Jennifer Bonjean
{{Short description|American attorney (born c.1970)}}
{{Infobox person
| birth_name = Jennifer Ann Bonjean
| birth_date = {{Circa|{{Birth year and age|1970}}}}
| birth_place = Valparaiso, Indiana, US
| occupation = Attorney
| website = {{URL|bonjeanlaw.com}}
}}
Jennifer Ann Bonjean (English: Bon ʤiːn; born {{Circa|1970}}) is an American attorney of sexual assault cases.
Biography
Born {{Circa|1970}} in Valparaiso, Indiana, Bonjean was a classically trained opera singer, and worked at a rape crisis center in Chicago. She studied at DePaul University and Loyola University Chicago School of Law.{{Cite news |last1=Herstik |first1=Lauren |last2=Jacobs |first2=Julia |date=2022-09-19 |title=Defending R. Kelly and Bill Cosby, the Same Combative Lawyer |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/19/arts/music/jennifer-bonjean-r-kelly-bill-cosby.html |access-date=2024-07-10 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}
In 2021, she helped free Bill Cosby on his sexual assault charges.{{Cite news |last=Dave |first=Thomas |date=June 30, 2021 |title=Here's the lawyer who got Bill Cosby's conviction tossed |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/heres-lawyer-who-got-bill-cosbys-conviction-tossed-2021-06-30/ |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=Reuters}} Also in 2021, she was hired by Larry Hoover to attempt to appeal his sentence under the First Step Act. The request was denied by Harry Leinenweber.{{Cite web |last=A |first=Aron |date=2022-07-07 |title=Larry Hoover Renounces The Gangster Disciples In Rare Public Comment |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/419098-larry-hoover-renounces-the-gangster-disciples-in-rare-public-comment-news |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2021-07-06 |title=Federal judge denies sentencing break to Larry Hoover, 'one of the most notorious criminals in Illinois history' |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2021/7/6/21408777/gangster-disciples-larry-hoover-first-step-act-prison-term-reduced-chicago-gangs |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=Chicago Sun-Times |language=en}} Also in 2021, she represented Keith Raniere, the founder of NXIVM. He was sentenced to 120 years in prison.{{Cite news |last=Gavin |first=Robert |date=7 January 2021 |title=NXIVM leader Keith Raniere's new lawyer worked for Bill Cosby |url=https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/NXIVM-leader-Keith-Raniere-new-lawyer-15850542.php |access-date=2024-07-26 |work=Times Union}}
Bonjean was R. Kelly's lead lawyer during his 2022 sexual abuse trial. She described Kelly as a "victim of extortion and financial exploitation", and called one of his accusers a pathological liar.{{Cite news |last1=Jacobs |first1=Julia |last2=Chiarito |first2=Robert |date=2022-09-14 |title=R. Kelly Convicted in Sex Abuse Case Involving Videos of a Teenage Girl |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/14/arts/music/r-kelly-guilty-sex-abuse-video-girl.html |access-date=2024-07-10 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}
In 2023, Harvey Weinstein hired her to defend him in his sexual abuse case.{{Cite web |last=Wagmeister |first=Elizabeth |date=2023-05-01 |title=Harvey Weinstein Hires Bill Cosby's Lawyer to Appeal L.A. Conviction |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/harvey-weinstein-new-attorney-bill-cosby-jennifer-bonjean-1235578935/ |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}
Bonjean is known for her aggressive litigation strategy. She has a "NOT GUILTY" tattoo on her arm.{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Harriet |date=2024-07-10 |title=The lawyer with a 'not guilty' tattoo who's defending Harvey Weinstein |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/the-lawyer-with-a-not-guilty-tattoo-fighting-to-free-harvey-weinstein-hh7d9h555 |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=The Times |language=en}} She is a Conservative feminist, and often trash talks the jury and judge.{{Cite web |last=Janssen |first=Kim |date=2017-06-22 |title=Feminist lawyer and conservative judge take eye-rolling, trash talking to next level |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2017/06/22/feminist-lawyer-and-conservative-judge-take-eye-rolling-trash-talking-to-next-level/ |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|bonjeanlaw.com}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bonjean, Jennifer}}
Category:People from Valparaiso, Indiana
Category:21st-century American women lawyers