Jessica Lutkenhaus represents corporations and individuals in a broad range of investigations and related proceedings, including white collar criminal, anti–money laundering, and anti-discrimination matters. She has defended financial institutions, tech companies, and other clients in investigations brought by the Department of Justice, US Attorneys’ Offices, the SEC, FINRA, state Attorneys General, and other regulators. In addition, Ms. Lutkenhaus has significant experience in conducting sensitive investigations regarding allegations of sexual misconduct and discrimination, as well as reviews of company culture.  

Ms. Lutkenhaus also has substantial experience in complex civil and regulatory litigation. She has represented clients in federal court at all phases of litigation, including discovery, motions practice, trial, sentencing, and appeal. She is a member of the firm’s International Litigation Practice and has experience advocating for clients before the Department of State, US embassies, members of Congress, and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. 

Ms. Lutkenhaus is a member of the firm’s Ethics Committee.

Pro Bono Work

Ms. Lutkenhaus maintains an active pro bono practice, with a focus on human rights and government accountability. Ms. Lutkenhaus was selected as WilmerHale’s 2019 Pickering fellow and spent six months at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) working toward the organization’s mission of using legal action, research and communications to reduce the influence of money in politics and help foster a government that is ethical and accountable.  

Past Experience

Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Lutkenhaus served as a law clerk for the Honorable Lucy H. Koh of the Northern District of California and the Honorable Duane Benton of the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. While attending law school, she interned in the Office of the Legal Adviser in the US Department of State, the New York State Office of the Attorney General, and the Legal Resources Centre in Cape Town, South Africa.

  • Environmental Defender Romina Picolotti on Climate Justice and Human Rights

    WilmerHale’s podcast, In the Public Interest, welcomes renowned environmental activist and former Argentine Secretary of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Romina Picolotti, who speaks with WilmerHale Senior Associate Kelsey Quigley and Counsel Jessica Lutkenhaus. This episode focuses on the important intersection of climate justice and human rights.

    April 28, 2022
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Recognition

Insights & News

Credentials

  • Education

    • JD, Columbia Law School, 2014

      Articles Editor, Columbia Law Review, Irell and Manella Prize, James Kent Scholar

    • BS, Biology; second major in Political Science with distinction, Duke University, 2010

  • Admissions

    • District of Columbia

    • New York

  • Clerkships

    • The Hon. Lucy H. Koh, US District Court for the Northern District of California, 2015 - 2016

    • The Hon. Duane Benton, US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, 2014 - 2015

Credentials