Jessica Stern

Jessica is not currently accepting new clients, but recommends STERN Law, LLC for crimmigration legal services.

Jessica Stern founded STERN Law, LLC in 2013. She has been a practicing criminal defense lawyer since 2008, with a focus on the defense of non-U.S. citizens since 2012 and developed the niche practice of Crimmigration Law. In July 2023, STERN Law was acquired by Attorney Constance Wannamaker, principal of C.R. Wannamaker Law, LLC.  Constance Wannamaker is the official, principal owner, doing business as (“dba”) “STERN Law, LLC,” assuming responsibility for the firm’s client matters with legal services performed by our existing STERN Law team. Jessica currently provides consulting support to the firm, in an Of-Counsel capacity. 

Starting in college, Jessica never thought beyond being a public defender, where she served Fulton County, GA residents from 2008-2011). Then, she was quite happy as the associate of 2 stellar federal white collar defense lawyers who opened her eyes to a new world (Kish & Lietz, LLC 2011-2013).  When she started STERN Law, it was simply because she noticed a need. She couldn’t see beyond the countless number of noncitizens who were left in the dust and needed complex legal support desperately. The need kept growing, and she kept serving that need, managing STERN Law as it grew. Jessica is so proud that STERN Law will keep serving that need for years to come. 

Jessica is especially grateful that our STERN Law team will continue on as employees of Constance Wannamaker, with their support and understanding for Jessica’s decisions over the years. This is the team who works with STERN Law’s clients day-in-and day-out. For years, Jessica has propped them up and shared in the accolades and successes equally with them, because we can do so much more good as a team. They will ensure that STERN Law continues to deliver the quality representation that they community has grown to expect. 

Jessica maintains an expertise in CrImmigration Law and will continue to offer this knowledge as the years go on.  She is extremely knowledgeable about post-conviction relief options for non-U.S. citizens and enjoys counseling criminal defense attorneys through the Padilla Immigration Consequences analysis.

Jessica is admitted to the Bar in the State of Georgia, the Georgia Court of Appeals, the Georgia Supreme Court, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Jessica is also admitted to practice before all Immigration Courts, the United States District Court in the Northern and Southern Districts of Georgia, with pro hac vice admission to various federal courts across the country.  She’s an active member of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (GACDL) and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), serving as her local chapter’s Chair of the ICE liaison Committee for many years.