Jan 2025–Present
Current role
Partner
Fenwick & West LLP
Washington, District of Columbia
AttorneyCivil LitigationAttorney AdvisorWhite Collar Crime
About
Jonathan Lenzner is a nationally recognized leader in high-stakes crisis management, white collar investigations, and national security law and policy. Jon’s leadership roles at the highest levels of government and business have equipped him with unparalleled skills in helping boards, executives, and leadership teams go on the offensive in managing risk and resolving sophisticated, multi-faceted crises, all while staying focused on their core missions. Renowned for his integrity, grit, and ability to navigate complex challenges, Jon is a trusted partner in critical situations.
As Chief of Staff to the FBI Director for three years, Jon played an integral role in some of the most high-profile and consequential matters including working with the intelligence community on national security and cyber issues, special counsel investigations, and legislative oversight. He also partnered with U.S. companies developing emerging technologies, giving him unique insight into the opportunities and challenges these businesses encounter. The New York Times recognized Jon’s work to help the Bureau navigate many crucial moments, and noted that the FBI Director praised Jon for “turning the tides and helping [the FBI] go on the offensive.”
Jon served as the acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland, First Assistant U.S. Attorney and, earlier in his career, as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. He began his prosecutorial career as an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan. In more than 14 years as a prosecutor, Jon led major investigations into financial fraud, healthcare fraud, public corruption, and many other complex matters, and tried more than 25 cases to verdict. This extensive legal background enables Jon to offer clients clear, practical guidance in navigating enforcement actions and regulatory risks.
In addition to his public service, Jon was CEO of a leading corporate investigations and risk advisory firm. His experience leading a business gave him invaluable insight into the pressures boards of directors and CEOs face every day. From managing corporate risk to navigating operational challenges and safeguarding reputations, Jon understands the complexities of leadership and offers actionable counsel that empowers clients to meet their most critical challenges head-on.
Jon also brings decades of experience managing relationships with Congress, counseling clients through investigations, and preparing leaders for congressional testimony. His unique ability to anticipate challenges, manage crises, and deliver results makes him an invaluable resource for companies operating in today’s complex business environment.
Roles
Jan 2022–Jan 2025
Former role
Chief Of Staff
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
(appointed)District of Columbia
Program and Project ManagementChief of StaffManagementLegal
Oct 2021–Jan 2022
Former role
Senior Advisor to the Administrator
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
(appointed)Virginia
Attorney AdvisorProjects, Programs and Advisors
Feb 2021–Oct 2021
Former role
Acting United States Attorney
U.S. Attorney’s Office
(appointed)Maryland, District of
AttorneyCivil LitigationLegal AssistanceLegalCriminal Law
Aug 2018–Oct 2021
Former role
First Assistant United States Attorney
U.S. Attorney’s Office
(appointed)Maryland, District of
AttorneyCivil LitigationLegal AssistantCriminal Investigation
Mar 2013–Aug 2018
Former role
CEO
IGI / The Lenzner Firm
Washington DC-Baltimore Area, District of Columbia
AttorneyAttorney AdvisorLegal
Sep 2010–Mar 2013
Former role
Assistant United States Attorney
U.S. Attorney’s Office
(appointed)Maryland, District of
AttorneyLegal AssistantLegal Officers and Practitioners
Sep 2004–Aug 2010
Former role
Assistant District Attorney
Manhattan District Attorney
(appointed)New York
AttorneyResearchLegal Assistant
Jan 2000–Nov 2001
Former role
Communications Director - No on Proposition 38 Campaign
Kaufman Campaign Consultant
California
ConsultingCommunications
Jul 1999–Mar 2000
Former role
Director, Press Advance
Bill Bradley for President
Elections & PoliticsDirector of Operations
Feb 1997–Nov 1999
Former role
Press Secretary
U.S. House of Representatives, Sam Gejdenson (D-CT-2)
(appointed)District of Columbia
SecretaryGovernment
Publications & speeches
DOJ and BIS Flex Enforcement Priorities as U.S. Semiconductor Design Company Agrees to Guilty Plea and $140M Fine
Fenwick Insights
August 2025
On July 28, 2025, the National Security Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), announced parallel criminal and civil-administrative export control enforcement resolutions with Cadence Design Systems, Inc. based on dozens of transactions in China that violated the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR). In total, Cadence will pay net fines of $140.6 million to both agencies. In the DOJ resolution, Cadence also agreed to plead guilty to the criminal offense of conspiracy to commit export control violations. Both the DOJ and BIS resolutions center on intentional misconduct by a few employees of Cadence’s indirectly owned Chinese subsidiary, Cadence Design Systems Management (Cadence China). The resolutions state that those employees willfully and knowingly transferred Electronic Design Automation (EDA) hardware and software and semiconductor design technology to parties in China on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Entity List.
DOJ Unpauses FCPA Enforcement with New Limits
Fenwick Insights
June 2025
On February 10, 2025, the president signed an executive order that paused investigation and enforcement of the FCPA for a period of 180 days, required the DOJ to review any existing FCPA investigation or prosecution, and to issue new guidelines and policies as appropriate to adequately promote the president’s constitutional foreign policy authority and “prioritize American interests, American economic competitiveness with respect to other nations, and the efficient use of Federal law enforcement resources.”
NY Tech Week 2025: Building Smarter Cyber Strategies with Government, Founders, and Investors
Fenwick Insights
June 2025
At New York Tech Week 2025, cybersecurity took the spotlight. Fenwick partner Jon Lenzner sat down with Bryan Vorndran—former assistant director of the FBI’s Cyber Division—to unpack what early-stage companies, investors, and even regulators need to know about the rapidly evolving cyber landscape. From AI-generated deepfakes to third-party vulnerabilities, here’s what stood out.
DOJ Announces Key Revisions to Corporate Enforcement and Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy
Fenwick Insights
May 2025
On May 12, 2025, the Head of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Criminal Division, Matthew Galeotti, announced a new white collar enforcement plan in a memorandum entitled “Focus, Fairness, and Efficiency in the Fight Against White-Collar Crime.” The new memorandum and accompanying public remarks by Galeotti unveiled key changes to the division’s Corporate Enforcement and Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy (CEP) that provide greater incentives for corporations to investigate and voluntarily self-disclose conduct by employees that violates federal criminal laws and cooperate with DOJ investigations. This alert summarizes these changes to the CEP and assesses how they may impact the calculus for companies that are considering voluntary self-disclosure.
Jonathan Lenzner Talks with Bloomberg Intelligence About Pivot from FBI to Fenwick
Bloomberg Intelligence
February 2025
When you want to understand the unique risks that innovative companies face, just ask former FBI leadership. Fenwick partner Jonathan Lenzner joined Bloomberg Intelligence’s Votes & Verdicts podcast to discuss how his time as chief of staff to the FBI director endeared him to tech, and how he applies his experience at the FBI and as a former prosecutor to help innovators anticipate and manage complex emerging legal issues.
Defend Your Company, Defend Yourself: Private Litigation and Government Investigations
30th Annual Stanford’s Directors’ College
June 2025
Panelist
Counterintelligence Panel
Deep Tech Week
June 2025
Panelist
Scaling Cyber: How Founders, Investors, and the Government Can Build Together
NY Tech Week — New York
June 2025
Fireside Chat
Navigating the Crypto Sphere: Enforcement, Digital Vulnerabilities, and Preparing for Policy Changes
Crypto Capitol Conference
April 2025
Panel Moderator
From Risk to Resilience: Building a Crisis-Ready Organization
TechGC L Suite Public Company GC Offsite
March 2025
Fireside Chat