Jayme Jonat represents entities in high-stakes commercial litigations, often touching on securities- and antitrust-related issues. Equally comfortable representing plaintiffs and defendants, she has been involved in numerous large-scale litigation efforts that, in addition to their considerable monetary stakes, have tested new legal theories and affected business practices across entire industries.
Jayme plays a prominent role in the defense of Visa in antitrust actions brought by some of the largest retailers in the world—including Target, Macy’s, and many others—over payment card “swipe fees.” Jayme helped Visa reach a historic $6.26 billion settlement with one class of merchants, the largest known settlement of a private antitrust case under the 120-year-old Sherman Act.
Jayme spearheaded two first-of-their-kind discrimination lawsuits against Frontier Airlines, alleging that its policies toward pregnant and breastfeeding pilots and flight attendants violated the Civil Rights Act. In 2022, Frontier settled the lawsuit on behalf of flight attendants, agreeing to allow flight attendants to use breast pumps in flight and to identify lactation facilities at its base airport locations. In December 2023, Frontier settled the pilots’ lawsuit, marking a critical step toward gender equity in the airline industry.
Among other recent notable matters, Jayme has represented Sealed Air—the maker of bubble wrap—in a securities fraud class action in the SDNY that ultimately settled for $12.5 million, and the online video platform Rumble Inc. in obtaining dismissals of two putative class actions alleging Rumble violated the Video Privacy Protection Act by disclosing to Facebook the personal information of subscribers. Jayme has also assisted Judge Holwell in his role as an independent monitor appointed by a major financial institution under an agreement between the institution and the SEC.
Given the size of her clients and the scope of their business activities, many of Jayme’s matters have international components. In addition to advising on FCPA matters, Jayme has litigated multiple disputes arising from corporate transactions with cross-border implications. She represented, for instance, French industrial company Alstom in litigation against GE concerning the most significant French M&A transaction of 2014.
Jayme maintains a diverse pro bono practice, providing legal assistance to underserved communities across the country. For example, in partnership with the ACLU of Louisiana’s Justice Lab, Jayme filed a high-stakes pro bono lawsuit against police officers for using excessive force against a cooperating Black man with pre-existing injuries. A favorable settlement was reached last year in the federal civil rights case.
Beyond her client work, Jayme serves as the administrative partner of HSG and is an active member of the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee. She was named to the Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation in 2023 and 2024, and has been recognized as a Notable Woman in Law (Crain’s New York Business), Litigation Trailblazer (The National Law Journal), 40 & Under Hot List member (Benchmark Litigation), Rising Star – Best in Litigation shortlist honoree (Euromoney), and a Woman Worth Watching (Profiles in Diversity Journal). Prior to joining HSG, she was a litigation associate at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP and clerked for the Honorable Arthur D. Spatt of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
Key Practice Areas:
- Antitrust
- Banking + Financial Services
- Business & Commercial
- Securities
Year Joined Firm: 2015
Education:
- Fordham University School of Law (J.D.)
- Cornell University (B.S.)
Updated July 2024
