Jennifer Sokoler 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.
Colleges & Universities
- Represented multiple major colleges and universities in lawsuits arising from disciplinary actions and transition to remote learning due to COVID-19.
- Represented large university in high-profile lawsuit challenging ownership of sensitive historical artifact.
- Conducted internal investigations on behalf of public and private universities into allegations of faculty misconduct.
- Advised on Title IX compliance and policies affecting student speech.
Health Care
- Represented leading health plans in False Claims Act litigation based on participation in Medicare programs.
- Represented national health care payor in multi-forum trial-level and appellate litigation challenging a popular insurance program under state law.
- Drafted amicus briefs on behalf of Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and America’s Health Insurance Plans.
International Arbitration
- Obtained favorable award for domestic technology company in dispute arising from a joint venture with a foreign company after a five-day arbitration hearing.
Financial Services
- Represented leading bank in putative class action related to large Ponzi scheme.
Admissions
Bar Admissions
- New York
Court Admissions
- US Supreme Court
- US Court of Appeals for the Second, Fifth, Sixth, Ninth and Eleventh Circuits
- US District Court, Southern District of New York
Education
- Columbia University, J.D., 2010: Note Editor, Columbia Law Review; James Kent Scholar; Pauline Berman Heller Prize, awarded to the highest ranked female graduating student
- Barnard College, B.A., Political Science, 2006: summa cum laude; Phi Beta Kappa
Professional Activities
Affiliations
- Former Board Member, Center for Reproductive Rights
- Former Term Member, Council on Foreign Relations
- Former Adjunct Professor, Columbia Law School
Fellowships
- United States Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power
- Center for Reproductive Rights
Clerkships
- Honorable Sonia Sotomayor, Supreme Court of the United States
- Honorable Robert A. Katzmann, US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- Honorable Denise Cote, US District Court for the Southern District of New York
Publications
- “Between Substance and Procedure: A Role for States’ Interests in the Scope of the Confrontation Clause,” 110 Colum. L. Rev. 161 (2010)