensions of major government matters, including Royal Commissions and public inquiries. Her work covers witness preparation, responding to compulsory notices, managing privilege, preparing submissions and advising on legal exposure in high-visibility public sector proceedings. She also advises on government decision-making, regulatory compliance and the management of contested matters involving public authorities.

Jessica acts on matters of national significance involving acute political, reputational and public sensitivity. She is part of the Thomsons team advising in the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, one of Australia’s most significant current inquiries, established following the December 2025 Bondi Beach terrorist attack. This engagement involves counter-terrorism coordination, visa and immigration matters, community security and oversight of the AFP, ASIO and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, requiring careful management across multiple workstreams under intense public scrutiny.

Thomsons is appointed to the legal panels for the Commonwealth, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia governments and is one of only nine firms nationally with full coverage across the Commonwealth panel. Her involvement in major Royal Commission work reflects the depth and seniority of her public law practice.

Credentials

Academic qualifications:

• Bachelor of Commerce
  
• Bachelor of Laws
  
• Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
  

Jessica's experience

Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion

Acting as part of the team advising in the Royal Commission established following the Bondi Beach terrorist attack of December 2025. The Department has significant responsibilities across counter-terrorism coordination, visa and immigration, the Australian Border Force, community security grants and oversight of the AFP, ASIO and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission. Scope includes witness preparation, responding to notices to produce, managing privilege and all aspects of the Department’s engagement with the Commission. Ongoing.

Commonwealth agencies — Royal Commissions and public inquiries

Advises government agencies and their officers in Royal Commissions and major public inquiries, including preparing submissions, managing evidentiary processes and advising on legal exposure in high-visibility matters attracting public and political scrutiny.

Government clients — Administrative law and regulatory compliance

Advises Commonwealth and state government bodies on administrative law, statutory interpretation, defensible decision-making and regulatory compliance, including engagement with the courts and tribunals in contested public law proceedings.