Jason J. Blake

Jake’s primary focus is providing his construction clients with start-to-finish legal services. Whether it’s negotiating construction documents, navigating the many pitfalls of “challenged” projects, or being a fierce advocate if and when a dispute arises, Jake has the technical and practical expertise to get the best result for his clients.

Jake is also an experienced commercial litigator and has handled all aspects of complex litigation in state and federal courts, representing clients based in the United States and abroad. He has significant experience at both the trial court and appellate levels.

Jake possesses both the creativity and legal acumen to efficiently solve his clients’ problems. He has ample experience in formal and informal dispute resolution and always strives to find unique solutions that fit his clients’ needs.

Prior to beginning his legal career, Jake served as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Army where he completed two combat tours in Iraq with the 25th Infantry Division.

Honors & Recognitions

• Benchmark Litigation's “40 & Under List," Midwest and Ohio: Construction, White Collar Crime, and Commercial Litigation (2021-2023)
• The Best Lawyers in America^© "Ones To Watch," Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, and Litigation - Construction (2021-2022)
• Ohio Super Lawyers, Ohio Rising Stars (2015-2021)

Education

J.D., cum laude, The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, Chief Articles Editor, Ohio State Law Journal, 2011 

B.A. in History, cum laude, Stetson University, 2003

Experience

General Commercial Litigation

• Successfully defended a foreign government against claims worth over $1 billion in a five-week trial in federal court.
• Obtaining a $27.8 million judgment in a bank fraud proceeding on summary judgment.
• Achieving the dismissal of a complaint for fraud and breach of fiduciary duty against a multinational financial services corporation.
• Obtaining the dismissal of a complaint seeking $10 million for alleged RICO violations.
• Negotiating favorable settlements in numerous collective actions.
• Obtaining summary judgment dismissing an ERISA action against a fund’s former business manager.
• Obtaining appellate reversal of a trial court’s entry of a temporary restraining order in a case involving the sale of a $30 million business.
• Helping a local, small business recover over $1 million in funds stolen by its former president and CEO.
• Obtaining the dismissal of a complaint for breach of contract and recovering over $750,000 for the settlement of the client’s counterclaims against its former supplier.
• Assisting owners and tenants in numerous commercial real estate transactions and disputes.
• Representing owners in administrative proceedings before local tax authorities and the Board of Tax Appeals.
• Representing craft brewers in disputes over distribution rights under the Ohio Alcoholic Beverage Franchise Act.

Construction

• Obtaining over $1 million in unpaid change orders on behalf of a design-builder for a public construction project.
• Avoiding millions of dollars of liquidated damages claimed by the State of Ohio against a client.
• Obtaining a $200,000 judgment against a subcontractor who committed fraud.
• Drafting and negotiating various construction contracts and documents in both public and private projects.
• Assisting project owners and contractors in numerous actions involving lien rights, delay claims, and negligence actions.
• Assisting contractors in assembling and submitting bids for public construction contracts.
• Advising clients on safety regulations and contractual obligations during COVID-19.

Aviation

• Defending aircraft owners and aircraft service providers against accident claims.
• Assisting airports and fixed base operators with various legal needs, including lease agreements, litigation, and other business transactions.
• Assisting aviation maintenance facilities and operators to enforce and protect their lien rights.

Professional & Community

• Builders Exchange of Central Ohio, Member
• Ohio Aviation Association, Member

Publications

Jake is the author of the following articles:

• “Removal: The LLC Problem,” Litigation News, Vol. 17, Issue 2 (Summer 2012)
• “Netflix Imbroglio Illustrates the Risks Securities Firms and Professionals Face from Unregulated Use of Electronic Social Media,” Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP First Alert, Co-Author (December 12, 2012)