Jon Walther is an uniquely-experienced associate in Newmeyer Dillion’s Newport Beach office.

In the four years prior to joining ND, Jon served as a Judge Advocate (JA) in the United States Marine Corps.  The rigors of this in-the-legal-trenches experience allows Jon to aggressively fight for his clients now in the civil context.  He is an experienced trial attorney having served as defense counsel in numerous courts-martial and bench trials.

Prior to active duty, Jon worked as an associate at Shore Chan LLP (now The Shore Firm) in Texas, where he remains admitted, assisting with intellectual property litigation representing universities and other patent holders across the United States. This experience equipped him with robust knowledge of both federal and state level litigation strategies. Moreover, the patent law work further enhanced Jon's natural inclination for scientific and technically-oriented legal work.

While in law school at Southern Methodist University (SMU), Jon participated in, and then supervised, an indigent client legal clinic. Also, he studied Oil and Gas law which appeared on the Texas Bar Exam.  Ultimately, Jon earned both a Juris Doctor and  Master of Arts in Applied Economics from SMU in the same three-year span.  He graduated as Order of the Coif for placing in top ten percent of his class.

Jon's background is being amplified at ND in his litigation cases, contract projects, and specialized work for the firm's Government, Land Use, and Environmental ("GLUE") Group.  For example, he works on high-profile groundwater contamination litigation involving industrial solvents, state and federal laws, and state-of-the-art in situ remedial efforts.  Jon also assists in transactional matters that become "stuck" on environmental hurdles which the firm helps clients clear to get their deals closed.  Similarly, Jon assists in matters involving construction defect, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (“OSHA”), and complex state law litigation.

Awards & Recognition

Various military decorations, including:
  • Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
  • Global War on Terrorism Medal
  • National Defense Medal

Professional Affiliations

  • Orange County Bar Association

Admissions

  • California, 2023
  • Texas, 2019

Education

  • National Criminal Defense College's Trial Practice Institute (2021)
    • SMU Dedman School of Law (magna cum laude, J.D., 2019)
      • Order of the Coif (Top 10%)
      • Hatton W. Sumner Scholar
    • Southern Methodist University (M.A., 2018)
      • Applied Economics
    • Southern Methodist University (summa cum laude, B.S., 2015)
      • Economics with Financial Applications
      • Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society

      Beyond the Office

      Away from the office, Jon is an avid endurance athlete, competing in Ironman Triathlon, marathons, and other physical challenges.  Through thick and thin, he is also a proud supporter of the Dallas Cowboys, maintaining his Texas roots.