Jessica Kirk Drennan

Divorce, Custody & Family Law Attorney

About

Jessica Kirk Drennan, family and matrimonial attorney since 1996 and founder of Kirk Drennan, P.C., attributes her great success to diligent preparation, creative solutions and passionate advocacy. Her firm began with only a Family Law Practice Group; however, expanded client services in 2015 by adding a Criminal Defense Practice Group.  Jessica leads the Family Law Practice Group which focuses on matrimonial and family law at the trial and appellate levels, and on the preparation of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. With considerable experience in complex litigation, the Kirk Drennan Family Law Practice Group handles cases involving high asset marital estates, alimony and custody in controversy. The firm employs four (4) lawyers and four (4) staff members all of whom are dedicated to providing the highest level of service to the firm’s clients. Jessica Kirk Drennan is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell, a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a Board Certified Advocate of the National Board of Trial Advocacy and was recently inducted to The Birmingham Bar Foundation Society of Fellows and was member of Leadership Birmingham, Class of 2019, the best class ever.

Jessica is as dedicated to her community as she is to family and matrimonial law. In 2015 Jessica won the AG Gaston Award issued by the Birmingham Business Alliance.  She has served in various leadership roles including Chair of Birmingham Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Program, President of the Women’s Network, and Chair of the Family Law Section of the Alabama Bar Association.

Jessica has twenty-six (26) years of litigation experience and her practice is state-wide. Jessica and the members of Kirk Drennan P.C. are dedicated to their work and share a passion for helping people, children and families. With that passion, Jessica published a book in 2013 to help people better understand the divorce process. Her goal in writing Divorce in Alabama was to identify the questions many of her clients had and provide answers according to Alabama law. Jessica and her firm know and respect that every family and every situation is unique.

Professional

• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
  • Board of Examiners, 2020
  • Immediate Past President of the Alabama Chapter, 2015
  • President of the Alabama Chapter, April 2013, 2014
  • President Elect, 2012
  • Chair Seminar Committee, 2010 – 2013
  • Secretary, 2010, 2011
  • Fellow, 2009 – Present
• Birmingham Bar Association, 2001 – Present
  • Public Service Committee, 2007 – 2012
  • Pro Bono Committee, 2011 – Present, Secretary 2011-2012, Co-Chair 2015
• Birmingham Volunteer Lawyers Program, 2010 – Present
  • Board of Directors, 2016/2017
  • Vice Chair, 2017/2018
  • Chair, 2018/2019
• Super Lawyer, 2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2020/2021
• Best Lawyers 2020/2021
• Lifetime Fellow of the Birmingham Bar Foundation
• Alabama State Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program, 1996 – Present
• Alabama State Bar Women’s Section, 2004 – Present
• Awarded the Alabama State Bar Volunteer Lawyer’s Program Volunteer Firm of the Year, 2011
• Recognized as Top Flight Attorney of Birmingham, B•Metro Magazine, 2015-to present
• Recipient of the Alabama State Bar Volunteer Lawyer’s Program Meritorious Service Certificate – 1996
• Recognized as Top Family Law Lawyers in Birmingham, Birmingham Magazine 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015
• Invited as guest Expert on Domestic Relations on the television program, “Law Call,” February 2010
• Selected for American Inns of Court, Birmingham Chapter, 2008 – 2011
• Selected for American Inns of Court, Montgomery Chapter, 1998 – 2001
• American Bar Association, 1998 – Present
  • Family Law Section-1996 – Present, Trial Techniques and Strategies Committee, Member 2010
• Montgomery Bar Association, 1998 – 2001
• Tallapoosa County Bar Association, 1996 – 1998, Treasurer 1997
• Alabama Women in Business 2012 – 2016

