Jonathan is an esteemed commercial litigator with over 30 years of experience, notably spending 12 years at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP in its New York office, where he ascended to Partner in the Complex Commercial Litigation Group, and 18 years in Thelen’s New York office as a Partner on the Business Litigation Team. His tenure there exemplified his prowess in managing intricate litigation matters and delivering exceptional results for clients.

Jonathan holds a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School and an A.B. from Harvard University, where he distinguished himself as a John Harvard Scholar and graduated magna cum laude. His academic background underscores his deep intellectual rigor and commitment to excellence in legal practice.

Before transitioning to private practice, Jonathan served as a Senior Trial Attorney in the Economic Crimes Bureau of the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, where he investigated and prosecuted a wide range of financial frauds, labor racketeering, extortion, and embezzlement cases. His extensive civil and criminal trial experience includes serving as first chair counsel in over 20 trials, handling litigation across 18 states, and acting as national coordinating counsel overseeing cases in 15 states for major corporate clients. Jonathan has managed a substantial caseload of over 23,000 cases for a global auto company in New York and has represented clients from around the world, demonstrating his global litigation prowess.

Jonathan’s practice encompasses commercial contract disputes, warranty claims, fraud cases, securities class actions, derivative litigation, D&O matters, employment disputes, technology conflicts, and litigation arising from M&A transactions. He has also navigated consumer class actions and a wide spectrum of litigation issues for clients in industries including consumer products, financial services, construction, real estate, pharmaceuticals, and technology.

Known for his strategic acumen and dedication to client success, Jonathan Polonsky continues to be a pivotal figure in the legal field, adeptly navigating complex legal landscapes and achieving favorable outcomes for his clients, often before extensive litigation costs accrue. His collaborative approach makes him a valuable asset to any litigation team, seamlessly integrating as lead counsel or contributing effectively within larger teams.

Served as primary U.S. counsel for one of the largest global consumer products services companies; notably, won summary judgment dismissing $74 million in claims for tortious interference, negligence and antitrust.

Resolved multi-million dollar claims against a California bank by a bankruptcy trustee for fraudulent conveyance and breach of contract and obtained a settlement at a fraction thereof.

Defending boards of directors, won summary judgment for the board of a bank mutual holding company on claims of breach of fiduciary duty brought by a leading shareholder activist and arising from corporate governance and restructuring issues. Also defended Sharper Image and its directors in a securities class action and received a voluntary dismissal from the class action plaintiffs.

As plaintiff counsel for global institutional investors obtained a mid-eight figure settlement against the auditor and the administrator for an offshore hedge fund that was falsifying its trading results

Represented a Swiss bank in a multi-million dollar lawsuit and obtained a favorable settlement in Fifth Circuit mediation on the eve of trial.

Managed a docket of over 23,000 personal injury cases in New York for DaimlerChrysler and served as lead trial counsel for the New York cases.

Lead trial counsel in New York for Bechtel for a docket of several hundred cases arising at powerhouse construction sites in the U.S., the Caribbean, and Saudi Arabia.

National property damage litigation defense counsel for a Quebec asbestos mine, directing legal strategy and managing local outside counsel in 15 states.

• Complex Commercial Civil Litigation

• Securities and Commodities Litigation and Counseling

• Internal Investigations

• Mergers and Acquisitions Counseling and Litigation

• D&O Counseling and Litigation

• Creditors’ Rights and Bankruptcy Litigation

Yale Law School, J.D., 1982

Harvard University, A.B. in Social Studies, 1979

• New York

• United States Supreme Court

• United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

• The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York

• The United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York

• The United States District Court for the Western District of New York

Balance Law Firm: Senior Counsel, 2023-2024

Potomac Law Group: Consulting Counsel, Litigation and Government Investigations Team, 2022-2023

Polonsky Law P.C.: Founder, 2020-2022

Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP: Partner, Complex Commercial Litigation, 2008-2016; Senior Counsel, Complex Commercial Litigation, 2017-2020

Thelen Reid Brown Raysman& Steiner LLP: Partner,Business Litigation, 1990-2008

LeBoeuf Lamb Leiby and MacRae:Associate, Business Litigation, 1986-1990

Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office: Senior Trial Attorney, Economic Crimes and Arson Bureau 1985-1986, investigated and prosecuted white collar crimes such as insurance fraud, extortion and embezzlement; Assistant District Attorney 1982-1984, investigated and prosecuted felony and misdemeanor cases in the U.S. Supreme Court and Criminal Court.

• Best Lawyers in America: Class Actions and Mass Torts Litigation, 2019, 2020, and 2021
• KTS Pro Bono Counsel of the Year, 2017
• 2019 Advocates for Human Rights Volunteer Award
• 2019 AILA Arthur C. Helton Memorial Human Rights Award