Jennifer was born in Kansas City and has lived here almost her entire life. She received her bachelor’s in psychology and minored in Criminal Justice in 1991 and her law degree in 1995 from the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law. 

Her thesis for her law degree was “Prosecutorial Uses of DNA” based on the research she did the year between her first and second year of law school at the University of Maryland, College Park, in conjunction with the Armed Forces Institute for Pathology.

Jennifer also did some consulting with Channel 4 news, after law school, during the O.J. Simpson trial, on DNA use in criminal cases. This was during the DNA testimony on live TV.

In her sophomore year in college she told her parents she had decided to become a lawyer, not a clinical psychologist as planned. She never looked back. Instead of a prosecutor, she had decided each defendant needed the best representation possible. They deserved justice, and she still believes this.

Upon graduation from law school, she worked with two attorneys before opening her own solo practice firm, Reagan Law, LLC, concentrating on family law, traffic cases and criminal law.

Jennifer has received the President’s Awards from both the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association and the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Foundation, among other awards during her almost 30 years in practice.

About 2 years ago, she decided that after concentrating on family law for about 30 years, she wanted a change. After much thought and many conversations, she officially closed her practice and joined the DWI and Criminal Law Center of the Benjamin Law Firm, LLC in January 2024.She is the head of the traffic division and handles the firm’s expungement, hardship and reinstatement cases. She thoroughly enjoys her new endeavor, especially the camaraderie, having been a sole practitioner for so long.

Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys reading fiction, meeting new people and international travel. She is also a part owner of the wine shop, Marco Polo Selections, and enjoys learning about wine and introducing people to new wines from all over the world.

Jennifer believes that all the above would not have happened had it not been for the support of her family. They taught her that hard work and the idea of never knowing a stranger is what life is all about.