Jessica Gopiao

Trials

Jessica brings meaningful trial experience to her practice. She has served on trial teams in three significant insurance recovery cases: a two-week federal trial in the Southern District of Florida involving extra-contractual and punitive damages claims arising from a catastrophic hurricane; a three-week federal trial in the Central District of California involving breach of contract and bad faith claims arising from a catastrophic wildfire; and a ten-day Florida state court trial involving extra-contractual and punitive damages. In those matters, she conducted direct and cross-examinations of expert and fact witnesses, earning praise from clients, partners, and the bench. This courtroom foundation gives her clients a credible litigation posture and genuine leverage at every phase of a dispute.

Transactional Insurance & Risk Management Advice 

Beyond coverage litigation, Jessica advises private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies on transactional insurance risk, including no-binding-indication letter (NBIL) negotiations, representations and warranty insurance on the buyer side, and insurance structuring in the context of acquisitions. She has been recommended across practice groups for her ability to integrate insurance recovery strategy into broader deal contexts. She also conducts proactive insurance audits for companies across manufacturing, media, and consumer products, identifying coverage gaps before disputes arise, and counsels clients on policy placement, renewal negotiations, and risk transfer strategy.

Disaster Response & Bicoastal Presence

Jessica was instrumental in disaster response efforts following the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires and Central Texas floods, co-leading pro bono insurance advisory teams that generated follow-on paid engagements. Admitted to practice in both California and Florida, two of the most disaster-prone states in the country, Jessica is well-equipped to provide bicoastal capabilities for clients facing catastrophic loss, business interruption, and regulatory-driven insurance disputes.

Thought Leadership & Speaking Engagements

She is a recognized thought leader in the policyholder-side insurance space, with published work spanning Law360, Law.com, Lexology, Directors & Boards, and the Insurance Coverage Law Center. She has spoken at Reed Smith’s Global Insurance Symposium on cyber warfare and the war exclusion, at the ABA Litigation Section on officer liability and D&O policy issues, and at the Women in Insurance Regional CLE Program.

Leadership & Community Involvement

In addition to maintaining a robust pro bono practice, Jessica serves her professional community in the following leadership capacities:

• Reed Smith LLP, Counsel Council: Southern California Representative
• Reed Smith LLP, Pro Bono Committee: Miami Co-Chair
• Reed Smith LLP, Associates Committee: Miami & Orange County Chair 
• Reed Smith LLP, Women’s Initiative Network: Miami Associate Liaison
• Reed Smith LLP, Insured Success Podcast: Attorney Coordinator
• American Bar Association, Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee: Co-Chair, D&O Subcommittee; Co-Vice Chair, Women in Insurance; Co-Chair, Young Lawyers
• California Minority Counsel Program: Annual Business Conference Planning Committee
• Orange County United Way: Advocacy Committee Member & Women United Member
• Orange County Women in Business Chamber of Commerce: Advisor
• Federal Bar Association, OC: Young Lawyers Planning Committee  
• Dress for Success Miami: Board of Directors
• Miami-Dade Bar Young Lawyers Section: Treasurer; Secretary; Board of Directors
• Florida Association of Women Lawyers, Miami-Dade Chapter, Women Making History: Co-Chair

Jessica’s accolades include the Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star designation in Insurance Coverage (2024, 2025), the Miami-Dade Bar Circle of Excellence for Insurance Litigation (one of only four attorneys recognized), Florida’s Top 36 Under 36 Lawyers, the Miami-Dade Bar Young Lawyers Section MVP of the Year (2024), and the Rising Star Asian American Excellence in Florida Award from the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of South Florida (2023).

Education & Early Experience

Jessica previously served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Karen E. Scott of the United States District Court for the Central District of California. She earned her J.D. from The George Washington University Law School, where she was a Dean’s Fellow, Executive Board Member of the Moot Court Board, Member of the Mock Trial Honors Board, and an Editor of the American Intellectual Property Law Association Quarterly Journal.