Jenner & Block adds Michael J. Vernick in Washington to expand higher-education compliance and grants work
Partner move strengthens Washington team focused on federal research funding and enforcement risk
Jenner & Block has added attorney Michael J. Vernick as a partner in its Washington, D.C., office, expanding the firm’s bench in higher-education compliance and government-facing investigations tied to federally funded research. The hire was announced Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Vernick’s practice centers on advising universities, research institutions, and academic medical centers on federal grant regulations and related enforcement exposure, including matters involving the False Claims Act. His work also extends to compliance issues that arise in scientific research funding, internationally sponsored projects, and disclosure requirements that can trigger audits, investigations, or payment disputes when institutions receive federal support.
Vernick joins Jenner & Block from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, where he led the firm’s government contracts group. Earlier in his career, he clerked for the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Jenner & Block said he earned his law degree from George Mason University School of Law and his undergraduate degree from Tufts University.
Why federal research funding compliance has become a litigation and investigations flashpoint
The partner addition comes as colleges, universities, and affiliated health systems continue to navigate an expanding compliance footprint tied to federal dollars. In practice, this work often spans overlapping regimes, including grant administration standards, procurement rules, export controls, cybersecurity requirements applicable to federal recipients, and oversight related to conflicts of interest and disclosure.
Jenner & Block described Vernick’s experience as including responses to government investigations and audits involving agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Defense. The firm also said he advises on issues connected to research security and international collaboration compliance.
Institutions receiving federal research funds can face scrutiny not only over how money is spent, but also over disclosures, foreign ties, and internal controls that underpin grant certifications.
How the hire fits Jenner & Block’s Washington platform
Jenner & Block’s Washington office is positioned around matters that intersect law, business, and policy, including government contracts, investigations, and regulatory disputes. The firm said Vernick’s arrival supports its education-focused work and complements capabilities used by clients managing high-stakes oversight and enforcement matters in the higher-education, defense, and life sciences sectors.
Role: Partner, Washington, D.C.
Focus areas: Federal grant compliance, higher-education regulatory matters, False Claims Act investigations, and related audits and oversight
Previous firm: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld
The move underscores continued competition among major law firms for experienced Washington-based partners who combine government contracts knowledge with investigations and compliance credentials—an increasingly sought-after blend as federally funded research and institutional oversight remain closely linked.