Jessica E. Berlat is a senior associate in the Rains Lucia Stern St. Phalle & Silver, PC (“RLS”) Workers’ Compensation Practice Group. Jessica’s practice primarily focuses on the representation of first responders, police officers and firefighters. Within the workers’ compensation system, she has expertise in Labor Code presumptions, Northern California Alternative Dispute Resolution programs, and the coordination of workers’ compensation claims and retirement. She has successfully assisted many qualified clients through the disability retirement pension process. Jessica specializes in handling unique and complicated injuries that are often contested as being industrially related. Jessica was admitted to the State Bar of California in 2015. She began her legal career as a civil litigator before transitioning her practice to workers’ compensation. Before representing injured workers, Jessica worked defending employers before the California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. Primarily, she defended public entity clients including counties, cities, and school districts. This experience taught her how critical it was for injured workers to have an aggressive advocate and the importance of the workers’ compensation system for our first responders. It also fostered her enthusiasm in educating her clients on the workers’ compensation system. When litigating, Jessica believes “knowledge itself is power.”

For the last several years, Jessica has been focused on the representation of first responders, primarily representing police officers and firefighters who are injured on the job. She handles both specific injuries and cumulative trauma claims.

Jessica earned her J.D. from Golden Gate University School of Law, graduating in the top 4% of her class, with highest honors, as a member of the Jesse Carter Society, and with a specialization certificate in litigation. Jessica served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Magistrate Judge Elizabeth D. Laporte of the United States District Court. She also served as Executive Research Editor and Staff Writer for the Golden Gate University Law Review.

Jessica proudly serves on the board of Runestone Ranch, a nonprofit with a mission “to establish a proactive, peer-driven community that empowers first responders and their families to navigate the demands of their roles before challenges escalate.”

Jessica grew up in Tucson, Arizona. She now calls Sonoma County home. When she is not working, Jessica loves spending time traveling and exploring the bay area with her family.

Disclaimer: Any results set forth herein are based upon the facts of that particular case and do not represent a promise or guarantee.