Jessica Hodge – Dip.Comm, BA, LLB (Hons), GDLP, GDipLaw
Jess graduated from the University of Queensland in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts/Laws (Hons), generously supported by the Australian Veterans’ Children’s Assistance Trust – something she remains incredibly grateful for and credits in helping her to achieve the degrees.
While at university, Jess dove headfirst into mooting and represented UQ at national and international competitions. In 2014, she won UQ’s witness examination competition – a highlight that sparked a long-running passion for advocacy. Since then, she’s been a regular judge and mentor for witness examination competitions at UQ, State and national levels.
Admitted as a solicitor to the Supreme Court of Queensland and High Court of Australia in 2016, Jess began her legal career in commercial litigation before finding her niche in personal injuries. Since 2018, she has advocated for clients across a wide spectrum of matters in workers’ compensation (under multiple schemes), medical negligence, motor vehicle, and public/product liability.
Jess started at James Law in April 2024 and practices in medical negligence, Queensland workers’ compensation, motor vehicle and public liability matters. She is a proud law nerd with an unapologetic love of case law and deep dives into medical research – combine the two and she’s in her element.
She’s also the Secretary of the Management Committee of Basic Rights Queensland, a State-wide community legal centre that provides crucial advocacy and legal services in the areas of social security, disability discrimination, mental health and women’s employment rights.
In her spare time, Jess is wrangling her two chaotic rescue dogs, doting on her pet parrots, or meticulously dusting her ever-expanding collection of (currently) 137 Breyer model horses.
Qualifications
- 2012 – Diploma of Speaking and Communicating, Australian College of Music
- 2015 – Bachelor of Arts/Laws (Hons), The University of Queensland
- 2016 – Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice, College of Law
- 2023 – Graduate Diploma of Law, The University of Melbourne
Notable cases
- Oudyn and Australian Postal Corporation [2023] AATA 2730 – acted for Worker in Employer’s application to dismiss proceeding
- Northern Territory of Australia v Noaks [2023] NTCA 4 – acted for Worker in Employer’s appeal of Supreme Court decision
- Ryan & Anor v Dearden & Anor [2023] QCA 20 – acted for Third Party in Defendants’ appeal of Supreme Court decision
- Northern Territory of Australia v Noaks & Anor [2022] NTSC 61 – acted for Worker in Employer’s appeal of Work Health Court decision
- Dearden v Ryan & Ors [2022] QSC 111 – acted for Third Party in third-party proceedings brought by Defendants in the context of Plaintiff’s personal injury claim
- Noaks and Northern Territory of Australia [2022] NTWHC 003 – acted for Worker in appealing Employer’s decision to cease workers’ compensation entitlements
- Ryan & Anor v Dearden & Anor [2021] QCA 245 – acted for Third Party in Defendants’ appeal of Supreme Court decision regarding change of venue
- Mununggurr and Comcare [2020] FCA 1786; (2020) 173 ALD 50 – acted for Worker in appeal of Administrative Appeals Tribunal’s decision
- Riger and Commonwealth Bank of Australia Ltd [2020] AATA 3528 – acted for Worker in Employer’s objection to Tribunal’s direction to produce documents requested by Worker
Membership
- Queensland Law Society
- Australian Lawyers Alliance
- Basic Rights Queensland
- The University of Queensland Law Alumni Association
- Parrot Society of Australia
- Breyer Premier Collectors Club