Jessica Mercado

Ms. Mercado, the founder of the Mercado Law Firm, speaks fluent Spanish and has practiced law since 2006.  Ms. Mercado received her Juris Doctor degree from American College of Law in Anaheim.  She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Judaism in Bel Air.    

Before starting the Mercado Law Firm, Ms. Mercado worked as a Senior Associate at Crandall, Wade & Lowe in Calabasas where she supervised associate attorneys and office staff in all aspects of workers’ compensation defense. She also managed a full case load representing employers, insurance agencies and third-party administrators in workers’ compensation litigation, settlements and hearings, EDD disputes and lien resolution at the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board throughout Southern California.  In addition, she presented training seminars for the associate attorneys and other legal staff.

As an Associate Attorney at Grancell, Lebovitz, Stander, Reubens and Thomas in El Segundo, Ms. Mercado was responsible for workers’ compensation litigation and case management of defense workers’ compensation claims on behalf of employers, insurance carriers and third-party administrators.  In addition to devising case strategy, she negotiated settlements and evaluated the liability and exposure of worker claims.  She conducted depositions, analyzed medical and personnel records and maintained relations with clients, opposing counsel and co-counsel.      

Ms. Mercado was an Associate Attorney at the Law Offices of Ramin Younessi in Los Angeles, where she helped devise strategy for clients of the workers’ compensation applicant firm.  She also handled all aspects of applicant representation in workers’ compensation, including trial appearances on all issues.

As an Associate Attorney at Michael Sullivan & Associates in El Segundo, Ms. Mercado handled a significant case load of workers’ compensation defense files from inception to resolution.  She participated in all manner of hearings, conferences and trials appearing at Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board throughout Southern California and developed particular expertise in AOE/COE determinations, permanent and temporary disability and medical provider networks.    

Ms. Mercado has appeared before the Immigration Court in Los Angeles representing non-detained clients at Master Hearings and Individual Hearings.  She has also represented clients at Asylum Interviews, Adjustment of Status Interviews and Naturalization Interviews.  Additionally, Ms. Mercado has represented detained clients in Bond Hearings, Master Hearings and Individual Hearings.

Ms. Mercado also worked as an appearance attorney representing clients before the Bankruptcy Court, the Superior Court on Family Law matters and at the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board.     

Among her notable accomplishments, Ms. Mercado volunteered at the Pro Bono workshops held at the United States Bankruptcy Court Central District through the Public Law Center in Orange County where she counseled the nonprofit’s low income clients enabling them to represent themselves in court.  She received a Certificate of Appreciation from the United States Bankruptcy Court Central District of California in honor of her contribution as a Pro Bono volunteer in the Central District of California. 

Additionally, The Board of Governors of the State Bar of California presented Ms. Mercado with The Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services due to her voluntary provision of legal services to the poor through Bet Tzedek. 

Ms. Mercado is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA) and Long Beach Bar Association (LBBA).