Our Team

Jessica's academic journey began at Otterbein University (Columbus, Ohio). She graduated summa cum laude with a major in Political Science/Government & triple minor in Psychology, Speech Communication, & Legal Studies. 

She continued her academic journey and pursued her passion for law at the HBU, North Carolina Central University School of Law (Durham, North Carolina). She graduated second in her class with highest honors, earning a Juris Doctor degree as well as a Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution, showcasing her training and talent in mediation and negotiation. 

In 2014, Jessica joined The Cooper Law Firm, P.C. (Virginia Beach, Virginia) to establish and lead its successful family law division. Her exceptional legal skills and dedication soon propelled her to become a Partner and later the Senior Vice President of the firm. In March 2023, her partner became a Judge & Jessica seized the opportunity to launch her own firm, Resilience Law Group, PLLC, where she continues to provide top-notch legal counsel and representation in all areas of family law.

Jessica has developed expertise in military family matters & is a strong supporter of service members & their families. Her entire family, including her Husband of 15 years, is military. 

Jessica is also uniquely knowledgeable about LGBTQ+ family matters and has been a trailblazer in this field. In 2015, she was among the first attorneys in Hampton Roads to successfully file and obtain a divorce for a same-sex couple & establish the parentage of a child conceived via assisted conception during a same-sex marriage.

Jessica's exceptional legal services have earned her numerous accolades and recognitions, including being named to Virginia Business's "Legal Elite" and Super Lawyers "Rising Star" lists. She has been honored with the Walter E. Hoffman Community Service Award from the Norfolk Portsmouth Bar Association and recognized as one of Inside Business' "Top Forty under 40" professionals. Coastal Virginia Magazine has recognized her as a "Top Lawyer" in the fields of Adoption, Marital, and Family Law, and Virginia Lawyers Weekly has inducted her among the "Influential Women of Law," "Go To Lawyers" for Family Law, and "Leaders in the Law."

Resilience Law Group, PLLC has earned the Better Business Bureau (BBB) 2024 Spark Award and Coastal Virginia Magazine (COVA) Readers' Choice Award as "Best Family Law Firm" in 2024 and 2025! 

Jessica has a strong sense of civic duty and is active in her community. Visit the "Reputation & Involvement" page to learn more about her and the staff's engagements. 

Jessica lives in Chesapeake, VA, with her husband, four children, and a rescue dog and cat. She loves wine, travel, exercise, nature, and thrift store shopping. One of her guilty pleasures is watching home improvement shows on Sunday morning with coffee (and then making to-do lists for her husband). She dislikes dishonesty,  mosquito bumps, hiccups, and washing dishes. 

Jessica's dedication to her clients, her passion for family law, and her commitment to making a difference in her community make her an exceptional attorney at Resilience Law Group, PLLC. Clients can trust in her expertise, compassion, and unwavering support. She understands well the stress and struggles clients face and can educate, advocate, and empower her clients to be resilient throughout the legal process.

See below to learn more about the services Jessica offers and what clients say about her services. We invite you to schedule a consultation to discuss your specific needs and goals. 

Matthew’s commitment to advocacy is shaped in part by his personal experiences. Raised by a mother who struggled with heroin addiction, he witnessed firsthand the profound effects that instability, addiction, and involvement with the legal system can have on individuals and families. Those experiences continue to inform his work and reinforce his dedication to representing clients with dignity, compassion, and an understanding that no person should be defined solely by the circumstances that brought them into his office.

Before becoming an attorney, Matthew served nearly a decade in the United States Navy as a Navy Diver. A graduate of the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center, he participated in demanding operations involving salvage, demolition, recovery missions, and anti-terrorism explosive detection dives. His military service instilled the discipline, resilience, attention to detail, and composure under pressure that he now brings to his legal practice.

Matthew earned an Associate of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from American Military University, a Juris Master in American Legal Studies from Liberty University, and his Juris Doctor from Mitchell Hamline School of Law. During law school, he received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Criminal Law and Statutory Interpretation.

In his representation of clients, Matthew values candor, preparation, and accessibility. He believes clients deserve to understand where their case stands, what options are realistically available, and the potential consequences of each decision. His approach combines direct advocacy with genuine concern for the individual and family behind every case.

Outside of the office, Matthew lives in Chesapeake, Virginia, with his partner, their three children, two Great Danes, Odin and Murphy, and a small flock of chickens. He enjoys spending time with his family, coaching and playing sports with his children, weightlifting, gathering around campfires, and the occasional family dance party.

At Resilience Law Group, PLLC, Matthew is committed to providing grounded, reliable representation to clients navigating criminal and family law matters, helping them move forward with greater clarity, stability, and confidence.

During her time in public service, Theresa gained invaluable experience in case processing and developed a comprehensive understanding of Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court proceedings.

In 2018, Theresa decided to transition from public service and joined Brian A. Thomasson PLC as the office manager. She joined Resilience Law Group, PLLC, in April 2023. Theresa's tenure in the private sector has given her a deep understanding of a law firm's inner workings, enabling her to support attorneys and clients alike effectively.

With her combined experience in the public sector and private practice, Theresa possesses a unique ability to explain complex legal procedures to clients clearly and concisely. Her expertise in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court proceedings allows her to guide clients through the process with confidence and ease, alleviating any concerns they may have along the way.

Theresa was selected as a member of the 2025 Class of Virginia Lawyers Weekly's Unsung Legal Heroes, which recognizes the state's most talented and dedicated legal support professionals for their dedication to duty and the positive influence.

Theresa resides in Norfolk with her husband of nearly twenty years, and together they have raised two adult children. A beloved and grumpy old dog completes their happy family. Theresa is an avid reader, indulging in a wide range of fiction genres. She also finds solace in outdoor activities such as kayaking, hiking, and bicycling, which she enjoys alongside her husband. Lately, she has taken up Frisbee Golf, although she modestly admits that a professional career in the sport seems unlikely. On days when she feels inspired, Theresa loves experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. However, her culinary adventures are subject to her daily whims. It is worth noting that Theresa has an aversion to caterpillars, snakes, and Mondays.

Theresa's multifaceted background, legal expertise, and genuine commitment to her clients make her an invaluable asset to Resilience Law Group, PLLC. Clients can rely on her professionalism, thoroughness, and ability to navigate the legal landscape with utmost precision.

Known for being approachable, calm, and easy to work with, Katie is passionate about ensuring individuals have access to quality legal representation. She believes every client deserves thoughtful guidance, strong advocacy, and the best possible outcome for their unique situation. Consequently, her personal values align greatly with Resilience Law Group PLLC's mission. 

Outside of the office, Katie is a proud mother of three, grandmother of one, and devoted dog mom. In her free time, she enjoys gardening (she's a Master Gardener and tasked by Jessica to revive sad plants at the office), cooking, and tackling home organization projects.