Ross represents and counsels business and non-profit organizations regarding complex litigation, internal investigations and trade practices, including compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). He has significant experience conducting internal investigations and assisting clients in high profile and crisis management engagements, and frequently speaks on the topic of corporate compliance. Ross has served as lead trial counsel in numerous bench and jury cases. He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for International Trade & Finance.
Antitrust and Trade Practices: Ross has represented clients in multiple lawsuits involving antitrust, trade practice and business tort claims. Ross specializes in foreign anti-corruption compliance, including compliance with the FCPA.
Administrative and Regulatory Proceedings: Ross has served as trial counsel on behalf of telecommunications and utility companies in multiple contested proceedings.
Internal Investigations: Ross has conducted investigations in a variety of industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, consumer products and chemicals. He has investigated alleged anticompetitive trade practices, mass casualty incidents, environmental breaches, fraud, industrial accidents and conduct which implicates the FCPA. Prior to entering private practice, Ross served overseas as a military prosecutor and conducted sensitive criminal and national security investigations in foreign jurisdictions.
Representative Matters include:
- Representation of multiple public, private and non-profit entities regarding FCPA/foreign anti-corruption compliance and investigations.
- Representation of a public company in an internal investigation of $10 million embezzlement.
- Representation of a Fortune 50 consumer products manufacturer in an antitrust jury trial involving claims of price discrimination and discriminatory promotional payments under the Robinson-Patman Act. Ross served on the prevailing trial team.
- Representation of a heavy products manufacturer in an internal investigation related to alleged product defects and the potential need for a nationwide product recall.
- Representation of a Fortune 50 consumer products manufacturer in an internal investigation and federal suit alleging nationwide intentional interference with contract and interference with business relationships.
- Representation of international manufacturer in product liability suits as lead counsel.
- Representation of medical device manufacturers in federal and state product liability suits.
- Representation of a foreign national plaintiff in a wrongful death and wrongful denial of insurance case; obtained settlement in excess of $1 million for client.
- Representation of healthcare clients in internal investigations and lawsuits arising out of mass casualty healthcare facility fires.
- Representation of an investor-owned utility in contested administrative rates cases.
- Representation of a government contractor in a bid protest action before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Ross served as lead counsel, obtaining a judgment resulting in his client retaining multiple government contracts worth an estimated $37 million.
- Serving as outside general counsel for start-up companies.
Ross’s recent speaking engagements include:
- "Foreign Anti-Corruption Enforcement: How Recent OECD Developments Affect Your Risk & Compliance Obligations," Association of Corporate Counsel Webcast, June 1, 2010.
- "The FCPA Effect: What Escalating Enforcement of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Means for Companies & Individuals Involved in International Business," The Corporate Governance Center at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, April 16, 2010.
- "Federal Laws that Keep In-House Counsel Awake at Night," Moderator, Current Issues in Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Litigation Conference, ABA Section of Litigation, Kenilworth, New Jersey, November 12, 2009.
- "Overview of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act," Lex Mundi Business Crimes & Compliance Committee Conference, Paris, France, October 15-16, 2009.
- "FCPA And Best Practices in Preventing Fraud and Corruption in a Global Business," Association of Corporate Counsel Webcast, September 24, 2009.
- "The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act: What Counsel for Every Business that Operates Internationally Needs to Know," Plenary Session Presentation, Lex Mundi North American Regional Conference, May 28, 2009.
- "FCPA Overview," General Counsels' Forum, Nashville, TN, May 5, 2009.
Ross' pro bono practice has included the successful representation of a U.S. Navy officer in a civil rights and whistleblower matter. In addition, Ross led a pro bono team of firm attorneys representing KIPP Academy Nashville, an award-winning Nashville public charter school for at-risk children.
Prior to joining the firm, Ross was an active-duty officer in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps. He served as a legal officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, with NATO forces in Kosovo, as the judge advocate for a three warship Maritime Expeditionary Force sent to enforce U.N. sanctions against Iraq, and as a military prosecutor based in Japan. Ross graduated summa cum laude from the University of Tennessee College of Law.
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