Jonathan Jeffress
Partner
jjeffress@kaiserlaw.com | P (202) 640-4430
"He is fantastic at trial, with real courtroom presence."– Chambers USA, 2024
Jonathan Jeffress is a “name to note with regular success in criminal trials.” – The Legal 500
Jonathan S. Jeffress served the District of Columbia as an Assistant Federal Public Defender for 14 years, regularly taking on – and defeating – the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in court. Since entering private practice at Kaiser, Jon has represented clients in all phases of federal criminal cases, including through numerous successfully litigated trials and appeals. Jon has led the representation of clients in multiple high-profile matters such as the Special Counsel Office’s Investigation into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election and spin-off investigations. Jon specializes in representing clients under investigation for alleged false statements, bribery, and campaign finance violations.
Jon has successfully argued appeals in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and the Supreme Court of Virginia. He lectures regularly on law enforcement sting operations to Federal Defender Offices across the country and members of the Criminal Justice Act Panels. He is a member of the boards of directions of several community non-profits, including those committed to criminal justice reform and affordable housing in the District of Columbia. Jon previously served as a Screening Committee Member for President Barack Obama’s Clemency Project 2014, where he was responsible for reviewing and making recommendations for executive clemency in the wake of significant changes in federal sentencing law.
Prior to joining the Federal Public Defender’s office, Jon was an associate at Williams & Connolly. Jon is a member of the Edward Bennett Williams American Inn of Court, an invitation-only professional organization devoted to white-collar criminal practice.
Education
- J.D., University of Virginia School of Law
- B.A., Williams College (cum laude)
Government Service
- Clerkship, United States District Court Judge, Thomas F. Hogan
- Assistant Federal Public Defender, District of Columbia
Jonathan Jeffress
Partner
jjeffress@kaiserlaw.com | P (202) 640-4430
Law 360 – “Handling Corporate Congressional Probes In The Trump Era” co-authored by Bill Pittard
January 17, 2019Matt Kaiser in The Washington Post: The Education Department wants to make campus sexual misconduct hearings fairer. It should go further.
September 6, 2018Law360 – “The Latest On Sexual Harassment Reform On The Hill” by Bill Pittard
February 23, 2018Matt Kaiser Publishes Op-Ed for The Washington Post: Lawyers: DeVos is bringing due process to campus sexual assault cases
September 11, 2017Law 360 – “When Russia Investigations Collide” by Bill Pittard
June 7, 2017Matt Kaiser Publishes Op-Ed: Minnesota’s Failed Football Boycott Was a Blow to Fairness in Campus Sexual Assault Hearings
December 20, 2016Matt Kaiser Co-Authors Op-Ed in Los Angeles Times: Absurdity Reigns in Campus Sexual Assault Trials.
April 21, 2016Matt Kaiser Guest Blogs on Washington Legal Foundation The Legal Pulse: Overcriminalization Timeline: Mens Rea, Public Welfare Offenses and Responsible Corporate Officer Doctrine
November 16, 2015Matt Kaiser Co-Authors Editorial in the Los Angeles Times: How to Punish Campus Sexual Assault
November 14, 2015Matt Kaiser Publishes an Editorial in The Washington Times: Being an Executive is not a Crime
November 11, 2015Matt Kaiser Publishes Editorial in LA Times: Why It’s Unfair for Colleges to Use Outside Investigators in Rape Cases.
September 16, 2015Matt Kaiser Co-Authors Op-Ed in the National Law Journal: The DOJ’s Crackdown on White-Collar Crime Creates ‘Cruel Alternative’
September 14, 2015Matt Kaiser Publishes Op-ed in The Weekly Standard: The Campus Sex Scene: How Congress Can Make It Worse
August 6, 2015Matt Kaiser Co-Authors Op-ed in The Washington Post: We’ve defended lots of campus sexual assault cases, so we know just how unfair they are
July 24, 2015Matt Kaiser Publishes Editorial in Baltimore Sun: A Minimum of Reform
November 14, 2014Matt Kaiser Co-Authors Op-Ed in San Diego Union-Tribune: California Bill Won’t Solve Sexual Assault Problem on Campus
September 3, 2014Matt Kaiser Publishes Op-Ed in Boston Herald: College Courts Flunks Fairness Test
August 16, 2014Matt Kaiser Publishes an Article for Time Magazine: Some Rules about Consent are “Unfair” to Male Students”
May 15, 2014Matt Kaiser Publishes an Editorial in the Wall Street Journal: The White House Flunks a Test on Sexual Assault
May 5, 2014Matt Kaiser Co-Authors Opinion for The Wall Street Journal: The White House Flunks a Test on Sexual Assault
May 5, 2014Matt Kaiser Co-Authors a Letter to the Editor in the New York Times: The Rights of the Accused
April 28, 2014Jonathan Jeffress
Partner
jjeffress@kaiserlaw.com | P (202) 640-4430
Defending Justice: The Fight Against Politically Motivated Prosecutions
Jon Jeffress Shares Insights on Donald Trump’s Threats of Political Retribution in The Hill
Pro Bono Kaiser Team Secures Rare Compassionate Release of Client with Severe Disabilities
Kaiser Receives Firm and Individual Lawyer Recognitions in the 2023 Chambers USA Guide
Kaiser Receives 2023 Outstanding Achievement Award from the Washington Lawyers’ Committee
Kaiser Recognized for Both White Collar Defense and Ethics and Professional Responsibility
Kaiser Attorneys Jon Jeffress and William Zapf Earn Hard-Fought Victory in the Supreme Court of Virginia
Kaiser Receives Firm and Individual Lawyer Recognitions in the 2022 Chambers USA Guide
Jonathan Jeffress
Partner
jjeffress@kaiserlaw.com | P (202) 640-4430
Federal agents came to my door. What should I do? — Jonathan Jeffress
PlayA Prosecutor wants me to plead guilty to a felony. Do I have other options? — Jonathan Jeffress
PlayWhat should I do if federal agents have executed a search warrant for my home or business? — Jonathan Jeffress
PlayA loved one has been arrested on federal charges. What will happen next? — Jonathan Jeffress
PlayWhat should I do if I received a letter stating that I’m a target of a criminal investigation? — Jonathan Jeffress
PlayJonathan Jeffress
Partner
jjeffress@kaiserlaw.com | P (202) 640-4430
