Jonathan Morris is a seasoned litigator with a rare combination of frontline jury trial experience and sophisticated appellate advocacy, enabling him to guide cases from initial investigation through verdict and appeal. As Senior Counsel at Sanders Roberts LLP, his practice focuses on civil litigation—with particular experience in personal injury defense, administrative law, and government-related matters—as well as trial strategy and risk assessment for corporate and individual clients. He has built a career primarily representing defendants and respondents, giving him a deep understanding of defense-side litigation and exposure analysis.
 

Jonathan has tried multiple jury cases to verdict and achieved favorable settlements on behalf of his clients. He has taken and defended scores of depositions, managed expert-heavy litigation, and argued dispositive motions in state and federal court. Clients rely on his ability to quickly assess exposure, craft clear litigation strategy, and communicate risk to business stakeholders.

 

Before joining Sanders Roberts LLP, Jonathan served more than four years as lead appellate counsel for the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), where he presented multiple federal appellate oral arguments resulting in published decisions. During his tenure at the VA, he was competitively selected as a Congressional Fellow and advised a senior Member of Congress on legislative funding and appropriations matters.


Jonathan then transitioned to private practice at Horvitz & Levy LLP, representing clients before the California Courts of Appeal, the Ninth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. His written advocacy includes an amici curiae brief cited by Justice Alito in Groff v. DeJoy, 600 U.S. 447 (2023). He later served as in-house trial counsel for State Farm, where he gained extensive jury trial and courtroom experience in personal injury and high-exposure civil cases.


Jonathan is a graduate of The Ohio State University, a former NCAA student-athlete, and a proud veteran of the Ohio Army National Guard.

Education
  • B.A., The Ohio State University
  • J.D., The Ohio State University Moritz College
Admissions
  • California
  • District of Columbia
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
Publications
  • Co-author, “Bench Trials,” in California Trial Practice: Civil Procedure During Trial, 3rd ed., ed. Linda Compton et al., (Berkeley, CA: CEB, 1994)
  • Co-author, Recent Developments in Arbitration of Employment Discrimination Disputes, National Employment Law Council, 1998
Published Opinions
  • PUBLISHED OPINIONS HUD v. Rucker, 535 U.S. 125 (2002)
  • Ingram v. Pacific Gas & Electric Company, 690 Fed.Appx. 527 (9th Cir. 2017)
  • Veloz v. Pacific Gas & Electric Company, 655 Fed.Appx. 537 (9th Cir. 2016)
  • Gregory v. Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co., 611 Fed.Appx. 410 (9th Cir. 2015)
  • Goos v. Shell Oil Co., 451 Fed.Appx. 700 (9th Cir. 2011)
  • Embury v. King, 179 Fed.Appx. 409 (9th Cir. 2006)
  • Embury v. King, 361 F.3d 562 (9th Cir. 2004)
  • Lifescan, Inc. v. Premier Diabetic Services, Inc., 363 F.3d 1010 (9th Cir. 2004)
  • U.S. ex rel. Honeywell, Inc. v. San Francisco Housing Authority, 83 Fed.Appx. 181 (9th Cir. 2003)
  • Rucker v. Davis, 304 F.3d 904 (9th Cir. 2002)
  • Rucker v. Davis, 237 F.3d 1113 (9th Cir. 2001)
Speaking Engagements
  • “Vore, vire, vua- what the …?? Figuring out Voir Dire,” National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms Driving Diversity & Leadership Conference, March 2024
  • “Electronic Evidence Issues In The Modern Era: Laying A Foundation For Trial,” National Employment Law Council Annual Conference, May 2023
  • “Off the Record: The Real Experience of POC Attorneys,” California Minority Counsel Program Business Conference, October 2022
  • “Inclusive Sourcing: Insights from Minority and Women-Owned Legal Firms and the In-House Teams That Hire Them,” National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms Annual Meeting, September 2022
  • “Labor Issues in the Biden Administration,” Elevating Black Excellence Regional Summit (Midwest, Virtual), June 2021
  • “Labor Issues in the Biden Administration,” Elevating Black Excellence Summit (Virtual), April 2021
Education
  • B.A., Dartmouth College
  • J.D., University of California at Berkeley, School of Law
Admissions
  • California