Jesse Franklin Murdock

Jesse Franklin-Murdock

Counsel

Superlawyers Rising Stars: 2023 – 2025

Jesse Franklin-Murdock joined Dhillon Law Group in 2021 as an associate and was promoted to counsel in 2024. Jesse represents plaintiffs and defendants in courts and arbitral forums across the country. Jesse’s devotion to the craft of legal writing, trial experience, and commitment to developing a deep understanding of the facts and issues in each case allows him to represent clients successfully in a number of fields, including political law, defamation, First Amendment and civil rights, employment, white collar criminal defense, and business litigation.

In addition to his litigation practice, Jesse is an active participant in the political world. Jesse served as a delegate to the 2024 Republican National Convention where he also served as a campaign lawyer. In the weeks leading up to and culminating in the 2024 election, Jesse focused on election integrity and election day operations in Arizona, helping manage litigation and oversee observers and volunteer lawyers. Following the election, Jesse assisted with the Republican Party’s ballot adjudication and recount observation efforts in Pennsylvania’s hotly contested Senate race. Jesse has been a delegate to the California Republican Party since 2023, regularly advises state and county Republican committees, and is the California Young Republicans’ General Counsel.

Jesse’s litigation skills and keen awareness of politics give him the tools to advise and represent clients facing high-profile, sensitive disputes that require an understanding of strategy and public relations.

