Jonathan Wilkerson is a member of The Lanier Law Firm's Commercial Litigation group. He brings extensive experience in all phases of business and real estate litigation, fact gathering and support in governmental investigations, as well as due diligence in mergers and acquisitions, and discovery, pre-trial, trial, and post-trial support in several patent litigation matters. Jonathan was recently named by the National Trial Lawyers organization as one of the Top 40 Under 40 litigation attorneys for the state of Texas in 2019. For his prior law firm, he co-founded a special prosecutor program with the City of Austin to provide courtroom experience for junior associates.
Jonathan began his education at Abilene Christian University where he received a B.S., Agribusiness with highest honors in 2004. There he distinguished himself as a Jack Pope Fellow, student body president, SGA Treasurer and as a leader for a variety of other student organizations. He was also honored with the University Scholar Award, Trustee Award, Young American Award, and National Eagle Scout Scholarship.
Jonathan next attended Texas Tech University School of Law, where he received his J.D. with highest honors. He served as Editor-in-Chief for the Texas Tech Law Review and graduated first in his class in 2009. During law school, he took a year to serve as an Ambassadorial Scholar for the Rotary Foundation in England and studied international law at the Newcastle University Law School. While at Texas Tech, he also participated in several organizations including the Texas State Moot Court Team. He received multiple scholarships such as the Texas Tech Regents Scholarship, West Texas Legal Legends Scholarship, the Phi Delta Phi Balfour Scholarship, and the Helen Hodges Scholarship.
During law school, Jonathan served as a judicial intern to The Honorable Robert A. Junell, District Judge for the Western District of Texas in 2007. After graduation, he served as a law clerk to The Honorable Fortunato P. Benavides, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit from 2009-2010. Jonathan then practiced for several years at the preeminent law firm of Vinson & Elkins before joining the team at LLF.
In a short but successful span of time, Jonathan accumulated a tremendous amount of experience in all stages of his litigation practice including drafting pleadings, handling discovery, authoring and arguing motions, taking depositions, assisting with pre-trial, trial, and post-trial responsibilities. Just a few highlights of his distinguished career have included:
Acting as a lead associate in a successful multi-million-dollar lawsuit brought by a client-investment firm against a real estate developer.
Garnering a favorable settlement, on behalf of his clients, in a global real estate services company lawsuit, arising out of a failed master-planned resort development outside Las Vegas, Nevada.
Representing a wireless technology company in patent infringement litigation involving multiple patents relating to the modulation and coding of wireless broadband and cellular telephone signals.
He represented and assisted, as second chair, in a settlement for a coalition of sugar farmers and producers in their suit against agribusiness conglomerates for false advertising.
Representing, as part of a team, a leading automobile parts supplier and its affiliates in a series of criminal grand jury investigations and civil litigation involving semiconductors and consumer products.
Assisted, second chair, in a settlement involving a San Antonio school district dispute against a Fortune 500 company for breach of contract stemming from faulty installation and maintenance of equipment.
He was part of a team representing energy companies in their separate arbitration proceedings against other companies and individuals on breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty claims, concluding with a settlement.
Representing an Audit Committee of a multinational tech company, as part of a team, in conducting an independent investigation into foreign conduct, defense before the SEC from company counsel, and presenting to the SEC and DOJ.
Successfully represented a young medical technology company, to settlement, in their breach of contract and trade secrets misappropriation claims against a foreign medical school.
Performing litigation due diligence for several energy clients in their acquisitions.
He also assisted in bringing about a successful resolution, as second chair, representing a former state judge in a breach of contract dispute against a Fortune 50 energy company.
His current practice in various lawsuits and arbitrations proceedings touch on a wide range of issues including representing clients in various antitrust matters as well as litigation involving the sports and entertainment industry. He has been actively involved in representing whistleblowers in qui tam actions under the False Claims Act as well as representing a medical practice group in breach of contract & DTPA claims.
He has also distinguished himself through his extensive pro bono experience. Wilkerson successfully represented a federal inmate's motion for reduction based on the 2014 drug guideline amendment and coordinating the filing of her clemency petition with the Clemency Project 2014 to the Department of Justice. His involvement was featured in detail on NPR's "All Things Considered". He further drafted an amicus curiae brief on behalf of a nonprofit civil rights organization involving a First Amendment issue and assisted with a multi-state child custody issue. For his efforts, he was honored with the Texas Civil Rights Project Kristi Couvillon Pro Bono Award in 2011.
Jonathan has shared his insights with the publication of several white papers and articles such as:
"U.S. Supreme Court to Review ?Exceptional' Case under 35 U.S.C. Section 285," V&E IP Insights E-communication, October 2, 2013 (co-author)
"An Emerging Corporate Strategy: Forum-Selection Provisions for Intra-Corporate Disputes," Securities Litigation Insights, Winter 2011 (co-author with Jennifer B. Poppe)
"Max's Taxes: A Tax-Based Analysis of Pet Trusts," 43 University of Richmond Law Review 1219, 2009 (co-author with Gerry W. Beyer)
"Does Contemporary International Law Recognize a Right To Intervene Militarily in Another State on Account of Serious Human Rights Violations?" 23 Texas Transnational Law Quarterly 11, 2009
Jonathan was admitted to practice in Texas in 2009, and the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in 2010.
He is currently a member of the American Bar Association, State Bar of Texas, Austin Young Lawyers Association, and he serves as the Treasurer of the Federal Bar Association - Austin Chapter. Jonathan was named to the prestigious Rising Stars in Texas list in 2017 and 2018. He is also a member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Judging Contest Committee.
