Jessica E. Leaven

Jessica E. Leaven, a partner at Grimes Teich Anderson, is dedicated to securing justice for clients dealing with sexual harassment, discrimination, Family and Medical Leave Act issues, and workplace retaliation. Her practice is centered on employment law, workers' compensation, and personal injury.

Since beginning her legal career in 2001, Jessica has successfully litigated cases in both state and federal courts, as well as before the North Carolina Industrial Commission. Her extensive appellate experience includes work before the North Carolina Supreme Court, North Carolina Court of Appeals, and North Carolina Industrial Commission. Notably, she achieved a favorable ruling from the North Carolina Supreme Court in a case under the North Carolina Whistleblower Act.

Jessica has handled a diverse array of employment law cases, including those involving sexual harassment, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Retaliatory Employment Discrimination Act (REDA), and wage and hour class and collective actions. She is actively involved in the legal community as an at-large member of the Executive Committee of the Buncombe County Bar and has served as the past Chair of the North Carolina Bar Association's Labor and Employment Section.

Her contributions extend to the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, where she has chaired the Employment Law Section and presented at Continuing Legal Education seminars. Jessica has also led the WNC Chapter of the NC Association of Women Attorneys and contributed to the Board of Directors of the NC Association of Women Attorneys.

Jessica's professional excellence has been recognized by her inclusion in Business North Carolina's Legal Elite in Employment Law in 2019 and 2017. She has also been listed in North Carolina Super Lawyers® from 2017 to 2020, and in the North Carolina Super Lawyers® "Rising Stars" from 2011 to 2015.