Overview
Jason Morris represents property and casualty insurers in litigation, mediation, and arbitration across the country. He counsels carriers on issues regarding claims practices and procedures, focusing on maximizing his clients' business interests and often helping them avoid litigation in the first place. When litigation becomes necessary, Jason draws on his experience handling bad faith and coverage claims, disputes between insurers, and defending the financial services industry from consumer class actions, primarily in federal court. Jason routinely serves as defense counsel for insureds on behalf of insurers, using his industry knowledge to advance the interests of both carriers and insureds through efficient and timely claims resolution.
Jason advises insurers with respect to coverage disputes concerning representation and warranty, professional liability, general liability, environmental, contractors, pollution liability, cybersecurity, directors and officers, employment practices liability, aviation, media, fidelity, fiduciary liability, securities, medical liability, trade credit, architects and engineers, event cancellation, and intellectual property insurance policies. In the RWI context, Jason has experience spearheading efforts to disqualify party-appointed arbitrators as biased against insurers and undermining claimants' overstated damages calculations, which are often based on an enterprise valuation multiple that has no bearing on the merger or acquisition purchase price pre-negotiated by the buyer and seller.
Jason also handles complex civil litigation, class actions, and disputes for clients in the financial services, life insurance, annuity, entertainment, aviation, and real estate industries. His substantial national experience includes matters governed by the laws of California, Illinois, New York, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Florida, Georgia, and more than 20 other states. His matters have covered a variety of substantive areas, such as RICO, ERISA, deceptive trade practices, unfair competition laws, fraud, financial elder abuse, breach of contract, bad faith, breach of fiduciary duty, and issues arising from market conduct examinations and other regulatory proceedings.
Experience
Property and Casualty Insurance
National claims-handling and bad faith counsel for large specialty lines carrier.
Commence arbitration and litigation against insureds on behalf of carriers.
Represented carriers in response to complaints filed with regulatory entities, including the California Department of Insurance.
Represented carriers in coverage disputes arising from bankrupt/insolvent insureds.
Obtained jury verdict for carrier client in San Francisco after three-week trial on directors and officers liability insurance policy.
Represented representation and warranty insurer in two-week arbitration trial in New York.
Lead attorney for pending federal lawsuit regarding trade credit insurance policy.
Obtained an order granting client insurer's motion to dismiss and dismissing federal RICO case concerning claims practices with prejudice. Eckart v. Allstate Northbrook Indemnity Co., No. 1:22-cv-00281, 2023 WL 2143465 (N.D. Ga. Feb. 17, 2023).
Report and recommendation that insured's case against client insurer regarding insurance dispute over commercial general liability and professional liability policy be dismissed with prejudice. 3rd Step Recovery Group Inc. v. Allied World Insurance Co., No. 0:22-cv-62107 (S.D. Fla. 2023).
Insurer client's motion for summary judgment granted in dispute over insurance under a directors and officers policy. Solomon Senior Living Holdings, LLC v. National Union Fire Insurance Co. of Pittsburgh, No. 1:20-cv-02765 (N.D. Ga. 2023).
Represented insurer against accounting firm in dispute over benefits under a professional liability policy. Lexington Insurance Co. v. Moore Stephens Tiller LLC, No. 1:16-cv-00114 (N.D. Ga. 2019).
Dismissal with prejudice of lender-placed insurance class action complaint on grounds of filed rate doctrine. Patel v. Specialized Loan Servicing LLC, 183 F. Supp. 3d 1238 (S.D. Fla. 2016).
Approving nationwide class action settlement over settlement class member objections. Montoya v. PNC Bank, N.A., No. 1:14-cv-20474, 2016 WL 1529902 (S.D. Fla. Apr. 13, 2016).
Obtained an order denying class action settlement objector's demand for discovery concerning settlement payment structure. Lee v. Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, 101 F. Supp. 3d 1293 (S.D. Fla. 2015).
Securing stay for insurer while order was sought in related class action barring plaintiff from relitigating claims. Hicks v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., No. 8:15-cv-00454, 2015 WL 4474593 (M.D. Fla. July 16, 2015).
