Jesse is an experienced trial lawyer and member of the Global Commercial Disputes Group. Jesse’s clients know him to be a fierce competitor, strategic thinker, and loyal advisor who understands their business drivers. With his significant leadership experience in the U.S. Army, Jesse provides his clients a unique perspective and skill-set.
Jesse counsels his clients in all phases of litigation and in their efforts to avoid the burdens imposed by litigation. Jesse has extensive first-chair experience in the courtroom and at arbitration. His practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and class action defense. He also has deep experience handling employment and false claims litigation. In addition, Jesse has successfully led teams in fast-moving cases involving theft of trade secrets, non-competes and unfair competition, including claims arising under California Business and Professions Code Section 17200. He also has experience handling employment and false claims act litigation.
Jesse also has developed national expertise handling Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) matters. He counsels employers regarding military leave law issues arising under USERRA and analogous state laws. Jesse has successfully defended employers in federal courts across the United States and before the Department of Labor in dozen of cases.
Jesse is committed to public service and community engagement. He is the Global Chair for “RSVets” – Reed Smith’s Veterans Diversity and Inclusion Group. RSVets is comprised of lawyers and administrative staff personnel who have served in the military, as well as military family members and allies. RSVet’s mission is to bring the veteran experience to our relationships, professionally support our veteran employees and veteran-related issues, and organize diverse legal teams to meet client demands.
Jesse began his legal career at the San Francisco District Attorney’s office and continues his public service as a “Citizen Soldier” in the California Army National Guard, which is the land component for the second largest reserve force in the United States with nearly 20,000 soldiers and airmen.
Military Experience
Colonel, U.S, Army
Jesse is a decorated Infantry officer whose U.S. Army career has spanned nearly 30 years. He currently serves as the Chief of Staff, 40th Infantry Division in Los Alamitos, California. In March 2020, Jesse commanded the first California National Guard task force mobilized to provide humanitarian assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; in April 2020, he served as the Deputy Commander, Joint Task Force - California, the largest task force of its kind in the United States. From April 2020 to May 2021, Jesse led California’s statewide response to the pandemic in foodbanks, nursing homes and hospitals; spearheaded a massive interagency vaccination; and, simultaneously managed the Guard’s response to civil unrest and historic wildfires. During California’s dynamic response to these unprecedented emergencies, Jesse was a frequent commentator on BBC, CNN, ABC and Good Morning America as well as in the Los Angeles Times. His leadership during the pandemic was covered by The Am Law Litigation Daily and The Recorder.
Over the course of his career, Jesse has served in multiple key leadership assignments including as Brigade Commander, 115th Regional Support Group (2017-2020), Squadron Commander of the 1-18th Cavalry Squadron (2012-2014), Operations Officer for the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (2010-2012), Deputy J-3 for the California National Guard (2014-2015), and Executive Officer to the Commanding General, California Army National Guard (2015-2017), and Commander, Bravo Company, 1-184th Infantry (Air Assault) (2001-2003).
Jesse is what is known as a "Citizen Soldier, meaning his military duties come in addition to those of his civilian career and family responsibilities. Jesse enlisted in the Army as an Infantryman; he later was selected for Officer Candidate School and commissioned as an Infantry officer. During his military career, Jesse has served as a key leader during a number of contingency operations and state emergencies. Following the events of 9/11, Jesse deployed to the Middle East as the commander of a 160-man enhanced rifle company conducting security force missions for Army Central Command. In 2005, Jesse deployed to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina as part of the military relief effort serving as the operations officer for Joint Task Force - California. In 2007, Jesse deployed to San Diego at the onset of the Southern California wildfires serving on the primary staff of a Brigade sized task force made up of over 2,200 soldiers and airmen. In December 2009, Jesse's unit returned from a one-year deployment to the Balkans where it conducted peace enforcement operations as part of the NATO-led Kosovo Force. During the mission, Jesse served as the executive officer and second-in command of an Infantry battalion task force. In 2017 through 2019, Jesse led units during joint, coalition training exercises in the Ukraine. He also led civil support operations assisting local communities and first responders during the devastating 2018 California wildfires.
Jesse is a graduate of the prestigious U.S. Army War College. The War College’s mission is to prepare senior military and civilian leaders for the responsibilities of strategic leadership and the global application of Landpower to achieve national security objectives.
Pro Bono & Civic Engagement
Jesse's pro bono work representing Soldiers in need has received national attention. In January 2010, Jesse was awarded a Jefferson Award for his outstanding commitment to public service through his pro bono work and military service. Established in 1972, The Jefferson Awards are a nationwide program to encourage and honor individuals for their achievements and contributions through public service and community efforts. In 2007, Jesse was named a "Pro Bono Star" during Reed Smith's Sean Halpin Awards. His efforts pursuing benefits for a wounded Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran were featured on National Public Radio and in front-page stories in the Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Chronicle. The American Lawyer selected Jesse’s work on this matter as a pro bono case of the year for 2007, and later featured Jesse’s work on several other pro bono matters in a piece on top military cases. In 2009, a Reed Smith trial team won a jury verdict in Arizona on behalf of an aggrieved combat veteran who was victimized financially while convalescing at Walter Reed Medical Center.
Jesse’s commentary on military and Veterans’ issues have also been featured in The New York Times, USA Today, The Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Bloomberg Law, Thomson Reuters, Corporate Legal Times, The Daily Journal, Lawyers Weekly USA, The Baltimore Sun and on Military.com.
