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 substantial burdens imposed by litigation. Jesse has substantial first-chair experience in the courtroom and at arbitration. His practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, business disputes, and class action defense. He also has deep experience handling employment and false claims litigation. And 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.
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 in well over a dozen cases, and also before the Department of Labor.
Jesse is committed to public service and community engagement. Jesse is the Global Chair for Reed Smith’s Veterans Diversity and Inclusion Group - RS Vets. Jesse began his legal career at the San Francisco District Attorney’s office, and he continues to serve with distinction 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 23,000 soldiers and airmen.
Military Experience
Jesse is a decorated Infantry officer whose U.S. Army career has spanned more than 27 years. Jesse was promoted to Colonel in May 2017 and took command of the 115th Regional Support Group, an Army National Guard brigade based in Roseville, California. Recently, Jesse’s unit has participated in joint, coalition training exercises in the Ukraine and conducted civil support operations assisting local communities and first responders during multiple California wildfires in 2018.
Throughout his career, Jesse has served in multiple key leadership assignments including as 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 joined the Army as an enlisted soldier and later was commissioned as an Infantry officer after attending Officer Candidate School. 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.
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 role of landpower in achieving 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, Corporate Legal Times, The Daily Journal, Lawyers Weekly USA, The Baltimore Sun and on Military.com.
