Jon L. Jessiman graduated from the University of British Columbia with his LL.B. in 1962. After graduation he practiced law in Vancouver, eventually specializing in Admiralty Law and working primarily as counsel in the Federal Court System, although concurrent jurisdiction in maritime law meant his cases would sometimes need to be argued at all levels of courts.
Jessiman's legal education didn't conclude with obtaining his LL.B. from the University of British Columbia in 1962. Education presented an opportunity to travel as well, and he took graduate diploma studies at Stanford University and the National University of Singapore before beginning an LL.M. at UBC in the 1980s. He went on to complete doctoral studies in England and Washington, earing an LL.D. and a D.Sc.Jur. As a strong academic, Jessiman also taught law to students of his own. He was appointed to form the BC Centre for International Education, to assist efforts of BC Universities and Colleges in international education. During this tenure, he was also the Dean of Students and Instructional Services at Capilano University.
Mr. Jessiman returned to private practice in the early 2000s, and re-dedicated himself to community involvements. He was a co-founder of the Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre for Greater Vancouver some decades previous, and continued to support its work. He also continued service with the United Church of Canada, serving as Deputy Moderator of the national church, as well as in a variety of capacities with Vancouver School of Theology, including as Acting Chancellor, Acting Principal, and as a member of the Board of Governors.