Areas of Practice
Industries
Bar Admissions
- Texas
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
Education
University of Texas School of Law, J.D., 2000
- Articles Editor, Texas Law Review
The Louisiana Scholars' College at Northwestern State University, B.A., With Highest Distinction, 1997
Catholic University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. One semester study abroad, 1996
Jason M. Ross is a member of the Litigation Group in Dykema's Dallas office. Mr. Ross focuses his practice on complex litigation, with an emphasis on white collar criminal defense and securities law. Mr. Ross guides his clients throughout various stages of government action, including whistleblower complaints, initial government investigations, negotiations for immunity, grand jury proceedings, indictments and trials. He counsels clients in proceedings brought by agencies such as the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Labor and the Federal Trade Commission. His expertise spans many industries, including health care, telecommunications, software, electronics, banking, insurance, network marketing and commercial aviation.
Mr. Ross's experience includes representing targets of government action, as well as witnesses, and assisting large, publicly traded corporations, as well as private companies and individuals. Many of the matters involving government agencies also involve separate civil proceedings litigated by private parties. He has also handled various types of litigation including civil lawsuits in both state and federal courts.
Experience
Federal Criminal Defense
Trial lawyer in defense of a former Executive Vice President charged with conspiracy, insider trading, securities fraud, wire fraud and money laundering. The Houston trial, lasting 14 weeks, resulted in acquittals and hung counts with no guilty verdicts. Extensive participation in pretrial, trial and appeals. Relevant experience included direct and cross examination of key witnesses; nationwide witness interviews; primary responsibility for key defense witnesses, including executive-level software engineers, network engineers and expert economist; oral argument on numerous motions; authorship of numerous motions and briefs; and appellate briefing, including substantive role in drafting amicus brief filed in the United States Supreme Court in co-defendant's successful challenge to retrial (Yeager v. United States, 557 U.S. 110 (2009)). Key decision making and supervisory role in coordination of evidence review efforts involving 80 million pages of electronic and paper documents and a multi-shift team of review attorneys. After appellate litigation at Fifth Circuit and Supreme Court, and on the eve of a second trial, a favorable plea agreement was reached that resulted in no incarceration.
Trial lawyer in defense of an executive charged with conspiracy, securities fraud and tax fraud. Participation included direct and cross examination of fact witnesses; cross examination of expert witness; authorship and oral advocacy on various motions, including requested jury instructions and motion to exclude expert witness; authorship of sentencing memorandum; and successful oral advocacy for a sentence significantly lower than that requested by the United States Attorney's Office.
Health Care
Defense of health insurance company in litigation brought by addiction treatment centers related to disputes over payment of claims. Authored and participated in oral argument of Motion to Dismiss resulting in complete dismissal of all claims.
Trial lawyer in defense of home health care company owner charged with health care fraud and conspiracy. Participation included opening statement, direct and cross examination of fact witnesses, expert witnesses and FBI agents; authorship and advocacy of motions and jury instructions.
Securities Litigation
Lead counsel to the Court-appointed Receiver in SEC action against an investment company and its principals charged with operating a Ponzi scheme. Advised and represented the Receiver in recovering, liquidating and distributing assets to investors. Informed the Court, through motions and hearings, on progress of asset recovery and distribution. Engaged with SEC staff, defendants' counsel and investors to locate assets of value and propose an equitable plan of distribution.
Primary lawyer in defense of a former energy company executive charged with securities fraud. Participated in investigative testimony and advocacy with SEC staff in defense of the client before a favorable settlement was reached. Defended the client in parallel civil litigation brought on behalf of investors and creditors.
Lead counsel in defense of a former officer and board member of a publicly traded company in a fraud investigation by the SEC. Participated in investigative testimony and advocacy on behalf of the client before the SEC staff. After a thorough formal investigation, the SEC declined to bring charges against the client.
Attorney in defense of a former Vice President and Associate General Counsel charged with securities fraud and aiding and abetting the chairman in concealing insider stock sales. Primary author and oral advocate of major motions. Coordinated fact investigation, discovery and witness interviews before favorable settlement was reached.
Attorney defending clients in federal securities fraud lawsuit brought by investors, alleging that clients participated in a Ponzi scheme. Primary author on successful motion to dismiss, resulting in early dismissal with prejudice of virtually all conspiracy and fraud-based causes of action, and allowing clients to settle remaining claims for minimal expense.
