Jessica advises a wide variety of clients at every stage of the litigation process. She approaches her cases practically and with a sharp focus on achieving results, whether she is providing legal advice, negotiating a settlement or litigating in the courtroom.
Jessica’s litigation practice encompasses employment law, professional discipline, commercial litigation, defamation and public law. She has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario as well as various administrative tribunals.
Prior to joining Paliare Roland, Jessica honed her litigation skills at a prominent litigation firm in Toronto and as a clerk at the Ontario Court of Appeal, where she assisted judges with dozens of criminal and civil appeals. Jessica received her law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2015 and graduated as the silver medalist.
Jessica is active in her community. She was a long-time board member of West Scarborough Community Legal Services, a legal aid clinic, and Sojourn House, a refugee shelter and settlement agency. Before attending law school, Jessica coordinated civic engagement programs for a United Way member agency in Scarborough.
Jessica is currently a volunteer for Pro Bono Ontario.
Education
- LawVision Group (2017) , Legal Project Management
- Osgoode Hall Law School, J.D., 2015
- London School of Economics, MSc (Conflict Studies), 2009
- University of King's College, BA (Honours - International Development Studies), 2008
Bar Admissions
Ontario, 2016
Professional Affiliations
The Advocates' Society
Canadian Bar Association
Ontario Bar Association
Representative Work
- Abbasbayli v. Fiera Foods Company, 2021 ONCA 95 – Counsel to the respondent employer in an appeal of a decision on a motion to strike in a wrongful termination action. The appeal clarified the law concerning director liability for unpaid wages.
- Ontario (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario) v. Kunynetz, 2019 ONSC 4300 – Counsel to the appellant physician in a successful appeal before the Divisional Court that overturned the revocation decision of the College of Physicians and Surgeons and reinstated the physician’s licence to practice medicine.
- Rutman v. Rabinowitz, 2016 ONSC 5864 – Counsel to the successful respondent (plaintiff) in an appeal concerning Internet defamation. The Court of Appeal clarified the law of concerted action liability and upheld a very large damages awards for what it characterized as a prolonged, persistent and vicious Internet campaign.
Awards and Honours
Recognized by Best Lawyers - Ones to Watch - Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Health Care Law
Publications and Presentations
- P E Veel, J S Roher & A Abdulla, “Rule 53: Evidence at Trial” in Noel Semple, ed, Civil Procedure and Practice in Ontario (CanLII, forthcoming in 2021).
- J S Roher, “Zoning Out Discrimination: Working Towards Housing Equality in Ontario” (March 2016) 25 Journal of Law and Social Policy 26.
- N Dalla Guarda, M Khalid & J Roher, “Introduction: Symposium on Transnational Criminal Law” (September 2015) 6:1 Transnational Legal Theory 1.