Jessica Easterly Email & Phone Number

Review and negotiate vendor contracts involving areas including content license and syndication, SaaS, NDAs, adtech, newsroom grants, and salesProvide plain-language legal advice regarding contract questions, emerging issues such as AI, and business strategyCollaborate with internal stakeholders, contract managers, and data privacy team to advance their business objectivesCreate and manage contract templates (independent contractor, content licensing, etc.) and website and advertising terms and conditionsDevelop and fine-tune departmental processes such as risk management standards, a contract management system, and contract review workflowAssist in resolving contract disputes and coordinate vendor terminations

Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

Managed vendor relationships and contract reviews for the News and Audience departments, including AI, social media, and subscriber retention service providersNegotiated pricing and other business terms in tandem with internal stakeholdersConnected all departments (IT, Finance, Data Privacy, etc.) necessary to ensure proper approvals and project implementation

Barrington, Il

Primary transactional attorney to Pepper’s five subsidiary companies with a focus on reviewing and negotiating multi-million dollar agreements with companies using our construction servicesReviewed and negotiated subcontractor, non-disclosure, technology transfer, construction loan, and vendor agreements with the expectation of providing quick and thorough legal reviewAdvised operations personnel regarding day-to-day legal issues and participated in dispute resolutionsLed legal department digitization efforts, including the creation of a contract management systemCreated and managed tools and processes to maximize the legal department’s efficiency and effectivenessRepresented the company in administrative court hearings for permit and other City of Chicago violations

Syracuse, New York

Advised several not-for-profit and for-profit organizations regarding incorporation, federal and state tax exemption, and intellectual property. Conducted client interviews and worked with co-counsel to prepare memoranda, complete necessary documentation, and manage case files.

Syracuse, New York

Conduct legal research in the areas of property, wills and trusts, and communications law. Contribute to and edit an article regarding property interests in the Underground Railroad. Prepare for a panel on media mergers.

Researched in the areas of copyright, media, and advertising law. Reviewed contracts between outside vendors and Tribune’s newspapers and entities. Drafted memos detailing performance rights licensing, employee classifications in Texas, Communications Decency Act, and laws governing native advertising.

Avon, Oh

Assisted with research and preparation for cases involving business and securities regulations litigation. Drafted objections to subpoenas and aided in the preparation of motions for a bankruptcy case.

Assist the Clerk of Court in preparing cases and ensuring court record organization. Observe Judge Darrel Bilancini and prosecutors. Maintain a running list of court-appointed attorneys and bond agencies. Engage in long-term projects of revamping the probation recordation process and assessing validity of warrants.

Oversaw a corridor of 36 women in a residence hall of over 300 first year students in the Explore Miami Living Learning Communities. Created programs and bulletin boards to support the Residential Curriculum and mediated issues that arose in the hall to help support residents in making positive academic and social decisions while at Miami University.

UA for COM 143: Introduction to Media Studies. Led two small break out sessions of twelve students and worked with a diverse team of other UAs.

Independently researched for the publication, 51%: Women & the Future of Politics. Collected statements from female veterans and LGBT community members. Organized qualitative answers from a national survey about female involvement in politics. Used social media for outreach to organizations and individuals.

Oxford, Oh

Oversaw an Executive Board of 10 individuals, the General Assembly, and community councils. Collaborated with other organizations and departments. Represented Miami University in the National Association of College and University Residence Halls. Received the Governance Organization of the Year award.

Miami University

Acted as the main liaison between the Residence Hall Association and the Associated Student Government. Addressed student concerns regarding on-campus life and pursued the on-campus initiatives of ASG. Sat on various committees including Student Affairs Council and the Student Community Relations Commission.

Juris Doctor (J.D.), Cum Laude

Activities and Societies: Syracuse University Law Review, Peer Leader (Tutor), Admitted Student Day Volunteer

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Mass Communication, Diplomacy & Global Politics

Activities and Societies: Residence Hall Association, Associated Student Government, Resident Assistant in a First Year Residence Hall.

Education record