Donald F. McGahn

Hon. Donald F. McGahn, II

Partner, Jones Day

Don McGahn represents clients before government agencies, in enforcement matters, and in court disputes arising from government regulation or action. He handles litigation, crisis management, regulatory compliance, and political issues.

Prior to rejoining Jones Day in 2019, Don served as Counsel to the President of the United States, advising Donald J. Trump on all legal issues concerning the President and his administration, including constitutional and statutory authority, executive orders, international agreements, tariffs, trade, administrative law, and national security. Don also managed the judicial selection process for the President. During Don's tenure, a historic number of judges were appointed to the federal bench, including two Supreme Court justices. In addition, he spearheaded President Trump's deregulation efforts, which resulted in deregulation at record rates. Following Don's departure from the White House, the President appointed him to the Council of the Administrative Conference of the United States, a nonpartisan, independent agency dedicated to promoting improvement to administrative agency processes.

Don's accomplishments have been recognized at the highest levels of government. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell stated that Don concluded his tenure "not only as the best White House Counsel I've seen on the job, but more broadly, as one of the most successful and consequential aides to any President in recent memory."

Don was nominated by President George W. Bush in 2008, and confirmed in the Senate by unanimous consent, to serve as a member of the Federal Election Commission. He also served as outside Counsel to the Committee on House Administration during the 113th and 114th Congresses and as general counsel to the National Republican Congressional Committee.

*****

A person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society. In most cases, the biographical information on a person's "contributor" page is provided directly by the person, and the Federalist Society does not edit or otherwise endorse that information. The Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues. All expressions of opinion by a contributor are those of the contributor.

Click to play: Discussion and Q&A with Don McGahn

Discussion and Q&A with Don McGahn

2020 Annual Florida Chapters Conference

On January 31-February 1, 2020, The Federalist Society's Florida lawyers chapters hosted their annual Florida...

Discussion and Q&A with Don McGahn

2020 Annual Florida Chapters Conference

On January 31-February 1, 2020, The Federalist Society's Florida lawyers chapters hosted their annual Florida...

Click to play: Judicial Nominations in the Trump Administration: A Conversation with Senate Majority Leader McConnell and Former White House Counsel Don McGahn

Judicial Nominations in the Trump Administration: A Conversation with Senate Majority Leader McConnell and Former White House Counsel Don McGahn

2019 Kentucky Chapters Conference

On October 7, 2019, The Federalist Society hosted a conversation between Senate Majority Leader Mitch...