Heyl Royster

Jenna Kobernus

Associate
St. Louis, MO

Joined Firm in 2018

Jenna defends Workers' Compensation claims in Illinois and Missouri from the investigation phase through trial and appeal, believing in the importance of thoroughly investigating claims and aggressively defending her clients.

  • Experienced Workers’ Compensation Attorney
  • Sharp eye for detail and an assertive approach to representation
Read Full Bio

Jenna Kobernus

Attorney in St. Louis, MO

Jenna is a passionate and results-driven Workers' Compensation attorney based in the St. Louis area, with a proven track record of defending claims throughout Illinois and Missouri. She understands the complexities of the legal landscape and is committed to guiding her clients through every stage of the process—from the initial investigation to trial and appeals. With a sharp eye for detail and an assertive approach to representation, Jenna prioritizes comprehensive case analysis to ensure the best possible outcomes for employers facing challenging claims.

Jenna joined the firm's St. Louis office when it opened in 2018 and has honed her skills within the Workers' Compensation Practice Group, effectively handling a wide range of cases. With experience in casualty and tort litigation, medical malpractice, toxic tort, professional liability, and trucking, Jenna is relentless in her approach, ensuring each case is carefully managed from intake to resolution.

In law school, Jenna took on several leadership roles, serving as Chief of Staff for the Student Bar Association, Treasurer for the Business Law Association, and Co-Chair for the Public Interest Law Group's auction. After her first year, she gained practical experience as an intern for Chief Judge James Shadid at the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois. Her courtroom skills were further enhanced during her internship with the Peoria County State's Attorney's Office, where she prosecuted traffic and misdemeanor cases.

During her final year of law school, Jenna was actively involved in the Civil Litigation Clinic, where she represented clients in various civil cases. She argued before the Western District of Missouri Court of Appeals and drafted essential legal briefs, including a Missouri Court of Appeals Appellate Brief and a federal court reply brief, showcasing her dedication and advocacy skills.

A native of Peoria, Jenna stays connected to her community by volunteering for Easter Seals Central Illinois, following in the footsteps of her parents. Outside of work, she enjoys running and biking on her Peloton. Jenna lives in St. Louis with her husband, Kent, daughter, Lillian, and their energetic Sheepadoodle puppy, Millie.

Credentials

Education

J.D., Saint Louis University School of Law

B.S., Bradley University, Accounting

Licensure(s) and Admission(s)

State Courts of Illinois

State Courts of Missouri

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri

United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois

Professional Affiliations

Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis

Illinois State Bar Association

The Missouri Bar

Presentations/Publications

Presentations

“Understanding Workers’ Compensation,” Society for Human Resource Management Seminar (2022)

“Workers’ Compensation for Human Resources,” Society for Human Resource Management Seminar (2022)

Publications

Voluntary Arbitration Under Section 19(p): What’s Old Is New Again,” Below the Red Line - Heyl Royster Workers' Compensation Newsletter (2023)

"The Second Injury Fund: What You Need To Know," Below the Red Line - Heyl Royster Workers' Compensation Newsletter (2021)

Public Profile

Jenna is a passionate and results-driven Workers' Compensation attorney based in the St. Louis area, with a proven track record of defending claims throughout Illinois and Missouri. She understands the complexities of the legal landscape and is committed to guiding her clients through every stage of the process—from the initial investigation to trial and appeals. With a sharp eye for detail and an assertive approach to representation, Jenna prioritizes comprehensive case analysis to ensure the best possible outcomes for employers facing challenging claims.

Jenna joined the firm's St. Louis office when it opened in 2018 and has honed her skills within the Workers' Compensation Practice Group, effectively handling a wide range of cases. With experience in casualty and tort litigation, medical malpractice, toxic tort, professional liability, and trucking, Jenna is relentless in her approach, ensuring each case is carefully managed from intake to resolution.

In law school, Jenna took on several leadership roles, serving as Chief of Staff for the Student Bar Association, Treasurer for the Business Law Association, and Co-Chair for the Public Interest Law Group's auction. After her first year, she gained practical experience as an intern for Chief Judge James Shadid at the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois. Her courtroom skills were further enhanced during her internship with the Peoria County State's Attorney's Office, where she prosecuted traffic and misdemeanor cases.

During her final year of law school, Jenna was actively involved in the Civil Litigation Clinic, where she represented clients in various civil cases. She argued before the Western District of Missouri Court of Appeals and drafted essential legal briefs, including a Missouri Court of Appeals Appellate Brief and a federal court reply brief, showcasing her dedication and advocacy skills.

A native of Peoria, Jenna stays connected to her community by volunteering for Easter Seals Central Illinois, following in the footsteps of her parents. Outside of work, she enjoys running and biking on her Peloton. Jenna lives in St. Louis with her husband, Kent, daughter, Lillian, and their energetic Sheepadoodle puppy, Millie.

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