Jessica M. Van Dyke

Professional

Ms. Van Dyke joined PLCS as an Associate in August 2011 and was licensed in Tennessee in October 2011. She is a member of the Nashville Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association, and the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. While completing her JD in Knoxville, her work included serving as Tennessee Journal of Law and Policy Symposium Editor as well as student coordinator for the ABA Indigent Defense Symposium and Research Assistant for Professor Penny White. She received the Academic Excellence Award in Trial Practice and was a member of the Criminal Law Society. Prior to completing her JD, she served as a judicial intern for Magistrate Judge Juliet Griffin of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. Ms. Van Dyke participated in international law study abroad at the National University of Ireland in Galway.

 

Ms. Van Dyke’s practice involves cases in both civil and criminal litigation.

 

Her criminal practice covers cases dealing with awide-variety of criminal offenses, including DUIs, assaults, drug offenses, and other offenses. Her approach is to thoroughly investigate every aspect of the charged offense to determine the most successful strategy for attaining the best outcome for her clients. Many clients are interested in alternative sentencing or expungement, and Ms. Van Dyke works to determine if they are eligible for either.

 

Ms. Van Dyke’s civil litigation includes, among other things, professional liability, premises liability, and employment issues. With all of her clients, in both civil and criminal cases, Ms. Van Dyke believes that establishing a solid attorney-client relationship is the critical first step to success, and her approach with new clients is to begin with an extensive conversation about all aspects of the client’s case and to establish a strong rapport and communication that will maximize the opportunity for success.