The members of the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association (NJWLA) extend their heartfelt congratulations to NJWLA’s Past-President the Honorable Jessica S. Allen on her swearing in as a United States Magistrate Judge for the District of New Jersey on February 17, 2021.

Judge Allen has had a distinguished career in both the public and private sectors. Immediately before joining the bench, Judge Allen was a partner at the Killian Firm, P.C., where she concentrated on employment, consumer fraud and insurance matters. She also has served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of New Jersey and an Assistant Attorney General in the New Jersey Office of Attorney General. She also argued before the New Jersey Supreme Court on behalf of the New Jersey Office of Attorney General in the landmark employment case, Aguas v. State of New Jersey, 220 N.J. 494 (2015). Judge Allen clerked for United States District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo as well as former United States Magistrate Judge Ronald J. Hedges.

Judge Allen has also served as a role model and leader for women in the law and continues to demonstrate the heights we can all achieve through hard work and perseverance. Judge Allen served as President of the NJWLA from 2015-2016 and was awarded the 2020 Private Sector Award which will be presented at the NJWLA’s 13th Annual Women’s Initiative and Leaders in the Law (WILL) Platinum Virtual Gala on March 23, 2021. This award is bestowed upon individuals for their exceptional achievements, their sustained contributions to gender equity challenges and other issues unique to women in the legal profession.   Judge Allen was also the recipient of NJWLA’s Professional Lawyer of the Year Award in 2014.

The NJWLA is thrilled to congratulate Judge Allen on her appointment and reaching this well-deserved accomplishment in her impressive and remarkable legal career.