Jason Stiehl

Jason Stiehl is a partner in Crowell & Moring’s Chicago office, where he is a member of the firm’s Litigation and Technology & Brand Protection Group. Jason is an experienced trial lawyer with a nationwide practice in federal and state courts focusing on complex litigation, consumer class actions and advertising disputes. He serves clients in the retail, food and beverage, pharmaceutical and medical equipment, advertising and technology sectors defending allegations related to consumer fraud, false labeling and deceptive practices and Lanham Act violations. As a leading consumer class action defense lawyer, Jason also defends clients in matters involving the regulatory “alphabet soup”. His experience includes defense and counseling regarding the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, and navigating the myriad varying state consumer protection statutes, including California’s Legal Remedies Act (CLRA) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

In addition, Jason represents clients in complex litigation matters involving corporate espionage, restrictive covenants, trade secrets and other intellectual property claims, general unfair competition and complex disputes over post-acquisition escrows and earnouts.  His cases have involved recovering and protecting international brand assets in Asia, South America, Canada and Europe, using cross-border resources to secure his client’s intellectual property, including automotive, industrial and food manufacturing technologies.  Jason has been recognized by his peers and clients for his ability to understand and immerse himself in his client’s business and develop a fulsome strategy to protect their most valuable assets. Jason has obtained and defended preliminary and permanent injunction matters across the country, and has taken multiple cases through trial and appeal. 

Representative Matters

Representative Commercial Dispute Experience:

• Prosecuted and defended claims of Lanham Act violation for representations regarding performance and market positioning
• Pursued injunctive relief under Lanham Act to prevent false and misleading advertising claims by competitors
• Successfully defended Fortune 500 company against tortious interference and breach of contract claim related to post-acquisition earnout dispute
• Obtained permanent injunction against competitor, resulting in acquisition of competitor’s assets to resolve dispute
• Obtained positive result for client regarding dispute over escrowed funds post-acquisition related to disputed metric achievements 
• Routinely counsel client, and pursue or defend litigation, involving corporate breakups
• Successfully pursued buy/sell covenant cases on behalf of various medical device manufacturing companies
• Successfully pursued buy/sell covenant cases on behalf of various logistic companies

Representative Class Action Experience:

• Defended Fortune 500 management company in privacy litigation related to California Consumer Privacy Act resulting in quick and positive resolution
• Defended Fortune 500 food manufacturer related to false labeling claims as to specific ingredients resulting in quick and positive resolution
• Defended Fortune 500 pet food retailer related to false labeling claims (all natural) under state deceptive trade practices statute resulting in dismissal of all claims
• Defended Fortune 500 clothing retailer related to false labeling claims (quality of materials) under state deceptive trade practices resulting in dismissal of all claims
• Defended Fortune 500 clothing retailer related to false labeling claims (benefits of product) under state deceptive trade practices resulting in dismissal of all claims
• Defended Fortune 500 restaurant brand related to gratuity and menu labeling claims resulting in dismissal of all claims
• Defended multiple waste management companies related to deceptive fee claims
• Defended cannabis company in claims related to Telephone Consumer Protection Act claims resulting in quick resolution and avoidance of litigation
• Successfully defeated class certification on behalf of entertainment brand related to claims brought under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act
• Resolved numerous qui tam whistleblower suits related to shipping charges for various retailers
• Defended over 15 class actions across the country, including banks, sports teams, theaters, restaurants and grocery stores, related to the Electronic Funds Transfer Act
• Represented automotive filter manufacturer in relation to price fixing antitrust claims

Representative Trade Secret/Restrictive Covenant Experience:

• Conducted one-week permanent injunction hearing on behalf of an automotive manufacturer, resulting in permanent injunction preventing the sale and importation of several misappropriated products
• Conducted two-week trial bench trial on behalf of automotive part manufacturer, resulting in an injunction as to use of formulas and designs
• Conducted two-week jury trial on behalf of retailer related to formulations, resulting in a no-liability for client
• Conducted two-week arbitration involving corporate raiding and trade secret allegations in consulting space, resulting in a finding of no liability for clients
• Obtained permanent injunction against former employee and new company to prevent selling of misappropriated surgical products
• Obtained permanent injunction against former employee and new employer, resulting in acquisition of assets of new employer to resolve dispute
• Pursued and defended manufacturer of plant-based food products
• Pursued and defended restrictive covenant cases on behalf of various medical device manufacturing companies
• Pursued and defended restrictive covenant cases on behalf of various logistic companies

Professional Activities and Memberships Member, Chicago Bar Association

• Class Action Chair, Chicago Bar Association (2019-2020)
• Member, Illinois State Bar Association
• Board Member, Friends of the Children-Chicago

Affiliations