Jessa M. Baker
Chief Executive Officer
Executive Team
As LP’s Chief Executive Officer, Jessa leads the firm’s business and operational functions. She focuses on implementing the firm’s strategic plans and oversees the firm’s talent, finance, technology, and marketing/business development functions. Offering fresh perspectives, finely-honed skills, and practical wisdom, she ensures that LP continues to guide the industry standard for exceptional client experience.
Clients and colleagues alike appreciate Jessa’s versatility, creativity, and thoughtful leadership. She builds strong relationships with attorneys and staff to ensure they provide clients with outstanding client service.
Before joining LP, Jessa was Chief Operating Officer at Applegate & Thorne-Thomsen, P.C. and a consultant to law firms in the U.S., Caribbean and Latin America, advising on strategy development, mergers, governance, talent structure design, compensation systems, financial planning, client service and retention strategies, business development, and process improvement initiatives.
Jessa earned her M.B.A. from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, J.D. from University of Wisconsin Law School, and B.S., magna cum laude, from Vanderbilt University.
Additional Information
Education & Admissions
Education
- Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, M.B.A.
- University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D.
- Vanderbilt University, B.S., magna cum laude
Memberships
- PilotLegis, Chair, Member of the Board of Directors and Membership and Standards Committee
Q&A
What was your very first job?
My first job was waking at 4:30 am to inspect and remove invasive aquatic plants from fishing trailers at the boat launch in my hometown of White Bear Lake, Minnesota. I learned it takes a lot of grit for a 14-year-old girl to come between a fisherman and his morning routine, and that I have a strong dislike for lake weeds.Who is your mentor and what have you learned from them?
My biggest mentor is my Grandmother, who grew up on a farm, started working at a bank as a secretary after high school and ascended to become the organization’s first female Executive Vice President. The first time I saw the Statue of Liberty was from a Wall Street conference room when I tagged along as she directed a board meeting. She taught me the importance of resilience, tenacity, hard work, and family.What is one thing someone would be surprised to know about you?
On a dare I once ate a live earthworm on stage as a counselor at Boggy Creek, a camp for children with serious medical illnesses founded by actor Paul Newman and general Norman Schwarzkopf.What is your favorite month of the year and why?
Both of my daughters were born in April so it’s a special month of celebration for our family. I love balancing my appreciation of the season’s final snowfall with the anticipation of spring ahead.