ZUPP Jessica

Jessica Zupp, Attorney in Denison

Here are some phrases I frequently hear from my clients in my office: 1) My children are not safe, 2) I just want to leave, and 3) What do you think? If any of these phrases apply to you, you might want to schedule a meeting with me.

Whether you need someone to fight tooth and nail for you all the way to trial, or if you're ready to reach a reasonable settlement and pack up and leave quickly, or even if you're really not sure what to think in your time of confusion, I am the attorney for you. I've handled the full range of divorce and family law cases: children, no children, lots of assets, few assets, physical violence, child abuse, drug addiction, no violence, pre-marital property, gifts, inherited assets, alimony, temporary hearings, final hearings, child support, medical support, college support (grants for post-secondary education), DNA testing, paternity, layoffs, and more. While I always prefer mutual settlements and compromises for my clients over costly and risky trials before unelected judges, rest assured that if you need a pitbull in court, it's me. We might fall, but it won't be without a good fight.

Also, if you've been arrested locally or if the police call you to "come talk," I can probably help. Having practiced law for nearly fifteen years now, I am very familiar with the criminal justice system. Sometimes it's not just about what you know, but also who you know, and choosing an attorney who gets along with others and understands how the process works can help you. Before you give up, consider having a consultation with me.

In addition to being a fierce advocate for my clients, I am also a certified mediator. I've participated in huge divorces worth millions of dollars on one hand, and the division of used Pampered Chef equipment (seriously) on the other. There's nothing too crazy or too big (there's probably a "too petty" limit somewhere...) where we can't at least try to resolve it through mediation. I'm particularly good at mediation because before becoming an attorney, I spent four years as a debater in high school, another four years as a debater in college, and then two more years as a litigator in law school. And I won many trophies doing it. Thanks to this experience, I feel I can have a broad perspective on both parties' disputes and help them resolve their conflicts quickly. We can also conduct virtual mediation, which is especially helpful during the pandemic.

Finally, I am also regularly asked by other attorneys to conduct legal research or write briefs for them. I used to hate legal writing in law school, but somewhere along the way, I ended up loving it. Today, drafting briefs, legal research, and coming up with new legal theories are some of my passions as an attorney. So, if you're an opposing attorney who's watching me online for a case we have against each other right now (I see you!), and you need a brief, don't hesitate to reach out! You won't regret it.

On a personal note, I am fortunate to have a wonderful, talented, kind, and funny daughter, Breanna, who is the light of my life. We have a Pomeranian named Lola and many extracurricular activities that keep us busy. When we have "free time," we enjoy going to the pool, the ice rink, playing mini-golf, shopping, or spending time together at home.

Education and Degrees

• Juris Doctor, University of South Dakota School of Law, 2006
• BA, Buena Vista University, 2003
• Iowa Bar Admission, 2006

Professional Associations

• Iowa Association for Justice (IAJ), member since 2006
• IAJ Continuing Legal Education Committee
• IAJ Amicus Brief Writing Committee
• Iowa State Bar Association (ISBA), member 2006–2013
• Crawford County Bar Association, past president, current member
• Adjustment Board, Denison, IA, past president