Jennifer Sokoler, Co-Chair of O’Melveny’s Education Litigation & Investigations Practice, is an accomplished litigator and regulatory lawyer whose practice focuses on appellate, administrative, and other complex litigation matters. Jennifer has particular expertise advising and representing educational institutions and healthcare companies. She has drafted briefs and other trial submissions in numerous state and federal courts as well as the United States Supreme Court.

Prior to rejoining O’Melveny in 2023, Jennifer served as a Special Assistant to the President, Associate White House Counsel, and Chief of Staff to the White House Counsel, advising the President and other senior White House and Executive Branch officials on complex legal issues and pending litigation involving education, immigration, and gun violence, as well as implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the international response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Leading up to her time at the White House, she drafted executive orders and advised on significant litigation matters as counsel for the Biden-Harris Transition’s Foreign and National Security Policy Team.

In private practice, Jennifer has considerable experience representing colleges and universities, including defending educational institutions sued for taking disciplinary action against students found to have committed sexual misconduct, advising colleges on policies and procedures affecting student speech and campus security, and drafting amicus briefs on behalf of more than fifteen colleges and universities in the ongoing litigation to oppose the rescission of DACA. She also advises insurers and healthcare providers navigating the complex regulatory challenges created by the Affordable Care Act, and has prepared comments on rules proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Paving the way for her extensive background in federal courts and legislation, Jennifer completed three clerkships before entering private practice, including serving as a law clerk to US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. She also served as a senior advisor to US Ambassador Samantha Power, as well as in fellow programs with the UN Human Rights Committee and the Center for Reproductive Rights.