Community

• Leadership Birmingham, Class of 2019
• The Women’s Network-2009 -Present
  • Nominating Committee, 2013
  • Hospitality Committee, 2013 – 2014
  • Board of Directors, 2015
  • Incoming President, 2016
  • President, 2017
• Children’s Village,
  • Board Member 2013-2019
  • Secretary 2016, 2017
• Founding Member Legal Leaders for Muscular Dystrophy Association
  • Board Chairman, 2013
  • Recognized as 2013 Highest Fundraiser
  • Recognized as 2012 Highest Fundraiser
• AROVA Birmingham Contemporary Ballet, Board Member
• Birmingham Multiple Sclerosis Advisory Counsel for the 2011 Leadership Class
• Birmingham MS Leadership, Class of 2010
• Volunteer and organizer of events at Jefferson County Health and Rehabilitation Center, 2007 -2011
• Volunteer and organizer of events for Children’s Village, 2007 to 2012
• Volunteer and sponsor Service Juris Day, 2007 to 2012

Continuing Legal Education Courses

• “Fear Factor: You’ve Just Started Family Law – Now What?”, American Bar Association Webinar, April, 2016.
• “Divorce in Alabama: Estate Planning Considerations” Estate Planning Council of Birmingham CLE, Birmingham, Alabama; March 2015
• “Smoke and Mirrors: Understanding Business Valuations” American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Advanced Litigation in Family Law CLE, Birmingham, Alabama; December 2015
• “Protecting Your Client’s Business Assets” Alabama Bar Association Family Law Section Divorce on the Beach CLE, San Destin, Florida; May 2014
• “Paper Chase to Paperless” Alabama Bar Association Family Law Section Divorce on the Beach CLE, San Destin, Florida; June 2012
• “Rules of the Road: Ethics” and “Back in the Garage: Concluding a Divorce Action” National Business Institute CLE, Birmingham, Alabama; March 2009
• “The Alabama Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act,” Cumberland School of Law, Annual CLE by the hour, Birmingham, Alabama; December 2007
• “Get your Client Off to a Good Start” and “Resolving Challenges in Domestic Violence Cases”  Helping Your Client Through Difficult Cases, National Business Institute CLE, Birmingham, Alabama; May 2007.
• “Torts: Going Beyond the Divorce Complaint” CLE Conference, LEI, Family Law, Snowmass, Colorado; January 2007

Publications

• Author, Jessica Kirk Drennan. Divorce in Alabama: The Legal Process, Your Rights, and What to Expect.Addicus Books, Inc. Omaha, Nebraska. 2013.
• Author, Jessica Kirk Drennan. June 12, 2012. Memorandum: Facebook can be High-tech Lipstick on a Collar. The Birmingham News.
• Author, Jessica Kirk Drennan. June 30, 2011. Memorandum: Take Asset Precautions Before Saying ‘I Do’.The Birmingham News.
• “Domestic Torts: Going Beyond the Divorce Complaint,” The Georgia Family Law Review, Fall 2008, Pages 12-17.
• Published opinions in the Alabama Courts of Criminal Appeals and Civil Appeals:
  • Forbus v. Forbus; No. 2980333; Court of Civil Appeals.
  • K.D.; Alias v. State; Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals; 712 So.2d 754 (Ala.Crim.App. 1997).
  • Vest v. Vest; NO: 2040332; Alabama Court of Civil Appeals; 978 So.2d 759 (Ala.Civ.App. 2006).
  • Neny v. Neny; NO: 2060175; Alabama Court of Civil Appeals; —So.2d—2008 WL 400358 (Ala.Civ.App. February 15, 2008).
  • Winford v. Winford; NO: 2120097; Alabama Court of Civil Appeals; (August 2013)
  • Lang v. Lang; NO: 2121085; Alabama Court of Civil Appeals; (October 2014)

In The News

• Author, Kyle Whitmire. June 13, 2013. While U.S. Supreme Court Considers Same-sex Marriage, Alabama Couples Wrestle with Legal Alternatives.The Birmingham News.
• Author, Jessica Kirk Drennan. June 12, 2012. Memorandum: Facebook can be High-tech Lipstick on a Collar.The Birmingham News.
• Author, Roy Williams. February 1, 2011. Memorandum: Economics Lead to More Changes to Divorce Plans, Birmingham Lawyers Say.The Birmingham News.
• Author, Jessica Kirk Drennan. June 30, 2011. Memorandum: Take Asset Precautions Before Saying ‘I Do’.The Birmingham News.
• Author, Roy Williams. February 10, 2010.This CFO’s for Hire.The Birmingham News.