Jessica Horne

Jessica is an experienced advocate, practising in criminal law.

Before joining the private Bar in February 2025, Jessica was employed as a barrister for nine years in the Public Defenders Chambers at Legal Aid Queensland. She was appointed as an Assistant Public Defender in 2021 and acted as Deputy Public Defender from late 2024 until her move to the private Bar.

Jessica’s experience includes appearing in: trials, legal arguments, sentences and contested bail applications in the Supreme Court, District Court and Childrens Court of Queensland; conviction and sentence appeals in the Court of Appeal; contested hearings in the Mental Health Court; applications under the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld); committals, directions hearings and sentences in the Magistrates Court.

While employed in the Public Defenders Chambers, Jessica received Legal Aid Queensland staff awards in 2024 and 2018, for her quality representation of disadvantaged clients. 

From 2008 to 2014, Jessica was employed as a criminal lawyer at Legal Aid Queensland. In 2015, she was seconded to the Queensland Organised Crime Commission of Inquiry.

Jessica is available to be briefed in all criminal law matters and in appeals to the Court of Appeal. She is appointed to the Legal Aid Queensland complex case panel.