In only four years in that role, he had dozens of bench trials and conducted the defense of over 25 jury trials. It served as a very effective way to learn how to effectively litigate cases in high pressured environments, sometimes having less than a day to prepare a vigorously defend a client in front of a jury. As a young defense attorney Jesse learned a lot about thinking quickly on his feet, managing the needs of clients and their families without much time offered to build solid relationships. Using clear and honest language with people who were standing up against the power of the State, was crucial to finding success in the courtroom.

With this experience, Jesse left Maryland for North Carolina in 2007, and entered private practice – always focusing on criminal defense. Knowing that there was more to learn about being an effective attorney, Jesse worked hard to increase his defense skills by attending and graduating from the National Criminal Defense College’s Trial Practice Institute in Macon Georgia, and the Spence Trial Lawyers College in Dubois Wyoming. He spent a total of 6 weeks away from home at these colleges, learning the nuances of jury trial defense and telling his client’s stories. This was a turning point in Jesse’s career, as he grew to understand the importance of building an in-depth relationship with his clients that was filled with trust and communication. The nurturing of these client relationships is the only path to true advocacy in the courtroom.

Jesse managed the Scharff Law Firm from 2013 to 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was there that he incorporated the holistic approach to client representation that he had learned in his varied experience and training over the prior decade. He represented criminal clients all over the state of North Carolina, and began to also advocate for victims of domestic violence in family law matters. Jesse returned to his hometown of Baltimore in 2019, and joined the law firm of Turnbull Brockmeyer in 2023 where he now serves as Senior Litigation Counsel representing criminal clients and family law clients.