Obtained an order dismissing at pleading stage insurer in lender-placed insurance class action involving RICO and state statutory and common law violations. Meyer v. One West Bank, F.S.B., 91 F. Supp. 3d 1177 (C.D. Cal. 2015).
Obtained an order granting a motion to stay putative nationwide class action alleging improprieties in the placement of lender-placed insurance. Perryman v. Litton Loan Servicing, LP, 81 F. Supp. 3d 893 (N.D. Cal. 2015).
Overruling objections to preliminary approval of class action settlement. Braynen v. Nationstar Mortgage, LLC, No. 1:14-cv-20726, 2014 WL 6090665 (S.D. Fla. Nov. 10, 2014).
Obtained a decision affirming the district court's dismissal of complaint involving lender-placed insurance. Kolbe v. BAC Home Loans Servicing, LP, 738 F.3d 432 (1st Cir. 2013) (en banc).
Obtained dismissal of all but one claim in putative class action concerning lender-placed insurance. Wahl v. American Security Insurance Co., No. 5:08-cv-00555, 2010 WL 1881126 (N.D. Cal. May 10, 2010), and 2009 WL 1766620 (N.D. Cal. June 18, 2009).
Life, Annuity, and Retirement Litigation
Obtained an order granting life insurer's motion to dismiss counterclaims. John Hancock Life Insurance Co. (U.S.A.) v. Berry, No. 1:25-cv-01952 (N.D. Ga. July 11, 2025).
Obtained an order granting life insurer's motion to dismiss counterclaims. Allianz Life Insurance Co. of North America v. Crouse, No. 1:17-cv-04746 (N.D. Ga. 2019).
Jury verdict in favor of insurer after monthlong trial concerning the suitability of fixed deferred annuities. Giorvas v. Grow, No. 2015-1-CV-285323 (Cal. Super. Ct. Oct. 14, 2016).
Obtained an order granting summary judgment for insurer and finding that STOLI policy was void at inception for lack of insurable interest. LincolnWay Community Bank v. Allianz Life Insurance Co. of North America, No. 1:11-cv-05907, 2015 WL 7251931 (N.D. Ill. Nov. 17, 2015).
Obtained an order dismissing complaint alleging failure of insurer to comply with statutory notice provisions when life insurance policy lapsed. Blau v. Allianz Life Insurance Co. of North America, 124 F. Supp. 3d 161 (E.D.N.Y. 2015).
Obtained an order dismissing ERISA section 1132(a)(3) claim and other claims against insurer in putative class action concerning payment of accidental death and dismemberment benefits. Logan v. Union Security Insurance Co., No. 2:14-cv-01174, 2015 WL 3745047 (C.D. Cal. Mar. 31, 2015).
Obtained an order granting a motion for partial summary judgment as to negligence and statutory bad faith claims. Kline v. CUNA Mutual Group Lending Solutions Group, No. 10818 of 2005 (Pa. Ct. Com. Pl. Luzerne Cnty. 2014).
Obtained an order granting key motions in limine in insurer's favor in nationwide annuity sales practices class action. Negrete v. Allianz Life Insurance Co. of North America, Nos. 2:05-cv-06838, 2:05-cv-08908, 2013 WL 6535164 (C.D. Cal. Dec. 9, 2013).
Obtained an order granting a motion to dismiss plaintiffs' putative class action claims. West v. CUNA Mutual Insurance Society, No. 2:11-cv-01259, 2012 WL 527658 (W.D. Pa. Feb. 16, 2012).
Obtained dismissal of representative action alleging consumer protection claims against insurer. Ostrow v. Allianz Life Insurance Co. of North America, No. 2009 CA 007621 B (D.C. Super. Ct. 2011).
Defense jury verdict following three-week trial in 350,000-member sales practices class action. Mooney v. Allianz Life Insurance Co. of North America, No. 0:06-cv-00545, 2010 WL 419962 (D. Minn. Jan. 29, 2010).
Aviation
Obtained summary judgment and fee award against plaintiff. Jones v. Alliance Ground International, No. 1:19-cv-04612 (N.D. Ga. 2020).
