By Julie Freer
Legal News
Growing up in the small town of Stanton in mid-Michigan, Jessica Zimbelman was the middle child of two public school teachers who inspired her to stay curious and dream big.
“They instilled a love of learning and a curiosity in me, in combination with a deep sense of empathy and commitment to serving others,” said Zimbelman, deputy director at the State Appellate Defender Office. “My other inspirations included Matt Nokes, as I was mildly obsessed with the Detroit Tigers. As for what I wanted to do when I grew up, well, I had a simple wish: to be the President of the United States.”
This fall, her presidential aspirations will be put to good use as she begins her year-long term as president of the Ingham County Bar Association, an organization she’s been involved with for nearly 10 years and credits with helping her meet amazing people in different areas of the law.
“I love being a lawyer, and I love talking to other people who also love being lawyers,” said Zimbelman. “Also, the support I get from the board is much appreciated. When I experienced the sudden loss of a family member, I was able to reach out to my friends on the board for lawyer referrals in a completely different state and in a different area of the law.”
The ICBA has signature events throughout the year that help members network and stay connected.
“At the Annual Dinner, we get to give awards to people for being awesome, so there is not much that tops that,” said Zimbelman. “At Meet the Judges, we get to talk with many judges—including Supreme Court Justices—in a casual environment. At the Shrimp Dinner, well, need I say more? It’s a Shrimp Dinner!
“As I look forward to the year ahead, one of my goals is to work to expand membership benefits to public sector legal staff, to recent law school graduates, and for law school students,” continued Zimbelman. “What I want people to know about ICBA is that we are here to help, so reach out!”
Zimbelman earned her undergraduate degree at Hope College, where she spent a semester in Washington, D.C. working on Capitol Hill for a U.S. Senator and for Human Rights Watch, which works to stop human rights abuses worldwide.
“I’ve always loved politics, and law school was always in my mind as an option,” said Zimbelman. “After undergrad, I worked on a political campaign and then worked for 3.5 years in the Michigan House of Representatives as a Legislative Aide.”
Zimbelman chose Michigan State University College of Law so she could continue working in the State House. During law school, she tried a lot of different things: an internship with the UAW, one with the Court of Appeals Research Division, a summer with a big plaintiff’s law firm, law review, and moot court.
“What stands out to me at MSU Law is my time with Moot Court,” recalls Zimbelman. “I loved advocating, and even made it to the finals in a competition in New York City. From that point, I knew I loved appellate law.”
Her first job after law school was at the Legislative Corrections Ombudsman Office, a nonpartisan legislative agency responsible for investigating complaints and monitoring conditions in the state prison system.
“My time with the Ombudsman’s office confirmed that my passion is to advocate for incarcerated people, through public policy changes and through the law,” said Zimbelman.
Since 2012, Zimbelman has worked for the State Appellate Defender Office in a variety of roles, including as Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System (MAACS) Litigation Support Counsel, an Assistant Defender in the Direct Appeals and in the Juvenile Lifer Units, as a Managing Attorney of Direct Appeals, and now, as Deputy Director of the Public Defender Division.
In 2021, Zimbelman was awarded the Distinguished Brief Award from Cooley Law Review for her brief to the Michigan Supreme Court on behalf of Paul Betts, who challenged the constitutionality of retroactively applying Michigan’s 2011 Sex Offenders Registration Act (SORA).
In August of 2021, after nine years of litigation, the Michigan Supreme Court decision ruled that applying the 2011 SORA to people who committed their crimes before 2011 is unconstitutional because it acts as an illegal retroactive punishment.
“I love everything about SADO and consider it the best place to practice law in Michigan,” said Zimbelman. “What I enjoy most about my job are my clients, and working hard to uncover the injustices they have experienced. I am inspired to advocate for them—and for all Michiganders—so the promises of the Constitutions are safeguarded for them, regardless of race or economic status.
“I love thinking creatively about how the law should work and then arguing for those changes or applications,” Zimbelman declared. “I think what might surprise people about my job is the humanity of the people I represent. I’d like to think that wouldn’t be surprising, but I also know that people convicted of crimes are often looked at a certain way. My clients are people like all of us—more than a mistake they may have made.”
Zimbelman lives in Lansing with her husband - Alex Rossman, who works for the State Senate Democrats. The couple are parents to 8-year-old twin daughters. The family enjoys traveling in Michigan, with a particular love for Lake Michigan.
