Jonathan P. Hawley
Jonathan Hawley is a seasoned litigator who vigorously represents corporate clients, nonprofit organizations, political candidates, and voters.
He focuses on political law and commercial matters, litigating state and federal cases from pretrial discovery and motions practice through appeal.
While working as an attorney at Elias Law Group during the last redistricting cycle, Jonathan litigated successful Voting Rights Act claims in Georgia and Louisiana, shepherded the judicial redistricting process in Minnesota, and secured the constitutional redrawing of New York's congressional map. He also served on the trial team that successfully defended Oregon's congressional plan and argued the justiciability of partisan-gerrymandering claims before the New Hampshire Supreme Court. [see more]
Jonathan began his practice as an associate at Perkins Coie, where he worked to expand and safeguard voting rights across the nation. Following the 2020 election, he represented Nevada's Democratic presidential electors to defend President-elect Joe Biden's victory and secured dismissal of a challenge brought under the Federal Contested Elections Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. Jonathan also litigated commercial claims on behalf of clients in the technology and healthcare industries.
Before law school, Jonathan served as special assistant and chief of staff to inventor Dean Kamen.
Areas of focus
Education & Credentials
Education
- The University of Chicago Law School, J.D., with honors, Staff Member, The University of Chicago Law Review, 2017
- Harvard College, A.B., History, cum laude, Senior Writer, Harvard Political Review, 2010
Bar and Court Admissions
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Washington
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California
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Montana
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District of Columbia
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Montana
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Related Employment
- Elias Law Group, Seattle, WA, Associate, 2021-2023; Counsel, 2024
- Perkins Coie, Seattle, WA, Associate, 2019-2021
- Irell & Manella, Los Angeles, CA, Summer Associate, 2016
- Marvel Studios, Burbank, CA, Business & Legal Affairs Summer Associate, 2015
Clerkships
- Hon. Milan D. Smith, Jr., U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- Hon. Philip S. Gutierrez, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
Professional Recognition
Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, 2021-2022
Insights
News
Professional Experience
Political Law
Oberweis v. Underwood
U.S. House of Representatives
Secured prompt dismissal of a Federal Contested Elections Act contest that challenged the 2020 election results for Illinois’s Fourteenth Congressional District; the Committee on House Administration unanimously voted to dismiss the contest.
LaRose v. Simon
Minnesota Supreme Court
Minnesota Second Judicial District Court
Represented Minnesota Alliance for Retired Americans Educational Fund and individual voters in challenge to Minnesota’s witness-signature requirement and election day receipt deadline for absentee ballots; secured entry of consent decree with Minnesota Secretary of State suspending those rules during the 2020 primary and general elections.
Paher v. Cegavske
U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada
Successfully intervened to defend Nevada’s decision to conduct a primarily by-mail primary election during the COVID-19 pandemic; secured dismissal of case.
Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. v. Cegavske
U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada
Successfully intervened to defend Nevada legislation expanding access to the franchise; secured dismissal of case.
Corona v. Cegavske
Nevada First Judicial District Court
Challenged Nevada’s voter assistance ban and signature match rules; case was voluntarily dismissed after legislature enacted remedial legislation on August 3, 2020.
Issa v. Newsom
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
Successfully intervened to defend California’s expansion of mail voting during 2020 election season; case was then voluntarily dismissed.
Cook County Republican Party v. Pritzker
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Successfully intervened to defend Illinois’s expansion of mail voting during 2020 election season; secured dismissal of case.