Our Team

Biography

Jessica CM Almeida’s concentrates her practice in land use, redevelopment, housing, and municipal law.

Jessica received her Bachelors of Arts, Cum Laude, from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina with a major in History and a minor in English.  While at Carolina, Jessica was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, Mortar Board, Order of Omega, and served as Secretary of Golden Key International Honor Society. Jessica received the University of South Carolina Outstanding Senior Award for her work on the Panhellenic Counsel and Student Government Association.

As an evening student at Seton Hall University School of Law, Jessica served two terms as the Student Bar Association Evening Vice-President.  While a member of the Dispute Resolution Society, she was a two time semi-finalist in the American Bar Association Client Counseling Competition. She was awarded the Appellate Advocacy Best Brief Award and was a member of the Appellate Advocacy Moot Court Board. Jessica volunteered as a student mentor and participated in the BP Oil Spill Intersession Course in New Orleans, studying the environmental and legal ramifications of the Deepwater Horizon explosion.  During her final year at Seton Hall, Jessica did an externship with the Honorable Madeline Cox-Arleo, U.S.D.J.

Following her graduation from Seton Hall University School of Law, Cum Laude, in May of 2013, Jessica clerked for the Honorable Mary Catherine Cuff, P.J.A.D., during her time as an Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.  

Prior to joining the firm, she practiced for eight years, in the area of land use and associated litigation, redevelopment, and represented municipal utilities. Jessica has briefed and successfully argued matters before the Superior Court, Appellate Division, and New Jersey Supreme Court. She participated in Mount Laurel Hearings and was involved in various Affordable Housing matters.

Jessica is currently a member of Committee on Character for the New Jersey State Bar.  She has been named a Super Lawyer for 2024 and was named a Rising Star1 for 2021 and 2023 in the Area of Land Use by New Jersey Super Lawyers Magazine. She served as the President of the Kiwanis Club of Caldwell West Essex for 2022-2023 and is Chair of the New Jersey District of Kiwanis Convention Committee.  Jessica was just elected Lieutenant Governor of Division 7 of the New Jersey District of Kiwanis International for 2023-2024.