Biography

Jacob Rhode assists clients with litigation and dispute resolution, helping develop and implement strategies to successfully resolve corporate disputes. He serves as co-leader of the firm's Litigation Group.

Jacob primarily works on complex commercial and financial services litigation and class actions, and also focuses on defending ERISA fiduciary duty and other related claims. He also has experience with shareholder and corporate officer and director disputes, contract and insurance disputes, fraud and business torts, various consumer protection statues, and False Claims Act and qui tam litigation.

Prior to joining KMK, Jacob practiced law with a commercial litigation boutique in Columbus, Ohio, where he represented clients in a variety of complex and high-stakes commercial disputes and class actions.

Representative Work

Defended ERISA fiduciaries in 15-week bench trial against claims seeking over $200 million and arising under ERISA Sections 404, 405, and 406, resulting in a judgment for defendants on all claims

Defended putative class action alleging nuisance by client’s plant, resulting in successful denial of class certification and subsequent settlement

Defended majority shareholder in jury trial against breach of fiduciary duty claim seeking over $30 million, resulting in a judgment for defendant on all claims

Represented large financial institution in ERISA benefits dispute

Defended large financial institution against claims for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and negligence, resulting in summary judgment for defendant on all claims

Defended trustee of residential mortgage backed securities in bench trial against claims seeking approximately $100 million, resulting in judgment for defendant on all claims

Obtained successful judgment on behalf of financial institution lender in adversary proceeding that $1.7 million debt was non-dischargeable under 11 U.S.C. §523

Defended and helped successfully resolve multiple putative class actions against various large insurance companies

Defended putative class action alleging improper and excessive surcharges, resulting in a judgment for defendant that was subsequently affirmed on appeal

Defended institutional trustee against breach of trust claims

Defended and helped successfully resolve multiple putative class actions arising under various consumer protection laws, including FDCPA

Represented large financial institution pursuing claims for breach of financing and guaranty agreements and defending counterclaims for breach of contract and violation of the duty of good faith and fair dealing

Represented owner of closely held corporation pursuing claims for breach of fiduciary duty and breach of close corporation agreement

Defended officers against breach of fiduciary duty claims arising out of $66 million transaction, resulting in dismissal of claims with prejudice

Defended trustees and executors against RICO, breach of fiduciary duty and other state law claims

Professional and Community Involvement

Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber C-Change 2018, Class 13

Cincinnati Bar Association

Ohio State Bar Association

Grow PBPO - Pro Bono Partnership of Ohio, Member

Oyler School, A.P. Hampton Mentoring Program

Awards & Recognition

Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, 2025

Listed in The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, 2022-2024

Named to Ohio Rising Stars, 2019-2022

  • Best Lawyers (Don't Delete)

News & Resources

Speaking Engagements

Blogs

Blog Posts

Admissions

  • Ohio
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Education

J.D., The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, 2012, magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, Managing Editor Ohio State University Law Journal, Evidence Moot Court Team

Mini-M.B.A. Program, Miami University, 2016

B.A., Wheaton College, Illinois, 2009, cum laude

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