Represented insurer in dispute with another insurer regarding proper allocation of benefits. Allianz Global Risks US Insurance Co. v. Great American Insurance Co., No. 1:17-cv-02291 (N.D. Ga. 2019).
Represented airline cargo handling company against alleged premises liability. Pope v. Alliance Ground International, No. 17EV005914H (Ga. State Ct. Fulton Cnty. 2018).
Represented company and individual against alleged wrongful death claim. Coalson v. Art Sign Co., No. STSV2018000028 (Ga. State Ct. Dougherty Cnty. 2018).
Entertainment and Media
Represented prominent celebrity dancehall/reggae entertainer against defamation suit.
Obtained dismissal of multiple defamation suits against media companies related to news articles.
Represented owner of TV channel in suit alleging TV show improperly portrayed plaintiff's property in reality TV show.
Represented screenwriter in suit alleging defamation in connection with televised documentary.
Represented celebrity chef in Americans with Disabilities Act suit against chef's restaurant.
Business Litigation
Represented major Christian nonprofit in breach of warranty dispute related to faulty equipment.
Represented national caterer and casual dining chain in eminent domain action and multiple commercial dispossessory disputes.
Represented luxury goods retailer in multiple commercial dispossessory disputes.
Represented commercial property owners against tenants raising asbestos concerns.
Represented employers against employees in disputes related to noncompete and non-disclosure agreements.
Obtained summary judgment for employer in discrimination suit. Collins v. Navicent Health, No. 5:18-cv-00416 (M.D. Ga. 2020).
Represented retail seller against TCPA class action. Luster v. American Sunshine, LLC, No. 1:19-cv-03192 (N.D. Ga.).
Successfully defeated motions to dismiss in their entirety on behalf of accounting software firm in RICO case for the recovery of millions of dollars. M3 Accounting Services, Inc. v. Dean, No. 2:18-cv-00246, 2019 WL 3817464 (N.D. Ga. Aug. 14, 2019).
Obtained an order granting summary judgment for client in breach of promissory note case. Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. v. ScanTech Holdings, LLC, No. 2017CV290944 (Ga. Super. Ct. Fulton Cnty. 2019).
Represented real estate owners in declaratory judgment action. Executive Committee of the Baptist Convention of the State of Georgia v. Jackson Hill Baptist Church, Inc., No. 17CV8057 (Ga. Super. Ct. DeKalb Cnty.).
Represented law firm against claim of wrongful foreclosure. Tlhapane v. Jackson, No. 2016CV282414 (Ga. Super. Ct. Fulton Cnty.).
Represented owner of shopping center against Americans with Disabilities Act suit. Waters v. Ariel Belvedere Owner Holdings LLC, No. 1:17-cv-03648 (N.D. Ga.).
Ordering preservation of the parties' status quo business relationship pending outcome of arbitral proceedings. American Security Insurance Co. v. Cricket Communications, C.A. No. 7410 (Del. Ch. Apr. 30, 2012).
Pro Bono
Obtained retroactive first-time offender status for individual who already paid debt to society and was never told about first-time offender program when originally sentenced.
Successfully petitioned federal government to release inmate serving life imprisonment who had already served more time than the maximum time he would receive if sentenced today for the same crime.
Adopting firm's recommendations concerning pro bono client following three-day bench trial. Cobb v. Mason, No. 2002 DRB 2818 (D.C. Super. Ct. July 21, 2011).
Judgment in favor of pro bono clients who were victims of mortgage "foreclosure rescue" fraud following three-week trial affirmed. Abell v. Cissel, No. 09-0900 (Md. Ct. Spec. App. 2010).
News & Insights
News
Publications
Recognition
Honors & Recognitions
Pro Bono Hero Award (2015)
Capital Pro Bono High Honor Roll, D.C. Superior Court (2011)
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the highest court of any state. See Awards Methodology.
Beyond the Bio
Jason is an editor of PropertyCasualtyFocus, the firm's blog focused on legal developments in property and casualty insurance, and contributes to the annual updates of the Handbook on ERISA Litigation. He previously served on the staff of The Tax Lawyer.
Related Capabilities
Bar Admissions
Court Admissions
Education
J.D., Georgetown University Law Center
BBA, magna cum laude, Mercer University
