Jonathan Hacker

Partner

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Jon Hacker chairs O’Melveny’s Supreme Court and Appellate Litigation Practice and resides in the firm’s Washington, DC office.

Top-ranked by Chambers USA since 2012, Jon is regarded by peers as “a phenomenal writer” and “a forceful advocate.” He has authored briefs in dozens of US Supreme Court cases at both the merits and certiorari stages. He has argued six cases in the US Supreme Court and appeals in every federal circuit. He has also briefed and argued appeals in numerous state courts, including New York, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, and the District of Columbia. Clients praise him as “such a down-to-earth person but an unparalleled oral advocate.”

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Honors & Awards

  • Recognized by Best Lawyers® for Appellate Practice in Washington, DC (2022-2023); Jon has been listed in Best Lawyers® since 2010
  • Recognized by Chambers USA for Appellate Law (2021-2022)
  • Recognized by The Legal 500 US  as a Leading Lawyer for Appellate (2020 & 2022); Listed in The Legal 500 US since 2017
  • Repeatedly selected as a leading US appellate lawyer by Chambers
  • “Superstar Of Insurance Law,” Insurance Business Magazine (2021)
  • “Local Litigation Star,” Benchmark Litigation (2018-2020, 2023)
  • “Litigator of the Week,” The American Lawyer (August 2015)
  • “Rising Appellate Star,”  The Wall Street Journal (January 2011)
  • “Appellate Lawyer of the Week,” National Law Journal (2011)

Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland

Court Admissions

  • US Supreme Court
  • All federal circuit courts of appeal
  • US District Court, District of Columbia 

Education

  • University of Michigan, J.D., 1995:  magna cum laude; Order of the Coif; Henry M. Campbell Memorial Scholarship (Law School’s highest award for graduates); Managing Editor, 1994-95, Associate Editor, 1993-94, Michigan Law Review; Winner, Campbell Moot Court Competition, 1994
  • Harvard College, A.B., 1990 (Social Studies): cum laude

Professional Activities

Clerkships

  • Honorable Bruce M. Selya, US Court of Appeals, First Circuit

Member

  • Co-Chair, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Supreme Court Amicus Committee
  • Barrister, Edward Coke Appellate Inn of Court

Co-Founder and Co-Director

  • HLS Supreme Court and Appellate Advocacy Clinic, Harvard Law School

In the News

Law360: Calif. Supreme Court Takes Up COVID-19 Coverage Appeal

March 2, 2023

Mealey’s Insurance: US High Court Refuses To Review No Coverage Ruling In Suit Arising From COVID-19

December 1, 2022

The National Law Journal: The 2022 NLJ Awards: Professional Excellence—Appellate Hot List

October 21, 2022

Law360: 4th Circ. Won’t Rehear Golden Corral’s Virus Coverage Suit

September 12, 2022

Law360: Book Publishers Say DOJ Hasn’t Shown Harm To Authors

August 19, 2022

Law360: Court Questions Penguin’s Bid Policy In Merger Challenge

August 18, 2022

Law360: Publishing Merger Won’t Hurt Competition, Yale Prof Says

August 16, 2022

Law360: Penguin Exec. Says Internal Book Competition Is Strong

August 15, 2022

Law360: Golden Corral Defeated In 4th Circ. Virus Coverage Appeal

August 11, 2022

Law360: Author, Agents Say Advances Only Part Of Puzzle

August 11, 2022

Law360: Agent Says Authors Want Best Deal, Not Most Upfront Money

August 10, 2022

Law360: Penguin CEO Says Simon & Schuster Deal Is For Market Share

August 4, 2022

Law360: DOJ Tells Judge Book Merger Would Reduce Author Pay

August 1, 2022

Law360: Chubb Unit Lands Win In Superstorm Sandy Damage Fight

August 1, 2022

Law360: 4th Circuit Declines to Rehear Auto Action’s COVID-19 Case

July 26, 2022

The National Law Journal: Latest Biden Nominees Would Be First Latino on DC Circuit, First Women of Color on 5th Circuit

June 15, 2022

Law360: 4th Circ. Affirms Chubb Unit’s Virus Coverage Win

June 15, 2022

Law360: O’Melveny Vet Would Bring Youth, Diversity To DC Circuit

June 15, 2022

Law36: 11th Circ. Upholds Florida Restaurant’s Virus Coverage Loss

May 13, 2022

The National Law Journal: SCOTUS Advocates Seek Permanent Livestreaming of Oral Arguments

March 15, 2022

Law360: Del. High Court Relieves Chubb Of Defending Opioid Suits

January 10, 2022

Reuters: Delaware Top Court Says Rite Aid Can’t Get Insurance Coverage for Opioid Cases

January 10, 2022

Law360: Netflix Improperly Poached Fox Execs, Calif. Panel Says

December 3, 2021

Insurance Business Magazine: 5-Star Law Firms and Lawyers

July 15, 2021

Alerts and Publications

Press Releases