Biography
Jessica Butkera is an experienced trial attorney who focuses her practice on general liability, product liability and toxic tort matters. She represents a wide range of clients across various industries including property management, hospitality, retail, amusement parks, stadiums, construction, automobile, and trucking. Jessica litigates complex lawsuits in the state and federal courtrooms of Maryland and the District of Columbia, offering clients the myriad benefits associated with her broad perspective and numerous bench and jury trial accomplishments. Jessica has extensive experience in all phases of litigation and works with clients from the claim stage and onset of litigation through trial or settlement, coordinating their legal strategy, personally overseeing site and product inspections, and managing all aspects of discovery, motions, mediation, and trial.
After graduating from the University of Maryland School of Law and before entering private practice, Jessica clerked for the Hon. Audrey J.S. Carrion in the Circuit Court of Baltimore City, Maryland.
Jessica is actively involved in legal and professional organizations, including the Maryland State Bar Association, Bar Association of Baltimore City, and District of Columbia Bar, and serves on the Board of Trustees of the Baltimore Bar Foundation. Jessica maintains an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been named to the Maryland Super Lawyers Rising Stars list every year since 2013. The National Trial Lawyers selected Jessica for its Top 40 Under 40 list in 2016.
Honors
Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating: AV Preeminent
AVVO Rating: 10 Superb
Maryland Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2013-20
The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, 2016
America's Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys, 2019
America's Top 100 Civil Defense Litigators for Maryland, 2018-20
America's Top 100 High Stakes Litigators for Maryland, 2018-2
American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys (AIOPIA) "10 Best Female Attorneys" for Maryland, 2016
Bar Admissions
Maryland
District of Columbia
U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
Education
University of Maryland School of Law, J.D., 2007
National Mock Trial Competition Champion, 2007
Maryland Law Review: Editor
The George Washington University, B.A., cum laude, 2002
Legal Associations
Baltimore Bar Foundation, Inc., Board of Trustees, 2016 to present
Bar Association of Baltimore City
Communications and News Journal Committee, 2015 to present
Personal Injury Litigation Committee, 2013 to present
Maryland State Bar Association, Inc.
Baltimore County Bar Association
District of Columbia Bar
Maryland Defense Counsel, Inc.
National Association of Professional Women
Community
Delta Gamma Baltimore Alumnae Association
Delta Gamma Fraternity
Delta Gamma Foundation
University of Maryland School of Law National Trial Team
Canton Community Association
Alzheimer’s Association
Experience Highlights
Premises Liability
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Following a two-week trial, successfully obtaining a defense verdict in Baltimore City for a contractor of a professional sports stadium in a premises liability matter
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Following a one-week trial, successfully obtaining a defense verdict for a restaurant in a premises liability matter
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Successfully obtaining a defense verdict in Baltimore City for a local, professional sports team in a premises liability case
Medical Malpractice
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Securing a dismissal in a medical malpractice case on the basis that the Plaintiff had not complied with the Health Claims statute by first filing in the Health Claims Alternative Dispute Resolution Office (HCADRO)
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Successfully obtaining a defense verdict for a hospital in a medical-malpractice informed consent case
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Following a one-week trial, successfully obtaining a defense verdict for a hospital in a medical-malpractice emergency medicine and abdominal surgery matter
Automobiles and Trucking
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Obtaining summary judgment in an automobile accident defense matter
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Securing a directed verdict on behalf of an insured driver in a multi-vehicle collision
Miscellaneous Litigation
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Recovering a client’s defense costs and fees after successfully utilizing a Rule 68 Offer of Judgment
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Obtaining dismissal of a civil lawsuit brought against a water and wastewater utility company
Publications
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“Sending Smoke Signals: What You Need to Know About Electronic Cigarettes, and Why They Are the Next Mass Tort,” (Author), CLM Magazine, November 2019
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“Outbreak of Severe Pulmonary Disease Linked to E-Cigarette Use: The Makings of a Mass Tort?” (Co-Author), American Bar Association Mass Torts Litigation Newsletter – Winter 2020, October 24, 2019
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“FDA Focuses on Youth E-Cigarette Use as Juul Comes Under Fire in Civil Litigation” (Co-Author), DRI Toxic Torts and Environmental Law Newsletter, Vol. 21, Issue 3, December 14, 2018
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“Evidence Must Show What is Fact and What is Just Opinion” (Co-Author), American Bar Association Mass Torts Litigation Practice Point, September 4, 2018
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“Taking and Defending Corporate Representative Depositions: A Primer” The Maryland Litigator, June 2018
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“When the Vapors Clear — Potential Toxic Tort Litigation from E-Cigarettes,” The Baltimore Barrister, May 2017 (updated and republished in the American Bar Association Toxic Torts and Environmental Law Newsletter, Winter 2018; and the DRI Toxic Torts and Environmental Law Newsletter, Vol. 20, Issue 3, Fall 2017)
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“Maryland Employers Lose Again: The Maryland Court of Appeals’ Interpretations of the Workers Compensation Act and Other Relevant Statutes,” Maryland Law Review, 2006
Presentations
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“Applying the Rules of Evidence: What Every Attorney Needs to Know” (Presenter), National Business Institute Seminar, Rockville, Maryland, October 25, 2019
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“Advanced Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Law,” National Business Institute, Timonium, MD, September 27, 2018
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Panelist, The University of Maryland School of Law, Judicial Clerkship Panel, 2011, 2013
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Panelist, The University of Maryland School of Law, Small Firm Panel, 2009
Webinars
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“The Use of E-Cigarettes: Recent Updates from the CDC and Pending Litigation” (Presenter), GS Toxic Tort and Environmental Law Webinar, December 19, 2019
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“The Evolution and Epidemic of E-Cigarettes” (Co-Presenter), GS Toxic Tort and Environmental Law Webinar, February 21, 2019
Podcasts
