W. Ross Forbes
Practice Areas
Experience
- Arbitration
- Business Litigation
- Commodities & Derivatives
- Corporate & Securities Litigation
- International
- Latin America Inbound – Spanish
- Latin America Outbound – English
- Securities Arbitration
Biography
For over 20 years, W. Ross Forbes, Jr. has focused his practice on litigating business disputes in both state and federal courts. Ross chairs the Jackson Walker litigation section, which includes approximately 150 lawyers. Additionally, he represents clients in arbitrations administered under the AAA Rules, UNCITRAL Rules, JAMS Rules, and by FINRA.
Ross has tried and won jury and non-jury trials as well as arbitrations. His substantive areas of practice include representing clients in cases of alleged fraud and negligent misrepresentation; breach of fiduciary duty; breach of contract; tortious interference with contract; partnership and limited partnership disputes; claims relating to non-competition agreements; theft of trade secrets; and other claims arising in business disputes. Ross also has extensive experience representing international clients in litigation, having successfully represented individuals and entities from Afghanistan, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, England, Germany, Mexico, and Pakistan.
Education
B.A., cum laude, Southern Methodist University
J.D., Wake Forest University School of Law
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
United States Supreme Court
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas
Representative Matters
- Won AAA arbitration in 2019 on claimants’ fraud claim relating to their private equity investment in an energy project. Clients/claimants recovered in excess of $5 million.
- Won jury trial in 2016 for limited partner in dispute with several partners and others on claims for breach of fiduciary duty and fraud.
- Won bench trial in 2015 for investor in offshore investment scheme.
- First Dallas Holdings, Inc. v. Humphrey, Cause No. 10-08453, In the 162nd Judicial District Court of Dallas County, Texas.
Represented investment firm in lawsuit for specific performance to obtain a commercial building in Dallas. Won jury verdict and client obtained building. - In re Wachovia Securities, LLC, 312 S.W.3d 243 (Tex. App. – Dallas 2010, no pet.)
Convinced court of appeals to overrule trial court’s denial of motion to compel arbitration on behalf of securities firm facing lawsuit alleging fraud and negligent misrepresentation. - Lone Star Fund v. Barclays Bank, 594 F.3d 383 (5th Cir. 2010)
Represented investment bank in trial court and on appeal and obtained a dismissal with prejudice which was affirmed on appeal against hedge fund alleging securities fraud and common law fraud in the sale of mortgage backed securities. - MRT, Inc. v. Vounckx, 299 S.W.3d 500 (Tex.App. – Dallas 2009, no pet.)
Represented renowned Belgian high technology research institute in a jury trial and on appeal and obtained a take nothing judgment in defense of claims of fraud and negligent misrepresentation which was affirmed on appeal.
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Commercial Litigation, 2021-2025
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, 2023-2024
- Rising Star, Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), 2006-2009, 2011
- Best Lawyers in Dallas Under 40, D Magazine, 2006
- AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
- Wake Forest University School of Law, Law Board of Visitors, 2018-Present
- Greater Dallas Chambers’ Leadership Dallas Program, Graduate
- Leadership Dallas Alumni Association, Board Member, 2011-2016
- Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
- Dallas Bar Foundation, Fellow
November 11, 2024
Attorney News
Mitch Murphy Joins Jackson Walker as Partner in Trial & Appellate Litigation Practice
Jackson Walker is excited to announce that Mitch Murphy has joined our firm as a partner in the Trial & Appellate Litigation practice in our Houston office, bringing over twenty years of experience in commercial litigation with a focus on the oil, gas, and natural resources sector.
September 12, 2024
Spotlight
Jackson Walker Named BTI Awesome Opponent Among the Law Firms Most Feared in Litigation
Jackson Walker’s Trial & Appellate Litigation practice has once again been recognized as a formidable opponent in the courtroom by BTI Consulting Group in its annual “BTI Litigation Outlook” report.
