Jennifer Sheppard Jacobs was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. She graduated from Hillwood High School and attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where she was a member of Phi Eta Sigma and Gamma Beta Phi Honor Societies.  Jennifer continued her education at Nashville School of Law.

Jennifer managed a solo practice in Nashville for eight years before joining MHPS in 2013.  Her early practice included criminal defense, family law and other matters of civil litigation.  In 2010, her practice shifted to cases involving children and adults with disabilities. Today, Jennifer handles probate litigation, conservatorships, guardianships, the administration of estates, and adoptions.  She also accepts appointments from the Davidson County Probate Court to serve as Conservator, Personal Representative for Estates, and Guardian Ad Litem.

Jennifer is a founding partner of Martin Heller Potempa & Sheppard, PLLC.  She is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association and the Nashville Bar Association. Jennifer serves on Davidson County’s Office of Conservatorship Management’s Policies and Procedures Committee, the Probate Committee for the Nashville Bar Association, and she is an active volunteer for both the Legal Aid Society and Youth Court.

Jennifer sits on the Board for the Conservatorship Association of Tennessee (CAT), and she chairs CAT’s Legislative Committee.  She has been instrumental in implementing updates and reform related to the practice of conservatorship/guardianship law. In 2025, the National Guardianship Association honored Jennifer as a graduate of its inaugural NGA Leadership class.

Jennifer is a frequent lecturer for the NBA, TBA, and the Nashville Business Institute on topics related to probate administration and litigation, client relations, and professional ethics. She is serving her second term as a hearing panel member for the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility.

Jennifer is married to another Nashville native, Ben Jacobs.  They live in West Nashville with their daughter, dog, and cat.  When she’s not working, Jennifer enjoys traveling, attending music festivals, and spending time with loved ones.