Jon’s practice focuses on litigation arising from corporate mergers and acquisitions and disputes relating to the governance and control of Delaware business entities.
Jon regularly represents major Fortune 500 corporations and advises boards of directors and special committees of directors on all aspects of Delaware corporation law, including defense of stockholder class and derivative actions, conflict transactions involving directors and controlling stockholders, and proxy contests. Recognized as a leading Delaware Chancery trial attorney, he has been ranked by Chambers USA and numerous other legal publications.
Jon also has substantial experience litigating major commercial disputes in the Complex Commercial Litigation Division of the Delaware Superior Court.
Experience
Lead counsel, successfully defended claims challenging dissolution of consumer products holding company. Mehra v. Teller, No. 2019-0812 KSJM (January 29, 2021)
Defended independent directors of Wells Fargo & Company in multi-forum litigation alleging breach of fiduciary duty claims (2017-2021)
Represented real estate joint venture in successful defense of contract claims, Simon-Mills II, LLC et al. v. Kan Am USA XVI Limited Partnership, et al., No. 8520-VCG (March 30, 2017)
Represented global biopharmaceutical company, Celgene Corporation, in Court of Chancery action alleging claims for excessive director equity compensation. In re Receptos, Inc. Stockholder Litigation, Consol. C.A. No. 11316-CB (July 21, 2016)
Lead counsel for petitioner, Ad-Venture, in an appraisal case pursuant to 8 Del. C. 262 in which the Delaware Court of Chancery awarded an appraisal value that was more than 2.5 times the merger price, which is among the largest percentage awards in the history of appraisal law. In re ISN Software Corp. Appraisal Litigation, C.A. No. 8388-VCG (August 11, 2016)
Served as Delaware counsel on the trial team that won one of the ten largest jury verdicts in the nation in 2013. Michael Lesh, M.D. and Erik Van Der Burg v. ev3, Inc., C.A. No. 05C-05-218 CLS (May 1, 2013)
Successfully represented Hallmark Cards in litigation challenging the recapitalization of Crown Media. S. Muoio & Co. LLC v. Hallmark Entertainment Investments Co., et al., C.A. No. 4729-CC (March 9, 2011)
Represented Unocal in litigation arising out of its acquisition of Pure Resources. In re Pure Resources, Inc. Shareholders Litigation, Consol. C.A. No. 19876 (October 7, 2002)
Represented Bain Capital, Vornado and KKR before the Court of Chancery in litigation challenging their acquisition of Toy-R-Us. In re Toys “R” Us, Inc. Shareholder Litigation, Consol. C.A. No. 1212-N (June 22, 2005)
News & Insights
Media Mention, Best Lawyers, 08.15.2024The Best Lawyers in America has released its 2025 edition listing 39 attorneys from Morris Nichols. The results are based on peer-review evaluations from more than 160,000 eligible attorneys.
Honors & Recognitions
Chambers USA: Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers, ranked in Delaware Chancery, since 2009
The Legal 500 US, mentioned in M&A litigation, 2015-2023
Delaware Super Lawyers, listed in business litigation, 2008, 2010-2024
The Best Lawyers in America, listed in Delaware commercial litigation and corporate law, since 2009
Benchmark Litigation, Local Litigation Star in commercial and securities litigation, since 2015
Professional & Civic
Delaware Supreme Court Rules Committee (Former Member)
Delaware Symphony Association (Former Chairman of the Board)
Delaware Arts Consortium Endowment Fund (Former President)
Clerkships
- Law Clerk to the Honorable Joseph T. Walsh, Delaware Supreme Court, 1985-1986
Education
Tulane University Law School, JD, cum laude, 1985
Tulane Law Review, senior managing editor, 1984-1985, editor, 1983-1984
University of Pennsylvania, BA and BS, health care economics, 1982
US Army, Airborne, Air Assault, Honors Program, 1986-1990, Chief Counsel US Army Corps of Engineers
Admissions
- Delaware, 1986
- Pennsylvania, 1985
- US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- US Supreme Court
Chambers USA sources describe Jon as “a very accomplished litigator” (2022) with “tremendous knowledge of the law and superb skills and experience.” (2017)