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Jessica Port
Senior Associate
Washington, DC
1775 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Suite 375
Washington DC 20006
TEL: (202) 899-4113
FAX: (612) 336-9100
{ mail } jport@zellelaw.com
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Practice Areas
Bar and Court Admissions
Education
Past Professional Experience

Jessica E. Port

Jessica is a senior associate in the firm’s Washington, DC office, where she focuses her practice on insurance coverage disputes, commercial litigation, and bad faith litigation. Jessica represents some of the world’s largest insurance companies in all aspects of coverage disputes, ranging from providing clients with coverage analyses to defending cases involving property damage, builder’s risk, business interruption, and bad faith claims in federal and state courts and administrative agencies throughout the country. Jessica has experience with all levels of litigation and dispute resolution, including discovery, depositions, motion practice, oral argument, appraisal, and mediation.

Prior to joining Zelle, Jessica was an associate at a law firm in Baltimore, Maryland from 2016-2020, where she focused on insurance coverage and defense, subrogation, and first- and third-party liability. Jessica also clerked for the Honorable Theresa M. Adams in the Circuit Court for Frederick County, Maryland.

In her spare time, Jessica enjoys running, hiking, and kayaking. Jessica is a certified P1-P3 Krav Maga instructor and is currently training for a marathon.

Representative Matters

Favorable ruling in the District of Columbia's highest court, affirming dismissal of business interruption claims arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Creative Consolidation, LLC D/B/A Masseria Restaurant, et al v. Erie Insurance Exchange, -- No. 22-CV-0950 --, 2022-CA-001109-B (D.C. Mar. 21, 2024).

Favorable appellate ruling on a matter of first impression before the D.C. Court of Appeals, affirming summary judgment in favor of insurers on COVID-19 business interruption claims. Rose's 1, LLC v. Erie Ins. Exch., -- A.3d -- , 2023 WL 2318152 (D.C. Mar. 2, 2023)

Favorable summary judgment ruling based on insured’s failure to comply with duties under the policy prior to filing suit. Gehani v. American Zurich Ins. Co., 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 203828 (U.S. District Court, District of Maryland 2017)

Currently involved in defending multiple property insurance carriers in ongoing litigation with entertainment and hospitality industry claims for lost income related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Articles & Presentations

“In Defense of the Insurance Adjuster: How to Navigate Written and Implied Duties”, PLRB Central Regional Adjusters Conference, St. Louis, MO, August 27-28, 2024, presenter

“In Defense of the Insurance Adjuster: How to Navigate Written and Implied Duties”, PLRB Western Regional Adjusters Conference, Anaheim, CA, June 25-26, 2024, presenter

"The Key Bridge Tragedy: What Loss of Income Coverages Will Apply?", April 1, 2024, co-author

“In Defense of the Insurance Adjuster: Defensively Navigating Written and Implied Duties”, PLRB Central Regional Adjusters Conference, Schaumberg, IL, September 13-14, 2023, presenter

“In Defense of the Insurance Adjuster: Defensively Navigating Written and Implied Duties”, at the PLRB 2023 Western Regional Adjusters Conference on June 27-28, 2023, in Allen, TX, presenter

"Is an Appraisal an Arbitration? Yes and No. Maybe. Sort of." Claims Journal, March 14, 2022, co-author

Professional Affiliations

Pro Bono Activities

Noteworthy

Named a Rising Star in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 as a top-rated insurance defense attorney by Super Lawyers 

Received the Martindale-Hubbell Platinum Client Champion Award in 2022, 2023, 2024

Received the Martindale-Hubbell Gold Client Champion Award in 2020, 2021 and 2022

Named a member of the Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023

Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, 2023

Selected for inclusion in Who’s Who in America in 2020

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