I am a life-long resident of Northern Virginia. I was born and raised in Fairfax County. I spent much of my summers with my grandparents on their dairy farm in Gainesville, Virginia. In 1998, I moved to The Town of Haymarket with my husband and our two children.

     I have worked in the legal field for the last 22 years. After taking a job as a receptionist with a law firm in Fairfax, Virginia, I decided to devote my life to the field of law. I diligently worked my way up to a managing paralegal. However, I knew I could go farther. While juggling a family of 4 and a full time career, I went back to school. I started at Northern Virginia Community College. Then, I attended George Mason University where I earned a Bachelors degree in the field of Criminology. Finally, I earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore.

     It has been a long and hard journey to finally becoming an attorney. I started at the bottom, with nothing more than a high school diploma and a desire to make a difference. I understand hard work, determination and the American dream. Nothing was handed to me, and along the way I learned to take nothing for granted.

-- Jessica R. Clay