Jon, a multifaceted individual, has transitioned from a career in civil rights law to filmmaking, leaving a lasting impact in both fields.
Born and raised in the quaint hollow of Booger Hole, Alum Creek, West Virginia, Jon's upbringing instilled in him a strong sense of justice, which would later influence his work as a civil rights lawyer.
Prior to his foray into filmmaking, Jon spent seven years practicing civil rights law, culminating in his role as legal director for the ACLU of Connecticut. However, at the age of 31, he made the bold decision to abandon the legal profession and enroll in NYU's prestigious graduate film program.
Under the guidance of esteemed instructors such as James Franco, Todd Solondz, Ira Sachs, and Spike Lee, Jon honed his filmmaking skills, eventually working as Spike Lee's teaching assistant during his third year at NYU.
In the spring of 2012, Jon co-directed a film alongside James Franco and ten NYU classmates, with James Franco serving as producer and Whoopi Goldberg, James Franco, Olivia Wilde, and Logan Marshall-Green starring in the film.
In January 2013, Jon received a grant from Spike Lee to complete his first feature documentary, "Surviving Cliffside," which premiered at SXSW 2014 and was later broadcast on the Sundance Channel.
