Jessica Wood
Economic Development
Details
Jessica Wood
Jessica Wood has more than two decades of legal experience in Michigan municipal law and finance. A Grand Rapids native, she earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan before attending law school at the University of Oregon. She began her legal career in Eugene and Portland, where she focused on environmental and land use law.
Following her return to Michigan in 2000, Jessica served as a clerk for the Michigan Court of Appeals before joining a municipal law practice in 2003, where she built a career advising public sector clients.
Her practice centers on economic development and municipal finance, including previous service as bond counsel and underwriter’s counsel. She has served as bond counsel for the City of Grand Rapids, including work related to major development projects such as the Acrisure Amphitheater and Amway Soccer Stadium.
Jessica has also served as City Attorney and bond counsel for the Cities of Lowell, Hastings, Rockford, and Hudsonville, as well as legal counsel to their respective economic development authorities. In addition, she represents a wide range of standalone authorities and public entities, including the City of Kalamazoo Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, Downtown Development Authority, Economic Development Corporation, and related entities; the City of Grand Rapids Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, LDFA SmartZone, Downtown Development Authority, Downtown Improvement District, and Water Department; the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention Arena Authority; Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc.; Grand River, Inc.; the Grand Valley Regional Biosolids Authority; Lowell Light & Power; and the Kent County Dispatch Authority.
Jessica previously served as City Attorney for the City of Benton Harbor during its financial restructuring under Michigan’s Emergency Manager Law. From 2014 to 2018, she served as Director of Municipal Affairs in the Grand Rapids City Attorney’s Office, where she advised on a broad range of municipal legal and policy matters.