Jonathan Hughes, head of the firm's San Francisco and Silicon Valley offices, is an experienced trial lawyer, serving as lead trial counsel in high-stakes jury, bench and arbitration trials for clients that are confronted with issues that put them at substantial economic and reputational risk. Recognized as one of the Daily Journal's "Top 100 Attorneys" in California, Mr. Hughes represents clients in complex commercial cases, consumer and class actions, and false claims act cases.
Mr. Hughes also represents law firms and law firm partners in malpractice claims, partnership disputes and claims asserted in bankruptcy cases. Having represented more than half of the 50 largest firms in California, including eight of the state's 10 largest firms and more than one third of the AmLaw 100, as well as numerous small- and mid-sized law firms, firms also call on Mr. Hughes to provide counseling and advice on complex conflicts and other legal ethics matters.
In addition to his responsibilities as head of the firm's San Francisco and Silicon Valley offices, Mr. Hughes also serves as co-chair of the firm's ethics committee. Prior to his firm's merger with Arnold & Porter, Mr. Hughes was a director at Howard, Rice, Nemerovski, Canady, Falk & Rabkin, PC.
Experience
- BP - lead trial counsel in California action alleging claims under the California False Claims Act relating to natural gas sales.
- Airbus Helicopters - lead trial counsel in Texas action seeking damages relating to purchase of helicopters.
- Recology – obtained favorable jury verdicts in multiple, separate jury trials, alleging employment, False Claims Act and business tort claims.
- MMPIA – obtained summary judgment for client in adversary proceeding brought in bankruptcy court in Los Angeles, challenging the client's acquisition of controlling interest in company with one of the largest private real estate holdings in southern California.
- Ariba, Inc. – obtained defense verdict and verdict for client on cross-claims in jury trial in Tampa, Florida in case brought by failed start-up business asserting various business interference claims.
- Research in Motion (now BlackBerry) – successfully represented company in shutting down and obtaining damages arising from large-scale counterfeiting operation in southern California.
- Oakland Raiders – four-month jury trial in Sacramento, California resulting in a $34.2 million jury verdict in favor of the client.
Recognition
Credentials
Education
- J.D., University of California, Hastings College of the Law, 1996, Order of the Coif
- A.B., Political Science, University of California, Davis, 1993, cum laude
Admissions
- California
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Clerkships
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, The Honorable Melvin Brunetti
Activities
- Member, Association of Business Trial Lawyers
- Member, Bar Association of San Francisco
- Member, American Bar Association, Litigation Section