Jessica B. Palvino

Partner, Austin
512.236.2335
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Biography

Jessica Palvino advises employers, plan sponsors, plan administrators, and tax-exempt entities on the ever-changing world of employee benefits, executive compensation, and tax obligations. As a former in-house counsel for the largest public retirement system in Texas, she understands the operational challenges related to plan sponsorship and administration, and is well-versed in handling regulatory compliance issues and corrections to plan administration errors.

Jessica’s unique background in litigation provides a foundation for her risk-based approach to advising clients. Prior to specializing in employee benefits and executive compensation, she tried multiple cases to jury verdict and administrative hearings to final proposals for decision for both plaintiffs and defendants.

Employers rely on Jessica for assistance in a wide range of employee benefits and executive compensation matters, including design, compliance, and tax issues related to health and welfare plans, retirement plans, deferred compensation plans, stock option and equity compensation plans, incentive bonus plans, severance and employment agreements, and transaction bonus or change-in-control plans.

Education

B.A., Texas A&M University
J.D., cum laude, Baylor Law School
L.L.M., Taxation – Executive Program, New York University School of Law

Bar Admissions

Texas

  • The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2023-2025
    • Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, 2025
    • Tax Law, 2023-2025
  • Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2014-2016
  • Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, Austin Bar Foundation and Austin Bar Association, 2015

  • Speaker, “What Every Tax Lawyer Needs to Know When Advising Michael Scott About Equity Compensation,” Tax Law in a Day Conference (February 2024)
  • Speaker, “Employee and Independent Contractor Classification Issues,” Tax Law 2023: Tax Law in the Digital Age Conference (August 2023)
  • Speaker, “Be Friends With Your Benefits: Five Things Every Corporate Counsel Should Know About Their Company’s Benefits Plan,” The University of Texas School of Law’s (UT Law CLE) 45th Annual Corporate Counsel Institute (May 2023)
  • Speaker, “What Every Attorney Needs to Know About Deferred Compensation: A 409A Primer,” Tax Law in a Day Conference (February 2023)
  • Speaker, “What Every Employment Lawyer Needs to Know: How ERISA Can Benefit You,” The University of Texas School of Law’s (UT Law CLE) Studio Webcast, (December 2022)

  • Sobering Center, Director and Chair of the Board of Directors
  • City of Austin Charter Review Commission, Chair, 2024
  • State Bar of Texas – Tax Section, Vice-Chair of the Employee Benefits Committee
  • Thinkery, Past Director and Past Chair, 2013-2018
  • City of Austin Charter Review Commission, Chair, 2018

May 30, 2025
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Best Lawyers 2025 edition graphic - 306 attorneys recognized, 81 specialty areas, 75 Ones to Watch, and 9 Lawyers of the Year

August 15, 2024
Attorney News

‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 306 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2025 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 75 “Ones to Watch”

The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 306 Jackson Walker attorneys across 81 specialty practice areas in its 2025 edition, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 75 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (75 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (55 attorneys) and the addition of 27 attorneys as Best Lawyers.

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‘Austin Monthly’ Lists 21 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among “Austin’s Top Attorneys” of 2024

Jackson Walker congratulates the 21 attorneys recognized among Austin Monthly’s list of “Austin’s Top Attorneys” for 2024. For recognition in the list, Austin attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer experienced counsel in one of 39 categories.

February 2, 2024
Speaking Engagements

Jessica Palvino and Alyca Garrison to Present at Tax Law in a Day Conference

Jackson Walker senior counsel Jessica B. Palvino and associate Alyca Garrison are scheduled to present during the Tax Law in a Day Conference, sharing key insights for tax lawyers advising on Equity Compensation Plans.

JW Diversity & Inclusion 2022 Report theme

August 24, 2023
Newsletters

JW Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter – August 2023

View Jackson Walker’s August 2023 Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.

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