Jessica M. Kramer joined Erhard & Payette in 2011 after operating a solo practice in rural Dane County. Jessica proudly combines her strong work ethic and personable demeanor in effectively representing clients. Jessica assists both individual and business clients in the areas of employment law and litigation. She advises clients regarding terminations, unemployment insurance, human resources compliance, and contracts. She also litigates disputes before courts and administrative agencies involving contracts, employment discrimination, payment of wages, fraud, misrepresentation, personal injuries, and other civil matters. Jessica has brought matters involving wage claims, wrongful termination, worker's compensation, personal injuries, and breach of contract to successful resolution without the requirement of a trial. Jessica utilizes her years of experience in courtrooms, administrative hearings, depositions, settlement negotiations, and interviews, as well as her strong writing and communication skills, to best meet the needs of her clients.

Jessica received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2000 and her Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2004. While in law school, Jessica interned for a Dane County Circuit Court judge and participated in a health law externship as well as the Unemployment Compensation Appeals Clinic. Since law school, Jessica has practiced at both large and small law firms, as well as in-house at a human resources outsourcing company. Jessica is admitted to practice before all Wisconsin state courts, the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin, and the United States Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit.

In addition to serving her clients, Jessica spends her time serving as a volunteer in local organizations. Jessica is a member of the Government Affairs Committee of the Greater Madison Area chapter of the Society for Human Resources Management. Jessica assists the Committee in providing the GMA SHRM membership with information and education regarding the legislative process and pending legislation at both the state and federal levels. Jessica has also been a volunteer on the Government Relations Committee of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Wisconsin Chapter since 2002 and currently serves as Co-Chair of the Committee. She enjoys advocating on behalf of those with MS and helping educate others on the legislative process and advocacy. Jessica has also been a guest instructor at the University of Wisconsin Law School. A Wisconsin native, Jessica is an avid fan of the Packers, Badgers, and Brewers.

Jessica also enjoys giving presentations and writing articles for publication regarding relevant legal and business topics. Some of Jessica's recent presentations and articles include the following:

Presentations

• Unemployment Insurance: What Employers Need to Know, hosted by Keller Williams Realty, December 2010
• The Legislative Process 101 and How HR Can Influence It, Greater Madison Area Society for Human Resources Management, May 2010
• Advocacy 101: The Legislative Process, National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Wisconsin Chapter, February 2010
• Unemployment Insurance: What Employers Need to Know, Johnson Creek Chamber of Commerce, September 2009
• How a Bill Becomes a Law, National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Wisconsin Chapter, 2006-2008

Articles

• Debate: Proposal Giving 16 Hours of "School Leave": Proposal Reinforces the Importance of Family in Wisconsin, Greater Madison Area Society for Human Resources Management, HR InTouch, March 2010
• Debate: Regulating Employers' Monitoring of Employees' Electronic Mail: The Proposal is Overly Burdensome for Wisconsin's Employers, Greater Madison Area Society for Human Resources Management, HR InTouch, June 2009
• It's Critical for Employers to Understand New COBRA Rules, Capital Region Business Journal, May 2009
• Proposed Law Could Mean Greater Exposure for Wisconsin Employers, Greater Madison Area Society for Human Resources Management, HR InTouch, May 2009