Jessica Hodge
Associate
Jessica is a lawyer in our personal compensation team in Brisbane. She graduated from the University of Queensland in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts/Laws (Hons). Jessica credits her academic achievement to the Australian Veterans’ Children’s Assistance Trust, who generously financially assisted her whilst at university.
Whilst at university, Jessica competed in prestigious national and international mooting competitions. She won the University of Queensland’s witness examination competition in 2014 and has adjudicated this competition since. She is a self-confessed nerd, whose legal interests include criminal law/procedure, liability insurance and evidence law.
Jessica started competing in speech and drama competitions when she was 4 years old. Before “retiring” 20 years later, she won a number of prizes, including the speech and drama championship and aggregate at the Queensland Eisteddfod in 2012. She completed a Diploma in Speaking and Communicating with the Australian College of Music in 2014.
Jessica’s legal career started in 2012 when she started working as a barrister’s clerk/research assistant during her university holidays. Since then, she has worked exclusively in litigation, including as a defendant insurance lawyer.
Jessica works in the personal compensation team at Hall Payne Lawyers. She assists clients with:
- workers’ compensation claims (across Queensland, Northern Territory and Comcare schemes);
- Workers’ Compensation Regulator appeals;
- motor vehicle accident claims;
- public and product liability personal compensation claims; and
- applications under the National Redress Scheme for victims of institutionalised sexual abuse.
These matters include claims for both physical and psychiatric injuries.
She strives to always provide clients with practical and commercial advice. She is passionate about doing her best for her clients and prides herself on being down-to-earth and approachable.
Outside of work, Jessica spends her time looking after her “little zoo”. She rescues and keeps companion parrots, the majority of whom have health or behavioural issues resulting from abuse or neglect. She firmly believes that every parrot deserves to have the best possible life. She also volunteers with her husband for the St Vincent de Paul Society, conducting home visits and distributing financial assistance to the less fortunate.
Reviews for Hall Payne Brisbane
Incredibly supportive, professional, competent and individualised services provided by this firm. I can’t recommend them highly enough. Juliana and Linda M have provided invaluable support that went above and beyond while also providing me with the best representation I could hope for. Highly recommended
When I had some difficulty with a work issue I had to use a Lawyer for the first time and was recommended Kris Birch was wonderful. She was honest and gave me the advice and spent time talking me through all the finer details of the issue.
Kris helped me get the best result and would definitely recommend Kris and if I need to, I would definitely use her legal brain again. Thank You Kris
5 star review
Leanne has helped my family and me through the AAT review. She has displayed professionalism in her work and always offered true and genuine advices. Her experiences with the AAT has also helped and guided us in many possible ways that you can imagine. It would be daunting without her assistance along the way. Great thank you to Leanne and her firm.
After injuring my back at work, Hall Payne Lawyers helped me to lodge two TPD claims with two different insurers; both claims were accepted and paid. Without their assistance, I do not believe either claim would have been successful.
When making a TPD claim, there are many pitfalls and traps for the uninitiated to fall into. Simple mistakes can lead to a claim being delayed or rejected. In my opinion, it really is worth paying for the assistance of an experienced professional (especially when their services are offered on a "no win, no fee" basis). Also, in light of the amount of work they put into my claims, I believe Hall Payne's professional fees were very reasonable.
I am highly satisfied with the assistance I received from Hall Payne Lawyers. I have no hesitation in recommending their services to anyone ill or injured who is considering lodging a TPD claim.
The whole team at Hall Payne Lawyers were exceptional. From first enquirey, legal support and follow up, plus acounts. Jennifer was very helpful and gave me advice that resulted in a successfull outcome early in a dispute and helped avoid further heartache.
I would highly recommend their service as early as possible in any dispute to set you on the right path. Thankyou to the whole team.
I engaged Hall Payne Lawyers to represent me in my employment dispute. Ellie Bassingthwaite was faultless in her advice, her patience and her genuine care and concern for me as her client. I would have no hesitation in recommending Hall Payne or in using them again if I find myself in a similar situation.
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Recent Blogs by Jessica
Hall Payne successful in obtaining critical evidence to support victim of workplace bullying
Amendments to Queensland workers’ compensation laws are a positive step for workers
I’ve suffered a psychological injury at work. What do I do?