Jessica Haygood is an experienced attorney with a strong background in both civil and criminal law.

A Culloden native and graduate of Mary Persons High School, Jessica holds a deep commitment to serving her Middle Georgia community. Jessica went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Georgia in 2015, graduating Magna Cum Laude and her Juris Doctorate, also magna Cum Laude, from Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law in 2018.

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While at Mercer, Jessica was inducted into the Brainerd F. Currie Honor Society and the Golden Key International Honor Society, and served as a member of the Mercer Law Review from 2016 to 2018. Her academic excellence was recognized through multiple CALI Excellence for the Future Awards and the Faculty Award for Outstanding Achievement in Legal Writing. 

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After law school, Jessica returned to Forsyth to raise her family and begin her legal career. She gained early experience in insurance defense before serving more than three years as a prosecutor with the Towaliga District Attorney’s Office, where she developed extensive courtroom and trial experience. Prior to joining Vaughn Sundeen, Jessica practiced real estate law. Her published work, “Methamphetamine, Money, and a Motion to Withdraw as Counsel: United States v. Jimenez-Antunez All Boils Down to the Appropriate Standard,” appeared as a lead article in the 68th Volume of the Mercer Law Review (2017). Beyond her academic and professional success, she also demonstrated strong community leadership as a Vice President and graduate of the Leadership Monroe Class of 2019. Jessica, her husband, Erik, and their two children live in Forsyth. They attend Forsyth Methodist Church. Jessica enjoys spending time with family, going to her children’s games and activities, and cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs.

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Jessica is proud to work alongside attorneys Ben Vaughn and Natalie Sundeen, both respected mentors and community leaders. She looks forward to using her diverse experience to provide thoughtful, client-focused representation and to continue serving the people of Monroe County and surrounding areas with integrity and dedication.