Jennifer Hoekstra

Sponsored by RebuttalPR

What initially inspired you to specialize in plaintiff personal injury law, and how has your motivation evolved over the years?

From the beginning, I was drawn to the idea of helping people navigate the aftermath of life-changing harm, and mass torts allow you to stand up for, as a collective, for many individuals to drive broader accountability. I’m somewhat unique in the fact that I’ve always worked on the plaintiff side and I’ve never done anything besides mass torts since I began my career.

What really hooked me early on and what still drives me is the science behind these cases. I’ve always loved science, and in mass torts, understanding complex data, causation, and epidemiology is essential. These cases often hinge on the ability to translate scientific evidence into a compelling, human story, and that’s where I thrive. I earned my undergraduate degree in Environmental Science from Columbia University and later went on to Tulane Law School, where I completed a certificate in Environmental Law. I also spent a semester at the University of Wisconsin School of Law after Hurricane Katrina, which gave me valuable perspective and deepened my commitment to public-interest work.

Over time, the motivation has become even more personal. When you meet with clients—individuals and families who’ve suffered tremendous loss—you carry their stories with you. That responsibility fuels every deposition, every motion, and every argument. And as I’ve had the privilege of taking on leadership roles in national litigations, I’ve committed to mentoring newer lawyers to ensure this work continues with passion and integrity.

How do you build and keep trust with your clients, especially when you're working on emotional cases with hundreds or even thousands of people involved?

Building trust with my clients really comes down to clear, consistent communication—especially in large cases where I might be representing hundreds or even thousands of people. My team and I work hard to keep everyone in the loop, and we’ve leveraged to using technology to help with that. We send regular updates, and we often record video messages so people can hear directly from us about where things stand. It’s not always possible to speak to everyone one-on-one, but we try to create that same feeling of connection, even at scale.

At the end of the day, people just want to feel like they matter—and they do. If someone reaches out, I or someone on my team gets back to them. No black holes. No silence. We treat these cases like a partnership. It’s their story, their experience, and we’re here to help make sure it gets heard. That trust? It’s everything. And you earn it by showing up, time and time again.

What are some of the most significant challenges you've faced as a female attorney in this field, and what strategies have you employed to overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges has been figuring out how to do this work well while also being the parent I want to be. Trial schedules don’t care if your kid is sick or if preschool pickup is at 3:00. Early in my career, my husband Sri and I were both litigating full-time, bouncing between MDLs and hotel war rooms with toddlers in tow and nannies on speed dial. It wasn’t sustainable.

What helped us move forward was having honest and sometimes difficult conversations about what we wanted our life and our kids’ lives to look like. Sri made the decision to step back from active practice and become the primary parent. That shift gave me the space to focus on complex litigation and leadership roles while knowing that our kids had the stability they deserved.

It wasn’t always smooth — we had to redefine roles at home, learn how to share the mental load more equally, and shut out the noise from people who didn’t quite understand our setup. But we did it together, and over time, we built a system that works for us. I’ve made it a point to share that story with younger lawyers, especially women, because I know how isolating it can feel to think you’re the only one trying to balance it all. You’re not, and there are workable paths forward.

Are there any mentors or role models who have been pivotal in your career? How have they influenced your professional path?

Absolutely—Fidelma Fitzpatrick and Erin Copeland have both played such important roles in my career, and I feel incredibly lucky to know them and work alongside them. Fidelma was one of the first people who really showed me what strong, strategic leadership looks like in this space. Watching her take on complex litigations with grace and confidence made a huge impact on how I approach my own cases. She’s sharp, she’s fearless, and she’s someone I can always count on for honest advice and a good laugh when I need one. We’ve worked together on several MDLs, and every time, I walk away having learned something new.

Erin Copeland has also been a rock for me. She’s not just a brilliant attorney—she’s also incredibly supportive and collaborative. We’ve spent countless hours working through strategy, supporting each other behind the scenes, and celebrating each other’s wins. I think we’ve both made a point to lift as we climb, and that shared value has really strengthened our bond over the years.

Both Fidelma and Erin have shown me that you can be tough, effective, and still lead with kindness and integrity. That’s the kind of mentor I try to be now for the next generation coming up behind us.

Balancing work with personal life can be challenging in a demanding field like personal injury law. How do you manage this balance, and what advice would you give to others in your position?

Balancing my career with my personal life, particularly with being a parent, has required ongoing, deliberate decisions. My advice? Be honest with yourself and, if applicable, your partner about your priorities and limits. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but clarity about what matters most can help guide difficult decisions. And don’t be afraid to rewrite the rules, including challenging the norms of who “should” stay home or scale back. A sustainable career in law is possible, but it requires intention, communication, and a willingness to adapt.

What aspect of your work are you most passionate about? What part of your job excites you the most?

I really love the beginning of a case when everything is being built. It’s when we’re setting the tone for the entire litigation: establishing protocols, figuring out how teams will work together, mapping out the strategy. That’s the part that gets me excited. There's something about the blank slate when the docket is still new, and everyone is looking ahead at what’s possible that really energizes me.

In multidistrict litigation especially, those early moments are so important because you’re making decisions and shaping how things are going to unfold at the end of the case. It’s a mix of logistics, law, and collaboration, and you have the opportunity to build a strong case from the ground up. Of course, the big verdicts or settlements get all the attention, but the foundation you lay early on is what makes those outcomes possible. And I like being in that room when it’s all getting figured out. That’s where I feel I can make the biggest impact.

What advice would you give to women attorneys who are just starting out in this area of the law?

If you're just starting out, my biggest piece of advice is to show up—consistently, confidently, and prepared. Find your strengths and then be confident in sharing that expertise with your colleagues. Don’t be afraid to speak up, but, importantly, do so strategically so that people learn they’re going to want to listen to what you have to say.

Find mentors, especially other women, who will lift you up and tell you the truth. And don’t be afraid to ask questions. We all started somewhere, and the only way you grow is by staying curious and staying in it.

Why are organizations like the Society of Women Trial Lawyers important to you, and how have they impacted your work?

Organizations like the Society of Women Trial Lawyers are incredibly important to me—both professionally and personally. I belong to several legal organizations, but SWTL holds a special place in my heart. It’s one of the few spaces in this field where I’ve found genuine vulnerability, honesty, and connection. It’s not just about networking—it’s about community.

What makes it so impactful is its size and intention. It’s intimate enough to foster real relationships, and every time I’m in a room with these women, I’m struck by how willing everyone is to open up and share their wins, losses, strategies, doubts. It feels like a safe place, which is rare in such a competitive industry.

Looking back on your career, what accomplishments are you most proud of, and what future goals are you working towards?

Looking back, I’m proud of the consistency and impact of my work across a number of major litigations. I’ve had the opportunity to be part of some really significant cases, and while each one is different, I always try to bring the same level of dedication and collaboration to the table. Being part of teams that have helped deliver real results for people keeps me motivated.

At the same time, I’m always looking ahead. One of my biggest goals is to serve as lead counsel in an MDL. I’ve been honored to serve on Plaintiff Executive Committees and in various leadership roles, and I’ve learned so much from working alongside strong leaders in the field. But I’m ready to take that next step—to move from a supporting leadership role to being the one responsible for setting the vision and guiding the case from start to finish.