Attorneys
Emily Adams
Partner
Freyja Johnson
Partner
Sara Pfrommer
Appellate Attorney, Of Counsel
Rachel Phillips Ainscough
Appellate Attorney
Heather Ellison
Appellate Attorney
Anna Grigsby
Appellate Attorney
Jessica Holzer
Appellate Attorney
Hannah Leavitt-Howell
Appellate Attorney
Mikayla Irvin
Appellate Attorney
MJ Townsend
Appellate Attorney
Brittany Urness
Appellate Attorney
Jessica is an appellate attorney who has worked on all sides of the appellate process, representing both the State of Utah and criminal defendants in criminal appeals, and working for the appellate judiciary. Jessica also has experience in trial court litigation, which informs her appellate work. She values having her clients feeling heard and appreciates the opportunity to be a guide through the appellate process. She loves examining the law and ensuring that it is applied without error.
Before joining The Appellate Group, Jessica clerked for Judge Ryan D. Tenney at The Utah Court of Appeals. During law school, Jessica worked for the Utah Attorney General in the Criminal Appeals division, and externed for Judge Dustin B. Pead in the United States District Court, District of Utah, and the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s office.
Jessica has a master’s degree in music and spent a decade working as a music therapist, focusing on using music to improve mental health. When she isn’t working, she is usually daydreaming about her next meal, researching local restaurants, trying new recipes, or exploring.
Education
S.J. Quinney College of Law, University of Utah
J.D., with honors
Associate Managing Editor, Utah Law Review
Arizona State University
M.M., Music Therapy, summa cum laude
Utah State University
B.S., Music Therapy & Journalism, magna cum laude
Clerkships
Utah Court of Appeals, Judge Ryan D. Tenney
Admissions
Utah
Awards
Outstanding Achievement Award, Making a Murderer seminar (2021)
Professional Involvement
Appellate Roster for Indigent Criminal Appeals
Women Lawyers of Utah
Appellate and Litigation sections of the Utah State Bar