Jessica Donlon

Jessica advises companies, boards and executives navigating congressional investigations, government oversight, regulatory scrutiny and other high-profile matters at the intersection of law, policy and politics. Drawing on more than 15 years of senior experience in Congress and the executive branch, she helps clients understand and respond to complex inquiries from congressional committees and government stakeholders. A practical and tenacious problem solver, Jessica brings a steady hand to high-stakes matters, helping clients through complexity, anticipating challenges and charting a path forward even in the most demanding circumstances.

Before joining Cooley, Jessica served as general counsel to the US House Committee on Energy and Commerce under Chairman Brett Guthrie, where she advised committee leadership on strategic, legal and procedural issues, managed oversight and investigative priorities, and oversaw the committee’s compulsory process and parliamentary procedures. In that role, she was deeply involved in some of the most consequential legislative and oversight initiatives before the committee.

Jessica previously served as deputy staff director and general counsel for the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform under Chairman James Comer. Over the course of multiple congressional administrations, she helped lead investigations involving federal agencies, national security matters, public health programs and other issues of significant public interest. She advised committee leadership on investigative strategy, supervised staff work product, managed subpoena-related processes and played a central role in committee operations and oversight activities.

Through years of advising congressional leaders, executive branch officials and committee staff, Jessica developed extensive experience navigating sensitive investigations, managing stakeholder interests and addressing issues involving government accountability, oversight and compliance. She is known for approaching difficult problems with persistence, sound judgment and an ability to remain relentlessly focused under pressure. Having led investigations where the legal, political and reputational stakes were exceptionally high, Jessica’s judgment and experience provide clients with practical insight into congressional processes, investigative strategy and the institutional dynamics that shape interactions between Congress, federal agencies and the private sector.