September 9, 2024
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates 36 Attorneys Named Among the Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 36 attorneys to Lawdragon’s 2025 list of the 500 leading litigators in America. The third edition of this list recognizes America’s top talent in antitrust, financial and securities litigation, intellectual property, commercial litigation, real estate, mergers and acquisitions, cybersecurity, and white collar and investigations.
August 15, 2024
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 306 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2025 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 75 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 306 Jackson Walker attorneys across 81 specialty practice areas in its 2025 edition, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 75 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (75 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (55 attorneys) and the addition of 27 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
February 19, 2024
Attorney News
Former Cyber and National Security Prosecutor Joe Magliolo Joins Jackson Walker’s Investigations & White Collar Defense Team
Jackson Walker is pleased to welcome Joe Magliolo as a partner in the Trial & Appellate Litigation practice of the Dallas office. Joining the Investigations & White Collar team, Joe brings distinguished experience as a former Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.
February 1, 2024
Attorney News
Tyler Wallach Joins Trial & Appellate Litigation Practice in Fort Worth
Jackson Walker is pleased to welcome Tyler Wallach as senior counsel in the Trial & Appellate Litigation practice of the Fort Worth office.
October 17, 2023
Spotlight
Jackson Walker Named BTI Intimidating Opponent Among the 62 Law Firms Most Feared in Litigation
The 62 law firms identified among the “Most Feared in Litigation” are recognized for challenging conventions, taking on thorny issues, sharing early assessments with clients, surmounting obstacles, and linking unconnected ideas. This is Jackson Walker’s third year in a row on the list and its second year as an Intimidating Opponent.
September 14, 2023
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates 35 Attorneys Named Among the Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America
Jackson Walker announces the selection of 35 attorneys to Lawdragon’s 2024 list of the 500 leading litigators in America.
August 17, 2023
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
May 8, 2023
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Welcomes Katie Carmona to Austin Litigation Group
Joining Jackson Walker after serving as a career law clerk to U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel of the Western District of Texas, Katie Carmona offers over 25 years of experience handling complex trial and appellate cases.
Practice Experience
Representative Matters
- Won AAA arbitration in 2019 on claimants’ fraud claim relating to their private equity investment in an energy project. Clients/claimants recovered in excess of $5 million.
- Won jury trial in 2016 for limited partner in dispute with several partners and others on claims for breach of fiduciary duty and fraud.
- Won bench trial in 2015 for investor in offshore investment scheme.
- First Dallas Holdings, Inc. v. Humphrey, Cause No. 10-08453, In the 162nd Judicial District Court of Dallas County, Texas.
Represented investment firm in lawsuit for specific performance to obtain a commercial building in Dallas. Won jury verdict and client obtained building. - In re Wachovia Securities, LLC, 312 S.W.3d 243 (Tex. App. – Dallas 2010, no pet.)
Convinced court of appeals to overrule trial court’s denial of motion to compel arbitration on behalf of securities firm facing lawsuit alleging fraud and negligent misrepresentation. - Lone Star Fund v. Barclays Bank, 594 F.3d 383 (5th Cir. 2010)
Represented investment bank in trial court and on appeal and obtained a dismissal with prejudice which was affirmed on appeal against hedge fund alleging securities fraud and common law fraud in the sale of mortgage backed securities. - MRT, Inc. v. Vounckx, 299 S.W.3d 500 (Tex.App. – Dallas 2009, no pet.)
Represented renowned Belgian high technology research institute in a jury trial and on appeal and obtained a take nothing judgment in defense of claims of fraud and negligent misrepresentation which was affirmed on appeal.
Recognition & Accolades
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Commercial Litigation, 2021-2025
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, 2023-2024
- Rising Star, Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), 2006-2009, 2011
- Best Lawyers in Dallas Under 40, D Magazine, 2006
- AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Community Involvement
- Wake Forest University School of Law, Law Board of Visitors, 2018-Present
- Greater Dallas Chambers’ Leadership Dallas Program, Graduate
- Leadership Dallas Alumni Association, Board Member, 2011-2016
- Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
- Dallas Bar Foundation, Fellow