About Attorney Jillian Nee

     Jillian M. Nee first joined The Law Office of Sarah Westra as a paralegal in 2022 while attending New England Law. Before graduation and passing the bar exam, she conducted research, drafted motions to be presented to the Court and supported with oral argument. In 2024, she joined the practice as a full-time associate, assuming greater caseload responsibility, such as restraining order extensions, clerk magistrate hearings, and OUI trials.
 

     Her aim as a criminal defense attorney centers on a client-focused approach. She prioritizes having a full understanding of her client’s story, enabling her to provide an accurate representation of the facts to the court. This strengthens her ability as a client advocate, ensuring that they are given the opportunity to be heard. Recognizing that legal procedures can be confusing and intimidating, she displays empathy and compassion to help clients understand the process while guiding them through each stage of litigation.
 

     Before a court hearing, Jillian meets with her clients to ensure that they are thoroughly prepared. During such conversations, she offers an upfront and realistic assessment of the situation, devoid of promises. She believes that this care and attention gives her clients peace of mind. Her interest in helping her clients improve their lives extends beyond courtroom advocacy, and she often shares available resources. Clients describe her as honest, thorough, and transparent.
 

     In court, Jillian is capable of effectively arguing complex legal issues, even when facing anticipated disagreement from the judge or the Commonwealth. She is skilled at balancing zealous advocacy with tact and diplomacy. To accomplish this, her disciplined approach involves thorough trial preparation, placing the emphasis on the importance of advanced research and legal writing, and prioritizing equitable legal processes. She believes that such preparation is critical to effective oral advocacy, ensuring that all of her clients are afforded fair representation and due process.

     A Dorchester native, Jillian interned with the City of Boston in the Office of Economic Development. In this role, she helped create events for small business owners, many of whom were minority or immigrant owners. While in law school, she focused on trial practice and criminal law, earning a certificate in criminal practice and procedure. Her participation in mock trials, exchanging viewpoints with classmates, and awareness of wrongful convictions have influenced her perspective on the criminal justice system. 

     “The government must always meet its burden of proof,” she states. She sees the system as a key area for promoting equity in society, particularly regarding race and socioeconomic status. She is a strong advocate for rehabilitation within the criminal justice system. It is this fundamental view which supports Attorney Sarah Westra’s similar belief that makes her a valuable lawyer within the practice.