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Jessica Pride is the Managing Partner at The Pride Law Firm, dedicated to representing survivors of sexual assault with over fifteen years of experience as a lead attorney for women, men, and children. She co-founded the American Association for Justice’s Sexual Assault Litigation Group and has served on its Board of Governors since 2014. Jessica's firm, Survivor Lawyer, was the first in California to employ a full-time Survivor Advocate, providing comprehensive support to clients after an assault. A graduate of the University of California, Irvine, with a BA in English, Jessica earned her JD from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2006.
My mom always said I liked to argue. That coupled with an undeniable moral compass steers my life in the direction of justice. I hate injustice and when people are bullied. In high school during passing period, a mean girl threw my friend into the lockers and called her a racial slur. Without thinking, I threw my 98-pound self in between them and demanded she leave her alone. I was willing to put my personal safety on the line to protect against injustice and to stand up for what’s right. It’s that passion and fearlessness that made me want to use my voice to help others and to right the wrongs of the world. Today I get the privilege and honor of standing up for survivors of sexual assault and doing my part to end sexual violence.
You can’t predict how it’s going to turn out. I thought I had a great shot of getting into UCLA and USC. I was waitlisted at both. In the end, I got a scholarship to USD and took it. It was the best decision and led me to exactly where I was meant to be in this profession. Law school teaches you how to think like a lawyer. It doesn’t teach you how to be a lawyer. What you do with the knowledge and how you apply it determines your success. So don’t worry if you don’t get into a top-tier law school. Some of the best and most successful lawyers I know went to lower-ranked schools.
In undergrad, I used to help students write their essays for college and graduate school. The key things we taught were to make a big first impression with a great hook. The first paragraph determines if they keep reading or not. Make the essay creative and personal while highlighting different points about your qualifications–struggle/success story, community service/impact, character.
People take it very seriously. When people are stressed, they don’t perform at their best. Prepare ahead of time so you are confident in yourself. On the day of the test, take a deep breath and trust yourself. All you can do is your best. Leave it all out on the “field.” What happens after that is up to the universe. Trust that it’s all going to work out how it should.
Before law school, I watched my stepdad practice by shadowing him. I did not do formal legal internships. I intended to go to law school and practice criminal defense with him, personal injury, and worker’s compensation law. Unfortunately, he passed away the year I was supposed to start law school. I took a year off to help my mom. I had to change course and forge my own path. Now, as a sexual assault lawyer, I can’t imagine being a criminal defense lawyer; it’s not who I am. Everything worked out exactly how it was meant to. I always tell law students to practice an area of law they are passionate about. It makes all the difference. People feel when you care.
On my first day of law school, I excitedly walked into class. I was approached by a fellow male classmate who said, “I didn’t realize girls like you went to law school.” I asked him what girls like me meant. Smart? Driven? He responded, “You are pretty. Why come here?” That comment bothered me and made the Elle Woods in me want to fight harder. People would continue to try to get me to quit. Halfway into my first year of law school, one of the counselors pulled me into her office and said, “I don’t think law school is the right fit for you.” Again I was reminded that I wasn’t the right type of girl for law school. Finally, I dated a fellow student whose family happened to be financially wealthy. He suggested to me one day over lunch that I should quit and he would take care of me because I didn’t need to stress. I dumped him. I went on to graduate and become one of the most financially successful lawyers from my law school. These stories constantly remind me of the Cher quote when her mother advised that she not have a career and use her looks to marry a wealthy guy. “I don’t need to marry a rich man. I am one.”
I love being a sexual assault attorney. I wake up every day and am grateful that I get to be the voice of people who have been victimized. I advise anyone looking to practice law to find an area of law you are passionate about. Being a litigator is tough. It’s stressful, takes a toll on your body, and is not for the faint of heart. However, when you actually like your job, you keep going and are motivated to keep fighting. I am terrified of losing a case and letting my clients down. They have already been hurt. The last thing I want to do is make it worse. I am here to help and to get them justice. The fight fuels me.
With the integration of AI into the legal world, you really must hone your people skills. Everyone is going to submit a perfectly smart brief. How do you differentiate yourself? I think it comes down to how you argue, and how you speak to a jury or defense counsel or your client. Being you is going to make all the difference.
The biggest sacrifice I have made to be where I am today is missing out on time with my family. I do my best to juggle and be present with my kids when I can. However, when I was building the firm up, I worked all the time. I only saw them for about an hour or two a day. I missed out on swim lessons or dance classes after school. Things got better once I had associates and staff to delegate tasks. So now I can take time off when needed. I am home by 6:00 pm every night for dinner. We play games and I get to hear how their day went. While they do their homework, I finish working. It’s all about balance, but I can’t say I have mastered it yet. My kids understand that mommy is helping people. I want them to know that I stand for something and am doing my part to make the world a better place. I am also modeling for them how to show up in the world. You work hard, do a good job, give back, and be a good human.
No, thank you. I would pay one of my associates to do it. I’ll be on the soccer field with my kids.
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