Business Litigation
First-chair trial lawyer in defense of an energy supplement company in a two-week-long temporary injunction hearing. The Plaintiff, a competing company, alleged theft of trade secrets and tortious interference with contracts, and sought a cessation of the client's business in its valuable Asian and European sales markets. Managed four-lawyer trial team while engaged in extensive fast-track international discovery, expedited motions practice and lengthy evidentiary hearing to successfully prevent Plaintiffs from obtaining relief that would interrupt the client's worldwide operations.
Defense of manufacturing company in civil False Claims Act litigation. Author of Motion to Dismiss resulting in full dismissal of all causes of action.
Primary lawyer representing Hall of Fame basketball player in an administrative action against a major university, in which the client alleged that the university breached its contract after receiving client's marketing and public relations services. Authored Complaint, advised client on available administrative remedies, and engaged in depositions and written discovery. Favorable settlement reached before trial.
Seminars & Speeches
- “Forest Park – The Inside Scoop,” Federal White Collar SeminarOctober 11, 2019
- October 10, 2019
- “Anti-Kickback Implications in the Post-Forest Park Era,” State Bar of Texas 32nd Annual Texas Health Law ConferenceOctober 8, 2019
- September 25, 2019
- March 27, 2018
- Compliance and Internal Investigations, Texas Lawyer In-House Counsel Summit, Austin TexasAugust 2012
- Money Laundering: What Every Lawyer Needs to Know, Dallas Bar Association CLE, and Collin County Bar AssociationMarch 2012 and July 2012 respectively
Publications
- January 2017Law Journal Newsletters/Business Crimes Bulletinhttp://www.lawjournalnewsletters.com/sites/lawjournalnewsletters/2017/01/01/the-continuing-evolution-of-the-false-claims-act/?slreturn=20170018153506
- "What to Do When the Government Knocks on Your Door?"November 2016Corporate Counsel Review, Volume XXXV, Number 2
- "D.C. Circuit again protects attorney-client privilege over internal investigation materials"August 24, 2015Lexology
- "Environmental Enforcement: The Government Strikes Back"April 2010Dallas Bar Association Headnotes
News
- February 20, 2019
- April 10, 2017
- Recognition Conferred Upon Ashmore, Hoard, Nowak and Ross – All Resident in Firm's Dallas OfficeMarch 17, 2014
- Dykema Attorney Observes That Case Hinges on Whether Jury Believes DefendantOctober 15, 2013
- Four Other Dykema Lawyers Identified as Rising StarsSeptember 26, 2013
Alerts
- December 4, 2019
- November 14, 2019
- December 19, 2018
- October 26, 2018
- September 5, 2018
- June 22, 2018
- June 1, 2018
- February 23, 2018
- February 2, 2018
- December 15, 2017
- October 20, 2017
- August 21, 2017
- February 23, 2017
- December 27, 2016
- October 31, 2016
- April 18, 2016
- March 30, 2016
- November 17, 2015
- September 22, 2015
- August 24, 2015
- June 3, 2015
- May 1, 2015
- April 2, 2015
- February 13, 2015
- January 23, 2015
- December 12, 2014
- October 8, 2014
- September 24, 2014
- August 19, 2014
- July 11, 2014
- July 1, 2014
- June 30, 2014
- May 7, 2014
Press Releases
- January 8, 2019
- April 6, 2015
- September 5, 2014
- July 15, 2014
- Two Attorneys Add to Firm’s Growing Commercial Litigation Practice; Experienced in White Collar Defense, Securities Law and Government Contract WorkJune 7, 2013
Memberships & Involvement
State Bar of Texas
American Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section & White Collar Crime Committee
Federal Bar Association, Dallas Chapter, Executive Committee Member and Co-Founder, White Collar Crime Committee Member
Dallas Young Lawyers Division, American Bar Association White Collar Crime Committee, Co-Chair and Co-Founder
Dallas Bar Association
Dallas Association of Young Lawyers
Community/Civic Activities
- Dallas CASA Volunteer Advocate, 2011-Present
- Christian Childhood Development Center, Board Member, May 2012-Present
Awards & Recognition
Recognized in Texas Super Lawyers as a Rising Star for Criminal Defense: White Collar, Securities Litigation and Civil Litigation Defense, 2010-2015