Jessica L. Reiss

Jessica L. Reiss

Environmental Law

5.0 (1 reviews)
Indianapolis, Indiana
14+ years experience
Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Updated:

Contact Information

11 South Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204-3535
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Bio

Jessica Reiss has considerable interest and depth of knowledge in environmental law. Her level of understanding stems from multiple, diverse perspectives gained working in numerous positions in the environmental field, including with a state regulatory agency, in environmental consulting, in house with regulated entities, and performing public and private research. Her experience allows her to advise clients with a wide range of environmental issues.Jessica has handled issues regarding environmental compliance, safety, sustainability, air permitting, storm water, wastewater pretreatment, hazardous waste programs, tanks, and related enforcement actions.Jessica comes to Barnes & Thornburg from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), where she was an attorney and provided counsel to the Office of Air Quality and to the Rules Development Branch. She represented the department in permit appeals, enforcement actions, and rulemaking. Prior to joining IDEM, she was senior environmental consultant for Hitachi Consulting, where she advised federal agency clients on environmental compliance and sustainability. Prior to law school, Jessica managed environmental health and safety in house at automotive manufacturing facilities throughout the Midwest.In addition to her practice, Jessica is an adjunct professor, teaching sustainable management in the spring and environmental law and regulation in the fall, at Indiana University-Indianapolis School of Public and Environmental Affairs.Jessica chose to attend Vermont Law School because she knew she wanted to practice environmental law, and it is consistently ranked as the number one school for environmental law by U.S. News & World Report. During law school, she interned with the American Lung Association’s Healthy Air Campaign, the Legislative Council of the Vermont General Assembly, and the Southern Environmental Law Center. She was also a research assistant with the Institute for Energy and the Environment at Vermont Law School, where she researched regulatory barriers to carbon capture and sequestration, ultimately co-authoring a book that provided legislative and regulatory solutions. Jessica Reiss has considerable interest and depth of knowledge in environmental law. Her level of understanding stems from multiple, diverse perspectives gained working in numerous positions in the environmental field, including with a state regulatory agency, in environmental consulting, in house with regulated entities, and performing public and private research. Her experience allows her to advise clients with a wide range of environmental issues. Jessica has handled issues regarding environmental compliance, safety, sustainability, air permitting, storm water, wastewater pretreatment, hazardous waste programs, tanks, and related enforcement actions. Jessica comes to Barnes & Thornburg from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), where she was an attorney and provided counsel to the Office of Air Quality and to the Rules Development Branch. She represented the department in permit appeals, enforcement actions, and rulemaking. Prior to joining IDEM, she was senior environmental consultant for Hitachi Consulting, where she advised federal agency clients on environmental compliance and sustainability. Prior to law school, Jessica managed environmental health and safety in house at automotive manufacturing facilities throughout the Midwest. In addition to her practice, Jessica is an adjunct professor, teaching sustainable management in the spring and environmental law and regulation in the fall, at Indiana University-Indianapolis School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Jessica chose to attend Vermont Law School because she knew she wanted to practice environmental law, and it is consistently ranked as the number one school for environmental law by U.S. News & World Report. During law school, she interned with the American Lung Association’s Healthy Air Campaign, the Legislative Council of the Vermont General Assembly, and the Southern Environmental Law Center. She was also a research assistant with the Institute for Energy and the Environment at Vermont Law School, where she researched regulatory barriers to carbon capture and sequestration, ultimately co-authoring a book that provided legislative and regulatory solutions.

Practice Areas

Environmental Law

Awards & Recognition

  • Recognized: Environmental Law
  • Recognized: Environmental Law - 2024
  • Recognized: Environmental Law - 2023
  • Recognized: Environmental Law - 2022
  • Recognized: Environmental Law - 2021
  • Practice Area: Environmental Law

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2026

Education

  • Vermont Law School, JD, graduated 2011
  • Vermont Law School, Master of Environmental Law and Policy, graduated 2011
  • Ball State University, B.A., Public Relations, graduated 2004

Reviews

S

Sandra Perez

2 weeks ago

Invaluable Guidance on a Complex Environmental Compliance Issue

When our manufacturing company faced a daunting compliance issue with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, involving potential penalties for a legacy site, we were referred to Jessica Reiss. From our first consultation, her dual expertise from her JD and Master of Environmental Law and Policy was immediately apparent. She didn't just recite regulations; she explained the strategic landscape, drawing on her 14 years of diverse experience to outline a path forward that was both legally sound and commercially practical. Jessica and her team at Barnes & Thornburg conducted a meticulous audit of our historical operations, crafted a compelling narrative for regulators that acknowledged the past while focusing on proactive remediation, and negotiated a resolution that avoided litigation and significant fines. Her recent recognitions in environmental law are clearly well-deserved. Jessica is more than a brilliant attorney; she’s a strategic partner who communicates with clarity and genuine care for her client's long-term health. We emerged from a stressful situation not only compliant but with a stronger internal framework. I cannot recommend her highly enough.

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