Contact Information

  • Law Clerk to United States District Judge Jill A. Otake, United States District Court for the District of Hawaii (2020–2021)
  • Owner, Jesse D. Franklin-Murdock, LLLC (Honolulu, Hawaii, 2020)
  • Associate Attorney, Kobayashi Sugita & Goda, LLP (Honolulu, Hawaii, 2017–2020)
  • Extern to Chief United States District Judge J. Michael Seabright, United States District Court for the District of Hawaii (2016)
  • Summer Associate, Kobayashi Sugita & Goda, LLP (Honolulu, Hawaii, 2016)
  • Extern to now-Senior United States Circuit Judge Richard R. Clifton, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (2015–2016)
  • J.D., summa cum laude, William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii at Manoa
  • Outside Articles Editor, University of Hawaii Law Review
  • CALI Excellence for the Future Awards (highest grade in class):
    • Business Associations
    • Legal Practice I (legal writing)
    • Real Property I
    • Real Property II
    • State and Local Government and Finance
  • Academic Success Teaching Assistant (Real Property I, Professor David L. Callies)
  • Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher Scholarship
  • McCorriston Miller Mukai MacKinnon Scholarship
  • Vindman v. Trump, et al. (D.D.C. 2022) (helped secure complete dismissal of civil rights claims brought by Alexander Vindman related to the 2020 presidential impeachment trial)
  • Greenburg v. Wray, et al. (Ariz. Super. Ct. 2023) (successful anti-SLAPP motion following full day evidentiary hearing resulting in complete dismissal, leading to favorable settlement involving a payment to the defendant-clients)
  • In re California Attorney (helped secure victory based on First Amendment defense in State Bar disciplinary trial)
  • Wray, et al. v. Greenburg, et al. (D. Ariz. 2022) (helped defeat father of school board president’s motion to dismiss First Amendment retaliation and defamation claims brought on behalf of parents, later leading to $200,000 settlement)
  • Employee v. Technology Company (JAMS Arbitration 2024) (obtained complete arbitration award in favor of client in contractual dispute following cross-motions for summary judgment)
  • Siegemund v. Le Lycée Francais de Los Angeles (Cal. Super. Ct. 2023) (successful anti-SLAPP motion after school filed cross-complaint against teacher suing for political discrimination followed by award of attorneys’ fees)
  • Principal v. Teacher (Cal. Super. Ct. 2024) (successful anti-SLAPP motion dismissing the entirety of a principal’s case against a teacher followed by award of attorneys’ fees)
  • Consultant v. Financial Services Company (Cal. Super Ct. 2024) (favorable judgment following bench trial in favor of consultant who sued a financial services company after the company failed to pay for services rendered)
  • Begley v. County of Kauai, et al. (D. Haw. 2019) (helped obtain judgment on the pleadings and summary judgment on all claims asserted against assistant chief of police in employment discrimination case)
  • Obtained corrections from major newspapers on behalf of public figures
  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • Supreme Court of California
  • Supreme Court of Hawaii
  • Federal District Courts:
    • Central District of California
    • Eastern District of California
    • Northern District of California
    • Southern District of California
    • District of Columbia
    • District of Hawaii
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
  • Pro Hac Vice Admissions:
    • District of Arizona
    • Arizona Superior Court, Maricopa County
    • Middle District of Florida
    • Southern District of Florida
    • District of New Jersey
    • New Jersey Superior Court, Bergen County
    • Southern District of New York
    • Delaware Superior Court
    • Idaho District Court, County of Kootenai
    • Nebraska District Court, Douglas County
    • District of Nebraska
Judge Chutkan Giving Jack Smith One Last Chance To Damage Trump Before ElectionDaily Caller2024
How RNC and DNC delegates reflect American political dividesPBS2024
Major Victory for Parents Against Woke SchoolsThe Breanna Morello Show2024
Mark Greenburg’s defamation case against Amanda Wray to cost him $50,000Your Valley2024
Judge’s decision adds a new wrinkle to Chino Valley’s gender notification policy
CBS News2023
Scotus is hearing cases on politicians blocking their constituents
Rumble2023
Bourne Reacts to Dropping Restraining Order against Her by DJUSD
The Davis Vanguard2023
Trial Date Set In Lake’s Public Records Claim Against Richer And Maricopa CountyArizona Daily Independent2023
Hawaiians Let Joe Biden Have It in Brilliant Response to His Take on Maui FireRed State2023
California Bar Disciplinary Judge Declines to Discipline Attorney Who Tweeted About Shooting Looters, Ruled it Was Free SpeechThe Arizona Sun Times2023
Reporter Simon Ateba Sues The White House For Violating His First Amendment RightsOne America News2023
Scottsdale Mother Wins Anti-SLAPP Motion Against Father Of Former School Board MemberArizona Daily Independent2023
JESSE FRANKLIN-MURDOCK: Can Anything Be Just For Women Anymore?Daily Caller2023
Hawaiian business goes viral for sign slamming Biden’s kitchen fire comments: ‘not always about you’Fox News2023
Law group alleges Stanford fired doctor for criticizing COVID policies: ‘Engaged in employment discriminationFox News2023
Stanford Scientist Who Dissented From COVID Lockdowns Files Wrongful Termination Lawsuit Against University HospitalDaily Caller2023
Conservatives Can End Coercive Vaccine Mandates For Good. Here’s HowDaily Caller2022
  • Delegate, 2024 Republican National Convention
  • Delegate, California Republican Party
  • Member, Federalist Society
  • Member, Lincoln Club of Northern California
  • General Counsel, California Young Republicans

★★★★★
I would like to express sincere and heartfelt gratitude for the work of Jesse Franklin-Murdock and the Center for American Liberty’s extraordinary support in my case. From the outset, when I had that initial call with Eric Sell, and with Josh Dixon – they immediately pulled in strong resources and subsequently Mr. Franklin-Murdock. All these actions and the associated conversations demonstrated dedication, professionalism, superior competency, knowledge, and application of relevant case law by everyone who touched my case but most of all you, Jesse, so thank you! You yourself Jesse, went well above expectation by fielding calls and executing on some key action items, even while on international vacation.

Jesse, to you and the entire Center for American Liberty and the entire Dhillon Law Group – THANK YOU for defending my rights with vigor, professionalism, superior application of law, a successful outcome, and for the intangibles like diligence, listening, empathy and that unique feeling that I, as a client, actually matter. Ten thousand kudos to you!

– Christopher Bout

Jesse Franklin-Murdock - Dhillon Law Group Associate
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