Jessica C. Tully, Esq., a St. Thomas attorney whose practice focuses on estate planning, probate, real estate, and business law, has been selected as the recipient of the “2026 American Bar Association Solo & Small Firm Project Award,” a national honor recognizing innovation in legal practice.
The award will be presented during the 2026 ABA Joint Spring Conference in San Diego, California, held April 22-25. This marks the first time a U.S. Virgin Islands attorney has won this award.
Tully is the founder of Tully Law, PLLC and was recognized for creating Animated Lawyer, www.animatedlawyer.com, a platform that uses animated videos to help attorneys explain legal concepts more clearly to clients through law firm websites and client communications. Designed for solo and small firm practitioners, Animated Lawyer offers attorneys a modern way to explain recurring legal concepts such as wills, probate, trusts, estate administration, and related processes in a clear, accessible format.
The project grew out of Tully’s work in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where estate planning carries unusual urgency and complexity. In the Territory, families often face longstanding issues involving heirs property, informally transferred land, title uncertainty, and prolonged probate administration. In that environment, client understanding can materially affect whether families preserve property, avoid unnecessary delay, and make informed legal decisions.
“Estate planning in the Virgin Islands is not just about documents. It is about family land, clarity, and helping people navigate a legal system that is still developing. I built this project because I believe that if people do not understand the law, they cannot use it,” Tully said.
Tully developed Animated Lawyer independently, writing scripts, creating animations, and composing and producing original music and educational content intended to make legal services more understandable, both for clients and for attorneys seeking better ways to communicate to the public.
Licensed in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Tully has practiced law in the Virgin Islands since 2017. In addition to her legal practice, she is a published author and holds an exclusive contract with LexisNexis Practical Guidance relating to estate planning in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She was also invited to testify before the 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands on matters involving heirs property, prolonged probate, and vacant and abandoned historic properties.
Tully lives in St. Thomas with her husband and two sons.
