Jonathan S. Jeffress

Partner | Federal Criminal Defense Attorney

Experienced federal defense counsel representing clients in complex criminal cases, high-profile investigations, trials, and appeals.

"He is fantastic at trial, with real courtroom presence."

Chambers USA, 2024

Jonathan brings extensive experience in federal criminal defense, including 14 years as an Assistant Federal Public Defender for the District of Columbia. He represents clients facing complex federal criminal charges and high-stakes government investigations, with experience spanning pretrial proceedings, trial litigation, and appeals.

Experience

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, 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.