Biography
Jonathan Shulan has a robust litigation practice focusing on complex commercial disputes, high-stakes insurance coverage and bad faith litigation and counseling, and appeals. A tireless, thoughtful, and passionate advocate, Jon works with clients to develop winning strategies that align with their values and further their business objectives.
Commercial Litigation/Arbitration
Jon’s commercial practice encompasses a wide range of cases, including director and officer litigation, business torts, consumer protection, construction disputes, class actions, ERISA matters, fiduciary litigation, public finance disputes, noncompete and trade secret litigation, and real estate matters. Jon regularly represents individuals and organizations in high-stakes civil litigation in federal and state courts and in arbitration tribunals throughout the country. Viewed as a “go to” lawyer in matters involving complex legal issues, Jon serves as a trusted partner to clients, thoroughly analyzing their rights and obligations and helping them develop and execute sound litigation and settlement strategies. Some representative results include:
- Negotiated favorable settlement in nationwide TCPA class action
- Obtained summary judgment in water rights action
- Obtained favorable disposition of Missouri Merchandising Practices Act claim
- Obtained judgment as a matter of law in multi-defendant TIF dispute
- Obtained dismissal of breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty claims brought against a closely held business and its directors and officers and then successfully prosecuted our clients’ counterclaim for attorney’s fees (affirmed on appeal)
- Lead counsel in successful defense of mortgage broker in federal consumer fraud action (affirmed on appeal)
- Obtained $4.1 million arbitration award in commercial dispute after successfully compelling arbitration of dispute across multiple jurisdictions
Insurance Litigation/Arbitration
Experienced in all phases of insurance disputes, Jon counsels insurers and policyholders about coverage under first-party, third-party and reinsurance policies, and vigorously litigates breach of contract, bad faith, vexatious refusal, garnishment and broker liability claims. His cases involve various coverages, including general liability, property and casualty, professional liability, directors and officers, trade credit, errors and omissions, and life insurance. Jon’s insurance practice primarily focuses on bad faith and extra-contractual litigation and involves high-stakes coverage issues, such as in the following representative matters:
- Obtained summary judgment on vexatious refusal claim seeking more than $20 million in damages
- Favorable resolution of carrier’s extra-contractual exposure involving allegations of misconduct by retained defense counsel
- Obtained favorable disposition of declaratory judgment action involving underlying TCPA class action
- Successfully defended $10 million insurance coverage action, obtaining summary judgment for insurer on five separate grounds (affirmed on appeal)
- Obtained favorable settlement for policyholder in “bet the company” multi-jurisdictional dispute with multiple insurers and claimants
Developing Practices
A growing part of Jon’s litigation practice includes white collar criminal defense, in which Jon represents corporations and individuals in government investigations and prosecutions arising from a variety of transactions and circumstances. Jon also has an interest in copyright litigation and election law and is working to develop those practice areas. With respect to copyright, Jon keeps abreast of the latest developments in litigation involving musical and dramatic works—an area to which he brings a unique perspective as a conservatory-trained orchestral conductor and performing musician. Jon’s interest in election law is primarily focused on election contests and counseling sponsors and opponents of statewide initiative petitions in pre- and post-election litigation.
Services and Industries
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Appellate
- Class Action Litigation
- Consumer Products and Services
- E-Discovery
- Environmental
- Insurance Coverage Litigation
- Life, Health, Disability and ERISA Litigation
- Litigation
- Manufacturing and Innovation
- Noncompete and Trade Secrets
- Product Liability
- Ethics and Professional Responsibility
- Real Estate, Development, Construction
- Technology
Education
- William H. Bowen School of Law - University of Arkansas at Little Rock (J.D., high honors, 2010)
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock Law Review, Research Editor
- University of Missouri (M.M., 2003)
- Johns Hopkins University (B.M., 2001)
Admissions
Charitable and Civic Involvement
- Missouri Chamber Music Festival (Board of Directors)
Accolades
- Obtained #5 Judgment or Bench Award in Missouri (2021)
Background
Prior to joining the firm, Jon served as a judicial clerk to Chief Judge Brian S. Miller of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas and to Associate Justice Jim Gunter of the Arkansas Supreme Court. While clerking, Jon assisted with diverse caseloads including criminal matters, complex commercial litigation, insurance coverage litigation, constitutional cases, ERISA matters, ballot initiative and election disputes, consumer protection litigation, class actions, and labor and employment cases.