Jessica Hardee

Associate Attorney

Jessica’s work is divided between coastal, wetlands, and biomass projects. Her primary responsibilities include helping to draft comment letters to state and federal agencies, drafting memos on legal issues, and assisting in litigation.  

Jessica grew up in the western North Carolina town of Morganton and went to college and law school in-state. “I have always wanted to do something that protected the beautiful places I spent my whole life loving,” she said. “I knew very early on I wanted to be an environmental attorney. SELC became my dream job in high school when I learned of their work with red wolves. I mean every word when I say working here is a dream come true.” 

Now as an associate and previously as a summer intern for SELC, Jessica worked on opposing the deepening of the Wilmington Harbor. At a public hearing, she got a chance to speak and meet “our wonderful partner groups,” she said. “Perhaps the most important reason for working at SELC is its value of being place-based. It is one thing to work in a region; it is an entirely different thing to understand how that work impacts communities and the environment.”  

Jessica said her favorite place in the SELC region is the Linville Gorge Wilderness in western North Carolina.  

“I grew up 30 minutes away and spent many weekends as a young adult hiking and exploring the area,” she said. “I also got married at Wiseman’s View overlooking the Gorge. I have so many memories wrapped in the rhododendron and mountain laurel that grow through the mountainsides. ” 

• J.D., Duke University School of Law; Public Interest and Public Service Certificate 
• B.A., Wake Forest University, summa cum laude