Jessica Defino to lead DuPage Justinians

Wheaton attorney Jessica Defino has been elected president of the Justinian Society of Lawyers, DuPage County Chapter. Joining her as officers are Vice President Amanda Zannoni, Second Vice President Kira Albrecht, Secretary Anthony DeLongis, Treasurer Gabby Antoniolli and Comptroller Elizabeth Pope.

A member of the DuPage County Chapter since she was sworn in as a lawyer in 2016, Defino was a student member of the Justinians in law school, earning the Justinian Scholarship from the DuPage chapter while pursuing her law degree. “I love the camaraderie among the members and how dedicated each person is to their Italian heritage,” she explains. “I love that the organization brings like-minded people together to honor their culture and fundraise for the less fortunate.”

Honored to be elected president, Defino is excited to revive programs put on hold by the pandemic. “We plan on bringing back our ‘Justinian Socials’ at least quarterly. I think they’re essential for member involvement,” she reports. “We also put our scholarship program on hold because of COVID, and we’re proud to be able to bring that back, as well. As always, we will be hosting our Halloween Charity Ball in October, with the proceeds benefiting St. Jude Children’s Hospital.”

Defino grew up in Carol Stream and graduated from St. Francis High School in Wheaton. She earned a B.A. in communications with a minor in Spanish from the University of Iowa, graduating with honors, and received her J.D. from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago. While at John Marshall, she was a clerk at a midsize law firm in Wheaton and a judicial extern to Cook County Circuit Court Judge Pamela Loza.

An attorney with the Wheaton family law firm of McSwain Nagle Giese & Rapp, Defino serves on the board of the DuPage County Bar Association as new lawyer director and as a member of the group’s Planning and Membership committees. In addition to practicing in all areas of family law, she is a certified guardian ad litem and mediator.