Jennifer C. Mika

Counsel | She/Her/Hers

Overview

Jen Mika is a seasoned litigator and regulatory counselor who advises health systems, managed care plans, and other institutional clients on innovative legal solutions. Drawing on more than a decade of experience in government practice, Jen offers clients deep knowledge of compliance with federal and local health care law and a winning track record litigating complex issues. Her distinguished career in government focused on protecting vulnerable populations and included senior roles at the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, District of Columbia Office of the Attorney General, and District of Columbia Department on Disability Services.

Most recently, Jen served as the Pretrial Mental Health Coordinator for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. In this role, she provided specialized guidance on prosecuting cases in which defendants raise mental health issues, such as competency to stand trial and insanity. Jen successfully first chaired eight contested competency trials involving complex issues related to the diagnosis of major mental illnesses and intellectual and developmental disabilities and the implications of these diagnoses on a defendant’s ability to understand criminal proceedings. In addition to her work in the courtroom, Jen was instrumental in improving coordination between District agencies and mental health providers and encouraged the use of diversion programs such as Mental Health Community Court.

Jen is also considered a leading authority on Elder Law in the District of Columbia. In addition to her years of experience litigating fiduciary and probate matters, she was the District of Columbia’s first prosecutor solely focused on investigating and prosecuting financial exploitation of elders and vulnerable adults. She successfully handled the first jury trial involving the charge of Financial Exploitation of an Elderly Person, and obtained convictions in cases involving bank employees, members of the clergy, and home health aides exploiting the elders and vulnerable adults. Jen regularly discusses financial exploitation issues on behalf of the government with the press and at events organized by the DOJ Elder Justice Initiative, D.C. Bar, and various D.C. agencies and non-profit organizations.

Jen has extensive experience finding legislative solutions for her clients. She has testified before the D.C. Council several times to provide valued insight on various successful legislative initiatives for which she was the principal drafter, including the Disability Services Reform Amendment Act of 2018 (Law 22-93), which ended involuntary civil commitment and established supported decision making for people with disabilities.

Career & Education

    • District of Columbia
      • Senior Assistant United States Attorney and Pretrial Mental Health Coordinator, 2021–2024
      • Assistant Attorney General and Special Assistant United States Attorney, Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, 2018–2021
      • Assistant General Counsel, District of Columbia Department on Disability Services, 2013–2018
    • District of Columbia
      • Senior Assistant United States Attorney and Pretrial Mental Health Coordinator, 2021–2024
      • Assistant Attorney General and Special Assistant United States Attorney, Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, 2018–2021
      • Assistant General Counsel, District of Columbia Department on Disability Services, 2013–2018
    • Adjunct Associate Professor, Elder Law and Legal Rhetoric, American University Washington College of Law, 2012–Present
    • Adjunct Associate Professor, Elder Law and Legal Rhetoric, American University Washington College of Law, 2012–Present
    • American University Washington College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2011
    • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A., with distinction, 2006

      International Studies Honor’s Thesis; Willie P. Mangum Medal in Oratory

    • American University Washington College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2011
    • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A., with distinction, 2006

      International Studies Honor’s Thesis; Willie P. Mangum Medal in Oratory

    • District of Columbia
    • New York
    • Supreme Court of the United States
    • District of Columbia
    • New York
    • Supreme Court of the United States
    • Judge Kenia Seoane López, Superior Court for the District of Columbia
    • Judge Aida Melendez, Superior Court for the District of Columbia
    • Judge Elizabeth Wingo, Superior Court for the District of Columbia
    • Judge Russell F. Canan, Superior Court for the District of Columbia
    • Judge Kenia Seoane López, Superior Court for the District of Columbia
    • Judge Aida Melendez, Superior Court for the District of Columbia
    • Judge Elizabeth Wingo, Superior Court for the District of Columbia
    • Judge Russell F. Canan, Superior Court for the District of Columbia
    • Women’s Bar Association, District of Columbia
    • Women’s Bar Association, District of Columbia

