Title: Senior Associate
Company: Underwood Scoggins LLC
Location: Cumming, Georgia, United States
Jessica G. Cantrell, Senior Associate at Underwood Scoggins LLC, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Lawyers for dedication, achievements and leadership in Land Use Zoning Law and Litigation.
Ms. Cantrell has established a distinguished career in the legal field, currently serving as a senior associate at Underwood Scoggins LLC in Cumming, Georgia. In this role, she collaborates with partner Josh Scoggins to address land use zoning litigation. Her responsibilities include assisting clients with rezoning properties that are improperly zoned for residential, commercial or agricultural purposes. Ms. Cantrell is adept at advocating for necessary zoning changes and challenging county comprehensive plans when they conflict with her clients’ needs. Her ability to highlight governmental inconsistencies in zoning practices underscores her expertise in this area.
Ms. Cantrell works alongside another senior associate and three partners at her firm. Serving individual and business clients, she and the team at Underwood Scoggins LLC specialize in contract issues, corporate formation and governance, and general counsel to secure resolutions for some of the most complex conflicts. Among a range of services, the firm counsels clients in business and corporate law, civil litigation and dispute resolution, real estate law, eminent domain condemnation, and zoning and land use.
Before joining Underwood Scoggins, Ms. Cantrell served as a magistrate court judge in Georgia from 2021 to 2025. During her tenure on the bench, her legal acumen encompassed civil law and litigation, building upon her extensive experience in criminal law. This period marked a significant transition in Ms. Cantrell’s career as she developed a strong understanding of various legal matters, solidifying her reputation as an expert in these areas.
Ms. Cantrell’s legal journey began as an assistant district attorney with the Appalachian District Attorney’s Office in Pickens County, Georgia, between 2015 and 2020. In this capacity, she focused on prosecuting cases involving child abuse, a role that left a profound impact on her professional ethos. One of her most significant achievements was when a young victim expressed gratitude for Ms. Cantrell’s belief in her, highlighting the importance of empathy and communication over courtroom victories.
Ms. Cantrell’s initial foray into the legal profession was as an associate attorney at the Estate Planning Law Group of Georgia, James M. Miskell PC, in Lawrenceville, Georgia, from 2014 to 2015. This role provided her with foundational experience in estate planning law, which complemented her subsequent focus on criminal prosecution and judicial responsibilities.
Laying the groundwork for her successful career, Ms. Cantrell’s academic background included earning a Bachelor of Arts in international and global studies from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro in 2009 and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana, in 2013. Her education equipped her with the analytical skills necessary for navigating complex legal issues and contributed significantly to her professional accomplishments. Additionally, Ms. Cantrell was admitted to practice by the Georgia Bar Association.
A member of the State Bar of Georgia, Ms. Cantrell is also affiliated with the Appalachian Bar Association. Her involvement with Kappa Kappa Gamma further evidences her commitment to professional development as an alumna since 2006.
Ms. Cantrell aspires to become a partner at Underwood Scoggins LLC and take on cases that establish significant case law in Georgia’s Supreme Court, hoping that other attorneys will build upon the precedents she sets.
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