Jon is an experienced commercial litigator with a broad-based practice representing clients in high-stakes disputes. Jon has significant experience in complex commercial litigation, particularly related to significant corporate transactions and class actions.
Jon has extensive first-chair courtroom and arbitration experience. He regularly represents large, multi-national corporate clients as well as small businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals in all matters of disputes. Jon also has extensive experience in consumer class actions. He regularly represents clients in high-stakes class actions, and he has litigated such cases in courts across the country and in connection with many of the cutting-edge issues facing class action defendants over the last dozen years.
Jon has experience in other types of complex commercial litigation. Examples include, proxy-related disputes, professional liability litigation, real estate disputes and high-stakes breach-of-contract matters.
Jon is a frequent author and speaker on a variety of topics, including developing issues in class actions. He has been recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers in Georgia and by Law360 nationally.
Bar Admissions
Georgia (all state trial and appellate courts)
Various federal courts, including appellate courts
Credentials
J.D., Vanderbilt University
B.B.A., University of North Florida, magna cum laude
Representative Experience
Lead counsel representing a global leader in payment processing in dispute related to 2012 corporate acquisition.
Lead counsel representing the leading integrated power company in dispute related to 2013 corporate acquisition.
Represented a leading private equity firm in dispute related to 2011 corporate acquisition, favorable judgment achieved in 2016 following bench trial in Delaware Court of Chancery.
Represented a private equity fund and other sellers in post-recapitalization indemnification dispute in Delaware Court of Chancery, in which private equity fund purchaser sought $175M in damages.
Represented a global leader in payment processing in shareholder class action related to 2013 acquisition of public company, motion for preliminary injunction denied by Delaware Court of Chancery.
Represented a leading provider of reloadable prepaid cards and related financial services in appraisal litigation related to 2013 acquisition, matter settled on favorable terms after exchange of expert reports.
Represented a major food retailer in eight separate matters challenging proposed merger with strategic buyer, motion for preliminary injunction withdrawn on eve of hearing.
Represented a leading manufacturer of paperboard, containerboard, consumer and corrugated packaging and merchandising displays in litigation challenging $3.5B acquisition, motion for preliminary injunction denied by Delaware Court of Chancery.
Lead counsel representing minority shareholder in dispute with company Board related to alleged breach of fiduciary duty, obtained preliminary injunction enjoining shareholder vote on director election.
Lead counsel representing a multichannel marketer in dispute with potential transaction party related to alleged breach of nondisclosure agreement.
Lead counsel representing an operator of refined products pipeline in regulatory-related disputes associated with permitting required for $1B energy project.
Represented a national law firm in malpractice action.
Represented an operator of natural gas pipeline in disputes related to acquisition of property and pipelines in Georgia, recent results include litigation and negotiation with owners of over eighty parcels to procure necessary property interests and allow for timely completion of $500M pipeline construction project.
Represented the largest manufacturer, distributor and marketer of non-alcoholic beverage concentrates in breach-of-contract dispute with affiliate companies.
Lead counsel representing the leading privately-held home security provider in multiple putative class actions associated with customer relationships.
Representing a world-leading integrated energy company in putative class action asserting claims related to alleged underpayment of oil and gas royalties.
Represented a pharmaceutical company in putative class action related to alleged telephone call recording.
Representing the leading integrated pharmacy services provider in securities-related litigation.
Represented the leading home improvement specialty retailer in consumer class actions across the country, recent results include four cases dismissed at pleadings stage, three cases dismissed on summary judgment and two cases in which class certification was denied.
Represented leading entertainment companies in putative class action challenging defendants’ alleged improper advertising and promotion techniques, case dismissed at pleadings stage following certification of issues to Supreme Court of Georgia.
Represented the largest provider of payday cash advance services in seven consumer class actions challenging business practices in South Carolina, cases resolved by class-wide settlement.
Represented the leading discount retailer in five civil matters brought by Alabama district attorneys, cases dismissed by trial court and affirmed on appeal to Supreme Court of Alabama.
Represented a pharmaceutical company in six consumer class actions across the county, lead associate assisting in nationwide settlement of matter in federal court.
Professional & Community Activities
General Counsel, Atlanta Track Club
Board Member, Georgia Resource Center
Writings, Speeches & Presentations
Regularly speaks and writes on topics related to developing issues in class actions