Overview Experience Case Studies Insights Events News Outside the Office Community Leadership

Jason K. Smathers

Associate

Milwaukee
phone: 414.978.5537
fax: 414.223.5000

email: [email protected]

Overview Experience Case Studies

Insights Events News

Outside the Office Community Leadership

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Overview

A litigator, Jason advocates for clients, moving them forward in alignment with their business goals.

Jason is a litigator assisting nationwide corporations, small businesses, municipalities and individuals across sectors on a broad range of complex matters. He has experience on large-scale research projects as well as writing and collaborating with legal teams to find unique client solutions. Jason has assisted legal defense teams with innovative strategies regarding:

Trade secrets
Intellectual property
Software development
Family law
Mortgage priority
First Amendment issues

Before joining the firm, Jason worked for six years as an investigative journalist, covering Wisconsin political and governmental news for various outlets, including the Associated Press and a USA Today newsroom. This background allows Jason to understand that clients’ legal matters must be communicated – and solved – within the context of their real-world practicalities, budgets, timelines and goals.

Services

Commercial Litigation

ERISA & Employee Benefits Litigation

Litigation & Alternative Dispute Resolution

Toxic Tort

Recognition

Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission, Wisconsin Pro Bono Honor Society, 2020

Education

J.D., University of Iowa College of Law
- Journal of Corporation Law, executive editor
- with high distinction
B.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison

Admissions

Wisconsin

Experience

Represented manufacturing client when recently terminated product distributor claimed Minnesota Franchise Act violations, attempting to restore its distributorship and stall newly hired distributor. Convinced court to deny said motion.

Legal Updates | April 17, 2020

Wisconsin's Updated Safer-At-Home Order: Opening the Door for Business to Resume?

Articles | Summer 2019

Author, "Outfoxed or conning ourselves? Balancing accountability, business and fiscal interests in location-based tax incentive deals," Journal of Corporation Law, Vol. 44.4 (log-in required)

Outside the Office

When Jason and his wife (also an attorney) get out of the office, they can usually be seen running in preparation for a 5K, 10K or half-marathon. When feeling a little more leisurely, Jason can be found playing video games or attending the occasional Brewers game – sometimes with his young son.

Jason and his wife, Alex, pose with Bucky Badger after completing the BTN Big 10K in Chicago.

Jason’s son, Will, relaxes at a Brewers game.

Community Leadership

A Husch Blackwell Summer Associate in 2017 and 2018, Jason was recognized for outstanding achievement for logging the most pro bono hours across all firm offices in 2018. He also dedicated his time and talents to the following initiatives:

Equal Justice Foundation, social media coordinator, 2017-2018
Iowa Society of Healthcare Attorneys, volunteer editor, 2017-2018