Partner
Jonathan M. Baum

Practices
Education
University of California, Berkeley School of Law, J.D.
- Articles Editor, California Law Review
- Co-Coordinator, California Asylum Representation Clinic
Yale University, M.A.
- Managing Editor, Yale Journal of International Affairs
Northwestern University, B.S.
Clerkship
Hon. Marsha J. Pechman, Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Admissions
- California
- Washington
- District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
Recognitions
- Awarded “Most Important Case of the Year” by the Global Investigations Review for the complete acquittal of Dr. Michael Lynch in a 12-week fraud jury trial, 2024.
Jonathan Baum represents companies and executives in high-stakes criminal and civil matters, including federal and state investigations, trials, and enforcement actions involving trade secrets, economic espionage, bribery, and fraud. He also advises companies and non-profit institutions on complex civil disputes, including business and employment litigation.
Jonathan has defended clients in cases involving parallel civil and criminal exposure, sensitive public corruption allegations, and cross-border investigations. He has served as lead trial counsel in matters ranging from trade secret theft to public corruption and routinely helps clients navigate the legal, reputational, and strategic complexities of government scrutiny. His experience includes securing complete acquittals and pre-trial dismissals in cases with national media attention.
Known for his strategic judgment and persuasive advocacy, Jonathan draws on his background as a speechwriter for public officials and Fortune 500 executives to craft compelling narratives in and out of the courtroom. His calm, focused approach makes him a trusted advisor to clients facing significant legal and reputational risk.
In addition to his practice, Jonathan has served as an adjunct professor at UC Berkeley School of Law and other law schools on the East and West Coasts, where he has taught courses on criminal practice, professional responsibility, and white collar crime.
Professional Affiliations
- Bar Association of San Francisco, member (2017 – present)
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, member (2017 – present)
- S. District Court, Northern District of California’s Federal Criminal Justice Act Panel, member (2021 – 2023)
Pro Bono and Community Involvement
- East Bay Sanctuary Covenant, Volunteer Attorney (2008 – 2010)
- KALW, General Counsel (2017 – 2021)
Media Coverage
- Mentioned in “Litigators of the Week: In Case Prosecutors Described as Silicon Valley’s Biggest Corporate Fraud, Two Complete Defense Verdicts,” Am Law Litigation Daily (June 2024)
- Mentioned in “Ex-USF Ballplayers In Uphill Battle For Sex Harassment Cert.,” Law360 (February 2025)
- Mentioned in “Ex-USF Ballplayers Denied Class Cert. In Sex Harassment Suit,” Law360 (March 2025)
- Mentioned in “Whistleblower Claims Would ‘Destroy’ Autonomy, GC Was Told,” Law360 (May 2024)
- Mentioned in “Ex-Autonomy GC Tells Jurors He Wanted To Be ‘Helpful’ To HP,” Law360 (April 2024)
Experience
Representative Experience
- Successfully secured a complete defense acquittal for former Autonomy CEO Dr. Mike Lynch in a 13-year U.S. federal criminal securities and accounting fraud case. The case relates to HP’s $11-billion acquisition of Autonomy in 2011.
- Represented the former head of San Francisco’s Public Utilities Commission in a public corruption trial, resulting in an acquittal on several charges. Gave closing argument and cross-examined several witnesses.
- Represented a major Bay Area university in a class action case involving sexual harassment claims involving the university’s Division I athletic program.
- Secured dismissal weeks before trial for technology company executive charged with criminal trade secret theft.
- Secured dismissal weeks before trial for a military contractor charged with conspiracy to commit bribery related to Iraq War reconstruction efforts.
- Represented employees of a Fortune 500 pharmaceutical company in a Medicare fraud investigation.
- Served as lead trial counsel for a tech company employee charged with a criminal offense in California state court. All charges were dismissed after a two-week jury trial.
- Represented the CEO of a major website company in defense of charges related to money laundering and bank fraud.
- Represented multiple executives and former executives at a major Bay Area tech company in connection with investigations relating to the company’s domestic and overseas operations.
- Represented an engineer criminally charged in the Northern District of California with conspiring to steal trade secrets and transfer them to China.
Education
University of California, Berkeley School of Law, J.D.
- Articles Editor, California Law Review
- Co-Coordinator, California Asylum Representation Clinic
Yale University, M.A.
- Managing Editor, Yale Journal of International Affairs
Northwestern University, B.S.
Recognitions
- Awarded “Most Important Case of the Year” by the Global Investigations Review for the complete acquittal of Dr. Michael Lynch in a 12-week fraud jury trial, 2024.