Legal News
Growing up in the small town of Stanton in mid-Michigan, Jessica Zimbelman was the middle child of two public school teachers who inspired her to stay curious and dream big.
“They instilled a love of learning and a curiosity in me, in combination with a deep sense of empathy and commitment to serving others,” said Zimbelman, deputy director at the State Appellate Defender Office. “My other inspirations included Matt Nokes, as I was mildly obsessed with the Detroit Tigers. As for what I wanted to do when I grew up, well, I had a simple wish: to be the President of the United States.”
This fall, her presidential aspirations will be put to good use as she begins her year-long term as president of the Ingham County Bar Association, an organization she’s been involved with for nearly 10 years and credits with helping her meet amazing people in different areas of the law.
“I love being a lawyer, and I love talking to other people who also love being lawyers,” said Zimbelman. “Also, the support I get from the board is much appreciated. When I experienced the sudden loss of a family member, I was able to reach out to my friends on the board for lawyer referrals in a completely different state and in a different area of the law.”
The ICBA has signature events throughout the year that help members network and stay connected.
“At the Annual Dinner, we get to give awards to people for being awesome, so there is not much that tops that,” said Zimbelman. “At Meet the Judges, we get to talk with many judges—including Supreme Court Justices—in a casual environment. At the Shrimp Dinner, well, need I say more? It’s a Shrimp Dinner!
“As I look forward to the year ahead, one of my goals is to work to expand membership benefits to public sector legal staff, to recent law school graduates, and for law school students,” continued Zimbelman. “What I want people to know about ICBA is that we are here to help, so reach out!”
Zimbelman earned her undergraduate degree at Hope College, where she spent a semester in Washington, D.C. working on Capitol Hill for a U.S. Senator and for Human Rights Watch, which works to stop human rights abuses worldwide.
“I’ve always loved politics, and law school was always in my mind as an option,” said Zimbelman. “After undergrad, I worked on a political campaign and then worked for 3.5 years in the Michigan House of Representatives as a Legislative Aide.”
Zimbelman chose Michigan State University College of Law so she could continue working in the State House. During law school, she tried a lot of different things: an internship with the UAW, one with the Court of Appeals Research Division, a summer with a big plaintiff’s law firm, law review, and moot court.
“What stands out to me at MSU Law is my time with Moot Court,” recalls Zimbelman. “I loved advocating, and even made it to the finals in a competition in New York City. From that point, I knew I loved appellate law.”
Her first job after law school was at the Legislative Corrections Ombudsman Office, a nonpartisan legislative agency responsible for investigating complaints and monitoring conditions in the state prison system.
“My time with the Ombudsman’s office confirmed that my passion is to advocate for incarcerated people, through public policy changes and through the law,” said Zimbelman.
Since 2012, Zimbelman has worked for the State Appellate Defender Office in a variety of roles, including as Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System (MAACS) Litigation Support Counsel, an Assistant Defender in the Direct Appeals and in the Juvenile Lifer Units, as a Managing Attorney of Direct Appeals, and now, as Deputy Director of the Public Defender Division.
In 2021, Zimbelman was awarded the Distinguished Brief Award from Cooley Law Review for her brief to the Michigan Supreme Court on behalf of Paul Betts, who challenged the constitutionality of retroactively applying Michigan’s 2011 Sex Offenders Registration Act (SORA).
In August of 2021, after nine years of litigation, the Michigan Supreme Court decision ruled that applying the 2011 SORA to people who committed their crimes before 2011 is unconstitutional because it acts as an illegal retroactive punishment.
“I love everything about SADO and consider it the best place to practice law in Michigan,” said Zimbelman. “What I enjoy most about my job are my clients, and working hard to uncover the injustices they have experienced. I am inspired to advocate for them—and for all Michiganders—so the promises of the Constitutions are safeguarded for them, regardless of race or economic status.
“I love thinking creatively about how the law should work and then arguing for those changes or applications,” Zimbelman declared. “I think what might surprise people about my job is the humanity of the people I represent. I’d like to think that wouldn’t be surprising, but I also know that people convicted of crimes are often looked at a certain way. My clients are people like all of us—more than a mistake they may have made.”
Zimbelman lives in Lansing with her husband - Alex Rossman, who works for the State Senate Democrats. The couple are parents to 8-year-old twin daughters. The family enjoys traveling in Michigan, with a particular love for Lake Michigan.
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