Jessica E. Visser

Corporate and Higher Education Attorney

Jessica Visser is a member of the firm’s Corporate Practice Team and co-chair of its Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Practice. She represents educational institutions, NIL collectives, and corporate clients in contract negotiations, compliance matters, and strategic disputes. Her practice spans a range of legal areas including federal government contracting compliance, education law, and commercial transactions.

Jessica regularly drafts and negotiates major NIL agreements, including marketing, licensing, brand ambassador, and promotional contracts on behalf of NIL collectives, individual boosters, and companies. She has advised on the formation of multiple NIL collectives and works closely with university athletic departments to ensure compliance with NCAA rules and institutional NIL policies. She frequently delivers training and guidance to athletic departments, general counsel offices, and collective leaders on NIL structure, governance, and risk management.

In her broader practice, Jessica advises K-12 and higher education clients on matters involving Title IX, student disability accommodations, student conduct, governance, residence life, athletics, and student organizations. She brings significant experience resolving disputes and navigating compliance issues in sensitive institutional matters.

As former associate general counsel for a major university, Jessica regularly negotiated large-scale contracts including spearheading the disposition and lease of university property and supporting a multimillion-dollar concession agreement for the university’s parking system. She counseled the university athletic department on NIL matters, NCAA compliance, and strategic negotiation of coach contracts. She is experienced in Title IX and disability matters, including a variety of other student-related issues. Jessica’s background also includes serving as a contracting officer for the U.S. Department of Defense, where she led multimillion-dollar negotiations with major defense contractors in the aerospace and surveillance sectors. Her government contracting experience now informs her work with universities and contractors alike on matters involving procurement, federal acquisition compliance, and contract disputes.

Honors and Recognitions

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Influential Women of Law, 2025

Professional Affiliations

State Bar of Michigan

Ohio State Bar Association

Community Involvement

Rockford Education Foundation, Board