Experience 

Jonathan Medow is a senior trial lawyer who has practiced with Mayer Brown since 1983.  Throughout his career, and particularly during the last ten years, Jonathan’s practice has focused heavily on the defense of major accounting firms in significant cases across the country.  He has represented Ernst & Young, Deloitte & Touche, KPMG, Arthur Andersen and Grant Thornton. 

Over the entirety of his career, Jonathan has handled a variety of matters in a number of fields.  He has extensive trial experience, including in disputes between natural gas producers and pipelines, challenges to dead-hand poison pills, and a host of bankruptcy matters (contested plan proceedings, valuation disputes, etc.).  He has successfully argued appeals in various courts, including in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.  Jonathan has also represented clients on a pro bono basis.  He has, among other things, used DNA evidence to secure the acquittal of a defendant wrongfully charged with aggravated sexual assualt.

Among the comments clients have made about Jonathan are:  he is “as good as any I’ve seen” (Chambers USA 2007); he “does a fantastic job – he is capable, smart and works hard” (Chambers USA 2006); and he is an “expert” in the field of securities litigation (Chambers USA 2008).

Prior to joining Mayer Brown, Jonathan served as a Law Clerk to The Honorable Susan Getzendanner, US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (1981-1983).

Notable Engagements 

• SEC Investigation of Waste Management.  Negotiating on behalf of Arthur Andersen a resolution of one of the largest investigations of a major accounting firm in Commission history.
• IKON Securities Litigation.  Obtaining summary judgment in Ernst & Young’s favor in a major market fraud case.
• Asche Arbitration.  Defeating all claims asserted against Ernst & Young during a 30+ day arbitration initiated by a bankruptcy trustee.
• Grand Court Lifestyles Litigation.  Obtaining partial summary judgment in Deloitte & Touche’s favor on claims filed by a committee of unsecured creditors, and thereafter negotiating a favorable settlement.
• Alabama Hospital Association v. Ernst &Young.  Negotiating a favorable resolution on behalf of Ernst & Young of claims arising out of a series of health care mergers.
• Charter Communications Security Litigation.  Negotiating a favorable resolution on behalf of Arthur Andersen in a major market fraud case.
• Confidential SEC Investigations.  Successfully representing auditors and audit firms in various SEC investigations closed without the institution of charges.
• People v. Larry Lee.  Obtaining an acquittal of a defendant wrongfully charged with aggravated sexual assault.
• Magma Power v. Dow Chemical.  Obtaining judgment in Dow’s favor on claims asserted under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act and thereafter defending the judgment on appeal.
• In re Sheffield Properties.  Successfully establishing the valuation of the One Magnificent Mile office and retail tower in Chicago.
• Natural Gas Pipeline v. The Anschutz Corporation.  Successfully arbitrating a claim for the return of substantial proceeds.

Education 

Harvard Law School, JD, magna cum laude, 1981; Board of Editors, Law Review • Stanford University, BA, with distinction, 1978; Phi Beta Kappa

Admitted

• US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, 2001
• US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, 1997
• Various federal district courts, 1995-1996
• US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 1988
• US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 1981
• Illinois, 1981