Jason L. Haas

Jason Haas is a Partner in the Litigation Department.

Jason has spent over twenty years litigating a wide variety of complex business disputes for his clients in federal and state courts and in private arbitration. Jason focuses his practice on domestic and international litigation at the intersection of law, business and technology, including:

• disputes among equity-holders and/or management,
• class actions,
• intellectual property, and
• technology transactions.

Artificial intelligence is a special interest, and Jason recently became one of the first litigators in the United States to obtain a certification from the IAPP in AI Governance. Jason has also published one of the first analyses of California’s new 2024 law on the disclosure of training data use in generative AI models.

Jason has significant experience in litigating:

Types of Disputes

• Owner/Management disputes in Partnerships, LLCs & Close Corporations
• Consumer Class Actions
• IT services agreements
• Intellectual Property Litigation
• Licensing agreements
• Acquisition deals

Industries

• Technology
• Finance
• Real Estate
• Legal
• Entertainment
• Government
• Automotive

Jason brings a pragmatic approach to resolving each dispute. Investing time early in a case to understand the facts and craft an effective strategy is a key part of his approach. Jason also carefully selects which issues to fight, and when, in order to maximize the impact of his client’s investment and avoid wasting resources on unnecessary legal battles that do not advantage his clients.

Jason is a member of the Board of Directors for the International Technology Law Association (iTechLaw) and previously served as chair of its Dispute Resolution Committee and as a co-chair for the May 2023 iTechLaw World Technology Law Conference in Toronto, Canada. Jason is also a member of the new Sedona Conference working group on AI and the Law, the American Bar Association’s SciTech and Litigation Sections, and the IAPP.

Jason served for over 16 years on the Board of Trustees for Ocean Charter School in a variety of capacities, including Vice-Chairman of the Board and Chair of the Governance Committee. He played a major role in the school’s construction of a new K-8 facility for over 500 children in the Del Rey neighborhood of Los Angeles.

In his spare time, Jason is a (non-performing) member of the Academy of Magic Arts.

Ownership/Management Disputes in Partnerships, LLCs and Close Corporations

Represent owner and founder of large business with numerous subsidiaries against claims by limited partner in some entities to a share of other entities as well as defended numerous claims of wrongdoing. Action settled on first day of arbitration. 

Represented founder and CEO of social media and other online marketing company in dispute with minority shareholder and officer who alleged rights to increased equity stake based on alleged oral agreements. After multiple rounds of pleadings, demonstrated plaintiff’s case was a sham, case resolved early in litigation for minimal cost.

Represented founder and Chairman of real estate financing companies in buy-out of his interests by other investors. Dispute resolved without litigation.

Represent sibling shareholders in dispute with relatives over family-owned company. Extensive litigation included nine separate lawsuits, probate proceedings, arbitration and an appeal.

Represented large restaurant companies against former executives and shareholders seeking to reclaim equity stakes after terminations for cause. Extensive motion and discovery practice before trial court and discovery referee.

Class/Representative Actions

Represented former president of large entertainment company in shareholder derivative claims for breach of fiduciary duty for receiving a $100+ million severance package. Executive obtained a complete victory in a multi- week bench trial in Delaware Chancery Court, and ruling affirmed by Delaware Supreme Court.

Represented approximately 1,700 investors in a “mass action” seeking to recover up to $200,000,000 in losses suffered from a Ponzi-scheme involving a medical receivables corporation.

Represented credit reporting agency in class action involving alleged violations of Fair Credit Reporting Act on behalf of class of over ten million members. Aided development of settlement adopting new procedures for reporting classmembers debts.

Represented large property development and management companies in tenant class actions involving security deposits and late fees. Actions settled.

Represented small auction company in class action litigation relating to on-line auction software. Obtained favorable settlement on non-class basis prior to any formal discovery or motion practice.

Intellectual Property Litigation

Represented client in patent infringement actions against a dozen automobile manufacturers in California and Michigan federal court. Patents included safety and sensor technology. Cases settled shortly before trial.

Represented large medical device manufacturer in patent litigation involving immunoassay diagnostic devices. Patents included software for scheduling algorithms and mechanical components. Case settled shortly before trial.

Defended designer of footwear against trademark and trade dress infringement claims. Case settled shortly before trial.

IT Services Agreements

Represented a customer service call center in an action involving contract disputes and business torts against a global electronics manufacturer. After a six-week trial, jury found other party liable for fraud damages of over

$1.4 million.

Represented domestic telecommunications company in suit for writ of attachment by a Russian company in connection with ongoing Swiss arbitration. Obtained order setting aside entry of default and then dismissal of action without leave to amend.

Represented computer services company in federal action against large multinational corporation for breaching long-term computer supply and services agreement. Defeated multiple dispositive motions.

Licensing Disputes

Represented online medical records company in claim for breach of patent license agreement. Settled action after two days of bench trial.

Represented medical device company in arbitration against claim for breach of patent license agreement relating to surgical wax used in bone surgery.

Community & Professional

iTechLaw (International Technology Law Association)

Sedona Conference (Working Group 13 on “AI and the Law”)

American Bar Association (SciTech and Litigation sections)

IAPP (f/k/a International Association of Privacy Professionals)

Silicon Valley Arbitration & Mediation Center

Publications

Published Articles and Contributions to Books

Deepfake Dilemma, Intellectual Property Magazine (Sept. 2019)

International Technology Law Ass’n, Commentary on Principle 4: Fairness and Non-Discrimination, in Responsible AI: A Global Policy Framework (2021 Update) (contributor)

International Technology Law Ass’n, Commentary on Principle 2: Accountability, in The EU AIA: A Green Paper Policy Analysis (2022) (contributor).

Brehm v. Eisner, 906 A.2d 27 (Del. 2006)