Ross represents and counsels public and private companies regarding complex litigation, internal investigations and international and domestic trade practices. He leads the firm's Foreign Anti-Corruption Compliance & Investigations team. He has served as lead counsel in numerous jury trials, bench trials, mediations and internal investigations. He has significant experience assisting clients in high profile and crisis management engagements, with public policy matters and with international transactions. Ross is listed in Best Lawyers® for International Trade & Finance.
International & Domestic Trade Practices: Ross has extensive expertise and experience regarding FCPA/foreign anti-corruption compliance and international investigations. He has led multiple international investigations, including in Asia, Africa and Europe. Ross has assisted clients with foreign acquisitions, joint ventures, expansions, global sourcing, implementing global compliance programs and in multiple lawsuits involving antitrust, trade practice and business tort claims.
Administrative and Regulatory Proceedings: Ross has served as a trial attorney on behalf of regulated public and private companies in multiple contested proceedings, including before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
Internal Investigations: Ross has conducted investigations in a variety of industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, consumer products and chemicals. He has investigated alleged FCPA violations, anticompetitive trade practices, mass casualty incidents, environmental breaches, fraud, and industrial accidents. Prior to entering private practice, Ross served overseas as a U.S. Navy prosecuting attorney and conducted sensitive criminal and national security investigations in foreign jurisdictions.
Representative Matters include:
- Lead counsel for Fortune 500 company in FCPA JV due diligence investigation (China)
- Lead counsel for public company in FCPA internal investigation (Europe & Africa)
- Lead counsel for Fortune 500 in FCPA M&A due diligence investigation (Africa)
- Lead counsel for public company in FCPA internal investigation (India)
- Lead counsel for public company in FCPA internal investigation (China)
- Lead counsel for foreign public company in internal investigation of industrial incident in U.S.
- Lead counsel for public company regarding FCPA compliance for international transactions (South America, Australia and Europe)
- Lead counsel for multiple healthcare, retail, and manufacturing companies regarding FCPA & foreign anti-corruption compliance matters
- Lead trial counsel for telecommunications company in civil suit brought against municipality; obtained summary judgment for client on all claims
- Lead trial counsel for international manufacturer in multiple product liability suits in Tennessee & Kentucky
- Lead trial counsel for food company in Tennessee product liability suits
- Lead trial counsel in bid protest action before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims; obtained judgment resulting in client retaining multiple government contracts worth approximately $37 million
- Representation of state-wide business association regarding public policy matters
- Representation of Board of Directors of $1B+ entity in internal investigation of senior management
- Representation of public company in an internal investigation of $10 million embezzlement
- Representation of public company in appeal to the Tennessee Court of Appeals
- Representation of a Fortune 500 consumer products manufacturer in an antitrust jury trial involving claims of price discrimination and discriminatory promotional payments under the Robinson-Patman Act; 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 500 consumer products manufacturer in an internal investigation and federal suit alleging nationwide intentional interference with contract and interference with business relationships
- 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 public company utilities in contested administrative rates cases and proceedings
- Serving as outside general counsel for start-up companies
Ross’s recent speaking engagements include:
- "Beware of the 'Practical' Advice: Global Migration Counsel and International Anti-Bribery Statutes," Co-presenter, AILA's 2012 Annual Conference on Immigration Law, June 13, 2012.
- "Structuring or Revamping Your Compliance Program," ACC's Compliance and Ethics Training Program, New Orleans, LA, May 1, 2012.
- "When the Authorities Come Calling: Responding to U.S. and International Investigations and Complying with Foreign Anti-Corruption Laws," Co-presenter (with Anthony Joseph), Southern Law Network 12th Annual General Counsel's Forum, The Greenbrier, WV, October 29, 2011.
- "External Investigations and Emerging Investigation & Enforcement Issues," Moderator, Lex Mundi Business Crimes & Compliance Group Global Meeting, London, UK, September 30, 2011.
- "Business Crimes and Compliance 2011 Update - Key U.S. and International Risk Management Developments," Co-presenter (with Audrey Chen, Catriona Munro, Nishant Joshi and Ruchi Mahajan), Lex Mundi Webcast, August 31, 2011.
- "Practical Tips for Handling International Investigations & Anti-Corruption Compliance," Co-presenter (with Wally Dietz), Association of Corporate Counsel Webcast, July 20, 2011.
- "Heading off Trouble or Stopping in its Tracks: Conducting Internal Investigations and Minimizing False Claims Act and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Risks," Co-presenter (with John Moylon and Tally Parham), In-House Counsel Roundtable, Greenville, SC, May 4, 2011.
- "Anti-Corruption Policy and Practice Update 2010," Lex Mundi webinar, October 21, 2010.
- "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 multi-year representation of a U.S. Navy officer in a civil rights and whistleblower matter. In addition, Ross led a pro bono team of attorneys representing KIPP Academy Nashville, an award-winning Nashville public charter school for at-risk children. Ross’ civic involvements have included service as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for KIPP Academy Nashville and work on multiple state and federal political campaigns.
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 nuclear aircraft carrier USS George Washington, with NATO ground 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 prosecuting attorney based in Japan.
Ross graduated with highest honors from the University of Tennessee College of Law and was awarded the Dean’s Citation for Extraordinary Contributions to the College of Law. Ross previously served on the staff of the Permanent Sub-Committee on Investigations of the United States Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs and as a judicial intern to U.S. Chief District Judge James H. Jarvis, Jr.
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