Biography
Jason Rodgers is a trial lawyer who helps clients navigate investigations and defend actions brought by federal regulatory agencies, as well as resolve complex commercial disputes between civil litigants. His background spans investigative and trial work on behalf of the Securities and Exchange Commission, together with civil cases and arbitrations involving private securities fraud, mortgage-backed securities, private equity partnership disputes, public contracts, and licensing agreements.
As a former member of the SEC Division of Enforcement, Jason investigated fraud and brought actions to enforce the federal securities laws. The matters he handled include oil-and-gas offering frauds, insider trading, ponzi and “pump and dump” schemes, public company disclosures, accounting fraud, auditor misconduct, internal corporate controls, and broker-dealer and investment adviser violations. Jason obtained TROs, asset freezes, and receiverships in emergency district court actions, and has substantial experience overseeing receivership matters. In addition, Jason brought administrative proceedings against investment advisers and broker-dealers for fraud, registration, and “selling away” violations. His enforcement work regularly entailed parallel criminal investigations, and he draws from his experience in these areas to defend clients in governmental investigations and regulatory actions.
Prior to joining the SEC, Jason defended individuals and entities entangled in accounting scandals that led to the enactment of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. His representation of a law firm swept up in the SEC’s investigation of Enron resulted in no enforcement action by the Commission, as well as the dismissal of the firm from the private securities fraud lawsuit brought by Enron shareholders and employees. From 1997-98, following his graduation from law school, Jason clerked for the Honorable Jacques L. Wiener, Jr., United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
Education
B.A., Duke University, 1994
J.D., with honors, The University of Texas School of Law, 1997
- Order of the Coif
- Texas Law Review, Associate Editor
Bar Admissions
Texas, 1998
Court Admissions
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States District Court for the Northern, Southern, Western, and Eastern Districts of Texas
Representative Defense and Other Matters
- Defense of individual and companies in SEC investigation of alleged bitcoin offering fraud
- Defense of broker in SEC investigation of alleged offering fraud involving life settlements
- Defense of individuals in SEC insider trading investigations
- Defense of national law firm in SEC investigation, and related securities fraud class action and bankruptcy proceedings
- Defense of partners in private equity fund against fraud and contract claims brought by former partner
- Defense of mortgage banking company in shareholder class action arising from a proposed $400 million merger
- Defense of seller under mortgage loan purchase agreement against contractual claims seeking $80 million
- Arbitration of claims against software licensee for distributing software in violation of exclusive licensing agreement
- Prosecution of claims against the City of Houston on behalf of disappointed bidder for $250 million public contract
- Defense of government contractor in $4 million breach of contract claim brought by the City of Dallas
Representative Matters as Trial Counsel with the SEC Division of Enforcement
- SEC v. King Chuen Tang, et al., No. C-09-05146 (N.D. Ca.) (insider trading)
- SEC v. Rockwell Energy of Texas, LLC, et al., No. H-09-4080 (S.D. Tex.) (offering fraud)
- SEC v. Alan Todd May, et al., No. 3:10-cv-425-L (N.D. Tex.) (offering fraud/Ponzi scheme)
- SEC v. Life Partners Holdings, Inc., et al., No. 6:12-cv-00002 (W.D. Tex.) (disclosure and accounting fraud)
- SEC v. William G. Mortensen, et al., No. 3:10-CV-1142-B (N.D. Tex) (accounting fraud)
- SEC v. Sunrise Solar Corp., et. al., No. 5:12-cv-00918-OLG (W.D. Tex.) (pump and dump)
- In re: Priscilla Sabado, AP File No. 3-14145 (broker-dealer violations)
- In re: Weizhan Tang, AP File No. 3-15060 (investment adviser violations)
Publications
- “Supreme Court Upholds Disgorgement Remedy Under the Securities Exchange Act, But Restricts the Scope of the Relief That the SEC May Seek,” Jackson Walker Insights (June 25, 2020)
- “Pandemic Recovery Funds and Government Enforcement,” Jackson Walker Insights (April 29, 2020)
- “Supreme Court Declines to Extend Janus’ Reach, Upholds Primary Liability Under the Anti-Fraud Provisions of the Securities Laws,” Jackson Walker Insights (March 29, 2019)
- “U.S. Department of Justice Announces National Healthcare Fraud Takedown,” Jackson Walker Insights (July 2, 2018)
Speaking Engagements
- Presenter, “The Intersection of Civil and Criminal Law: Tips for Businesses to Avoid Government Investigations,” Vaco Dallas & Jackson Walker CPE Ethics CLE (August 23, 2019)
In the News
- “Former Texas regulator is out as CEO at biblically oriented oil firm,” Austin American-Statesman (September 10, 2018)