Noel J. Francisco

Noel represents clients in a variety of complex litigation matters arising under federal and state law. For example, he represents R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company in a lawsuit brought by the Department of Justice against the tobacco industry under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and in litigation arising under the Master Settlement Agreement, the Free Enterprise Fund in a challenge to the constitutionality of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and Verizon Wireless in class action litigation under federal identity theft laws. He also has represented Verizon Directories Corp. in a First Amendment and federal preemption defense to a claim brought under Washington State's telemarketing laws, Chevron Corp. in an Alien Tort Statute claim brought by Nigerian citizens, Nextel Communications in various matters relating to its multibillion dollar merger with Sprint Corporation, and other Jones Day clients on matters arising under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and federal securities laws. In addition, Noel advises clients on regulatory and government relations matters, including Exon-Florio issues and congressional investigations. For example, he is currently advising individuals and companies in connection with several ongoing congressional investigations and advised the International Coal Group in connection with congressional hearings into the January 2, 2006 Sago Mine accident in Sago, West Virginia.

Noel is also a recognized authority on constitutional and national security law issues. He has testified before the House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, on Congress's authority to issue subpoenas for the testimony of senior White House officials. He also was invited to address the National Association of Attorneys General on national security law and the war on terrorism.

In addition, Noel provides commentary to the major media on a wide range of legal issues and has appeared on ABC's Nightline, CNN's Larry King Live and Paula Zahn Now, MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews, The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, and several National Public Radio programs and is frequently quoted in the national print media.

Noel currently serves on the District of Columbia's Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure. The commission reviews misconduct, evaluates reappointment, and conducts fitness and performance reviews of D.C. judges. Noel was appointed to this commission by President George W. Bush on May 23, 2007.

Prior to joining Jones Day, Noel served as associate counsel to President George W. Bush and as deputy assistant attorney general in the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel, where he advised the president, attorney general, and other executive branch officials on a wide range of legal issues arising under the U.S. Constitution and other federal, state, and international laws.