Jennifer's Insights

Client Alert | 3 min read | 05.16.25

Trump Administration Pauses Enforcement of the MHPAEA Final Rule

The Departments of Labor (“DOL”), Health and Human Services (“HHS”), and Treasury (the “Tri-Agencies”) have signaled that changes may be coming to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (“MHPAEA”) Final Rule issued on September 8, 2024. On May 9, 2025, the Tri-Agencies filed a Motion for Abeyance in a lawsuit brought by the ERISA Industry Committee (“ERIC”) challenging the 2024 final MHPAEA regulations in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.[1] The Motion, which was granted by the Court, indicated that the Tri-Agencies intend to “reconsider” the Final Rule, including “whether to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking rescinding or modifying the Final Rule.” Yesterday, on May 15, 2025, the Tri-Agencies issued a notice of non-enforcement stating that they “will not enforce the 2024 Final Rule or otherwise pursue enforcement actions, based on a failure to comply that occurs prior to a final decision in the litigation, plus an additional 18 months.”...

Representative Matters

  • Successfully investigated and prosecuted two bank employees charged with financially exploiting a 72-year-old military widow with diminished capacity.
  • Successfully investigated and prosecuted a pastor charged with financially exploiting multiple elderly women.
  • Successfully investigated and prosecuted nursing home employee and home health aid charged with Financial Exploitation of Elderly and Vulnerable Adults

Jennifer's Insights

Client Alert | 3 min read | 05.16.25

Trump Administration Pauses Enforcement of the MHPAEA Final Rule

The Departments of Labor (“DOL”), Health and Human Services (“HHS”), and Treasury (the “Tri-Agencies”) have signaled that changes may be coming to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (“MHPAEA”) Final Rule issued on September 8, 2024. On May 9, 2025, the Tri-Agencies filed a Motion for Abeyance in a lawsuit brought by the ERISA Industry Committee (“ERIC”) challenging the 2024 final MHPAEA regulations in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.[1] The Motion, which was granted by the Court, indicated that the Tri-Agencies intend to “reconsider” the Final Rule, including “whether to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking rescinding or modifying the Final Rule.” Yesterday, on May 15, 2025, the Tri-Agencies issued a notice of non-enforcement stating that they “will not enforce the 2024 Final Rule or otherwise pursue enforcement actions, based on a failure to comply that occurs prior to a final decision in the litigation, plus an additional 18 months.”...

Recognition

  • United States Attorney’s Award for Creativity and Innovation, 2023
  • Office of the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service for a Trial in an Affirmative Case, 2020
  • Executive Office of the United States Attorney’s Director’s Award for Superior Performance by a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, 2020

Jennifer's Insights

Client Alert | 3 min read | 05.16.25

Trump Administration Pauses Enforcement of the MHPAEA Final Rule

The Departments of Labor (“DOL”), Health and Human Services (“HHS”), and Treasury (the “Tri-Agencies”) have signaled that changes may be coming to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (“MHPAEA”) Final Rule issued on September 8, 2024. On May 9, 2025, the Tri-Agencies filed a Motion for Abeyance in a lawsuit brought by the ERISA Industry Committee (“ERIC”) challenging the 2024 final MHPAEA regulations in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.[1] The Motion, which was granted by the Court, indicated that the Tri-Agencies intend to “reconsider” the Final Rule, including “whether to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking rescinding or modifying the Final Rule.” Yesterday, on May 15, 2025, the Tri-Agencies issued a notice of non-enforcement stating that they “will not enforce the 2024 Final Rule or otherwise pursue enforcement actions, based on a failure to comply that occurs prior to a final decision in the litigation, plus an additional 18 months.”...

Jennifer's Insights

Client Alert | 3 min read | 05.16.25

Trump Administration Pauses Enforcement of the MHPAEA Final Rule

The Departments of Labor (“DOL”), Health and Human Services (“HHS”), and Treasury (the “Tri-Agencies”) have signaled that changes may be coming to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (“MHPAEA”) Final Rule issued on September 8, 2024. On May 9, 2025, the Tri-Agencies filed a Motion for Abeyance in a lawsuit brought by the ERISA Industry Committee (“ERIC”) challenging the 2024 final MHPAEA regulations in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.[1] The Motion, which was granted by the Court, indicated that the Tri-Agencies intend to “reconsider” the Final Rule, including “whether to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking rescinding or modifying the Final Rule.” Yesterday, on May 15, 2025, the Tri-Agencies issued a notice of non-enforcement stating that they “will not enforce the 2024 Final Rule or otherwise pursue enforcement actions, based on a failure to comply that occurs prior to a final decision in the litigation, plus an additional 18 months.”...