Morgan Lewis

Jillian Harris

Associate

Jillian Harris’s practice focuses on securities-related investigations and litigation, as well as complex commercial litigation. She represents clients in proceedings brought by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the US Department of Justice (DOJ). Jillian also has experience in all phases of litigation, from pre-trial strategy and assessment, to successfully arguing evidentiary and dispositive motions, to trial. Her experience also includes negotiating out-of-court settlements. Jillian serves on Morgan Lewis’s Pro Bono Committee.

Select Matters

  • Representation of a former CFO of a financial technology company in a SEC investigation of the company’s calculation and reporting of its investor returns (settled with SEC on more favorable terms following Wells Submission).
  • Obtained a complete victory after a week-long trial on behalf of a reinsurance brokerage client, achieving the dismissal of tortious interference claim through a motion for nonsuit.
  • Successfully moved to dismiss state law-based claims bought against a large health care company in an Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) class action challenging the application of the church plan exemption to the company’s retirement benefit plans.
  • Assisted in obtaining the dismissal of a $55 million lawsuit in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.
  • Coordinated with Texas Appleseed to establish asset forfeiture defense services for low-income clients.

Education

  • University of Texas at Austin School of Law, 2013, J.D.
  • University of Texas at Austin, 2009, Bachelor of Journalism, High Honors

Admissions

  • Texas
  • US District Court for the Northern District of Texas
  • US District Court for the Southern District of Texas
  • US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas

Awards and Affiliations

Member, Dallas Bar Association

Member, University of Texas School of Law Dallas Young Alumni Steering Committee

Member, Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce

Associate, The Patrick E. Higginbotham American Inn of Court

Chief Articles Editor, Texas Intellectual Property Law Journal 

Publications

6/5/2019 - SEC Demonstrates Flexibility and Engagement at FinTech Forum, All Things FinReg

10/31/2018 - SEC Issues Report on Cyber Fraud Against Public Companies, Internal Control Requirements

2018 - Class and collective actions in the United States Overview (2018), Thomson Reuters

2/15/2018 - SEC Steps on the Gas to Deter Fraudulent ICOs, All Things FinReg

1/25/2018 - SEC’s New Message to the Cryptocurrency Market: Take the Lead, but Proceed with Caution, All Things FinReg

2017 - Class/Collective Actions in the United States: Overview, Practical Law

 

March 2017 - Defending Against a Civil Asset Forfeiture Case in Texas