Member, Jackson Kelly PLLC
LinkedIn: Jessica Alsop
Jessica Alsop’s childhood was one of courage and camaraderie—and double dares. Her two older brothers, Ty and Toby, liked to see how tough their baby sister could be, and she never backed down from a challenge. Today, as a member at Jackson Kelly PLLC in Charleston, Alsop has been able to harness the resilience and determination that put her on a level playing field with her brothers and use it to propel herself toward a successful career as an attorney.
Alsop, an Elkins native, aspired to be an accountant from an early age. She loved anything to do with numbers, and spending time at her father’s lumber mill provided the opportunity to use numbers in a business setting by tallying lumber and log tickets. It wasn’t until she was preparing to graduate from West Virginia University (WVU) with a bachelor’s degree in accounting that she took pause to consider the path she had chosen. “I decided I wasn’t ready to finish school and start a career,” she remembers. “I felt like I wanted to do something more.” After graduation, Alsop returned to WVU where she received her law degree before going on to attend New York University to study tax law.
Throughout her career, Alsop has had many mentors, and she credits Louis Southworth, Mike Foster and Beth Lord at Jackson Kelly for playing major roles in guiding her career and her life. She also credits her husband, Rob, for the vital source of support he has offered.
“Someone recently told me that 90 percent of your happiness in your adult life is determined by your choice of spouse,” says Alsop. “I believe that to be true. My husband always encourages me to keep going when things are hard and provides a soft place to land when things don’t work out the way I have planned.”
When it comes to balancing her career with her personal life, Alsop has found that having a supportive spouse, planning ahead and finding an outlet through which she can regroup is the key. The best outlet she has found for herself is running. “The day goes much better if I am able to get out early in the morning and spend some time taking care of myself,” she says. “Everyone in my house—and probably in my office—can attest that I am much better at anything if I’ve run first.”
Part of that planning ahead is being able to carve out time for her volunteer work. She is on the board of the Children’s Therapy Clinic and the board of trustees of the University of Charleston, and she serves as the treasurer of the American Inns of Court. In addition, she is a member of the Priscilla Circle at Christ Church United Methodist, a group of women who organize and execute the semi-annual Twice Blessed Consignment Sale to raise money for local children’s charities in the area. Since its inception several years ago, the group has gifted more than $100,000 to local charities.
Alsop might have learned a lot from her brothers, but her sink-or-swim attitude was something she picked up from her parents. “When my dad took me to Parkersburg to buy my first car, he told me if I really wanted that particular car, I had to learn how to drive a stick shift on the spot,” Alsop remembers. “He made me drive it off the lot and all the way home. My parents believed you learned best by putting yourself in the situation where you didn’t have a choice but to just do it.”
What is your favorite . . . ?
Color – Blue
Food – Peanut butter
Cartoon Character – Mickey Mouse
Ice Cream – Cake Batter
Animal – Dog
Book – “A Wrinkle in Time”
App – Fitbit
Midnight Snack – Stacy’s Pita Chips
TV Show – “Duck Dynasty”
Movie – “Love Actually”
Smell – Pumpkin
Sports Team – West Virginia University Mountaineers
Car – Acura MDX
Pet – Dog
Place – Any beach
Written by Jennifer Jett
Photography by Tracy Toler on location at Smith Company Motor Cars
