Jason Wheeler is a dynamic and highly effective litigator who develops and executes creative solutions to resolve product liability, personal injury and commercial disputes in state and federal courts across the country.
Jason represents domestic and international companies in a variety of industries, whether for a single high-risk lawsuit or a large portfolio of claims. Laser focused both on the client’s interests and the need for efficient strategies to promote them, he guides clients smoothly through all phases of litigation so that they can devote their resources to the important work of running their business.
Jason began his career serving in critical roles on several of the largest and most high-risk cases in U.S. history. Working with world-renowned litigators and scientific experts, he learned and soon also mastered the creative approaches needed to defeat complex claims.
To get ahead of opposing lawyers’ understanding, Jason works closely with clients and both internal and external scientific and/or technical experts to learn the language and rhythm of the industries and issues at hand. This interdisciplinary investigative technique has proved extremely effective in securing favorable outcomes—such as settlements or advancing dispositive motions—in an efficient manner. By excluding experts early, without wasting time on unnecessary discovery or depositions, Jason regularly convinces judges that the plaintiff’s claims can’t survive, leading to considerable savings for his client.
Jason also has substantial experience developing strategic partnerships with local counsel in jurisdictions all over the country. He carefully manages those partnerships to build the best team for each matter, ensuring all team members complete their tasks efficiently and with the upmost precision.
experience
National counsel for major consumer products company
- Jason currently serves as national counsel for a federally regulated consumer product manufacturing company. In that capacity, Jason has developed a skill for crafting sophisticated legal strategies that maximize favorable outcomes for a large portfolio of claims and lawsuits ranging from a few thousand dollars to tens of millions of dollars in potential exposure. This portfolio is truly national in scope, with disputes arising in jurisdictions from Massachusetts to California and most points in between.
Primary U.S. counsel for foreign manufacturers
- Through his long-standing relationship with a major international insurer, Jason represents foreign companies facing product liability, commercial, or other litigation in the U.S. He helps these companies navigate a foreign legal system, evaluate their options, and swiftly pinpoint the best avenue for the resolution of the claim — all while protecting his clients’ rights under international law. Jason has successfully resolved numerous claims for international clients through summary judgment, jurisdictional defenses, and leveraged settlement.
Complex litigation experience
- Jason served on the trial teams in the Blankenship litigation, the first-ever medical monitoring class action involving smokers tried to a verdict in the United States, as well as the United States v. Philip Morris litigation, a 10-month trial involving civil RICO claims brought by the Department of Justice against the tobacco industry. Jason also served on case teams for eight- and nine- figure lawsuits involving wrongful death claims, catastrophic injury claims, antitrust claims, RICO claims, and other complex commercial disputes.
- Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers
- American Bar Association
- Missouri Bar Association
- Illinois Bar Association
- Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
- Chair, Trial Advocacy Competition Committee, 2005-2010
- Recipient of Young Lawyers’ Division “Award of Merit”, 2006-2007
- Included in “Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers” Rising Stars list (by Thomson Reuters), 2009-2010; 2013-2015
My thing—and also my wife’s and kids’ thing—is restaurants. Restaurants are our church. And they don’t have to be fancy. I have an enormous appreciation for the industry, the people and what it takes to make it work.