Jonathan Causey

OVERVIEW

Introduction

Jonathan (“Jon”) Causey is the Managing Partner of Causey & Ye Law, P.L.L.C., where he represents clients in high-stakes civil litigation, criminal defense, immigration, and appellate matters. His practice spans complex personal injury and wrongful death cases, commercial and cross-border disputes, fraud and asset recovery, and serious criminal defense, including federal crimes, white-collar offenses, and human trafficking cases.

Jon also provides comprehensive immigration representation before USCIS, EOIR, and federal courts, and regularly handles state, federal, and immigration appeals. Known for his strategic advocacy and trial experience, Jon has secured multimillion-dollar judgments and settlements while successfully defending clients against aggressive government prosecution.

Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Jon earned his B.B.A. in Banking & Finance, with a minor in Economics, from Mississippi State University. Prior to practicing law, he founded and managed an insurance agency serving over 1,000 clients, holding multiple state insurance licenses as well as Series 6 and 63 securities licenses. He earned his Juris Doctor, with Honors, from Mississippi College School of Law.

Legal Practice and Industry Focus
Jon’s practice includes:

Civil & Commercial Litigation (Personal injury, wrongful death, commercial and business disputes, fraud, asset recovery, and cross-border litigation.)
Criminal Defense (State and federal felony defense, white-collar crimes, human trafficking, drug offenses, and complex criminal litigation.)
Immigration Law (Removal defense, asylum, waivers, and federal immigration litigation.)
Appellate Advocacy (State and federal appeals, including immigration appeals.)
Family Law (Divorce, custody disputes, and domestic violence matters, including cases involving international and cross-border assets.)

Jon has built a reputation for handling complex, high-risk cases with significant legal and financial exposure. His experience includes securing multi-million-dollar civil judgments, obtaining dismissals of serious criminal charges, and resolving matters involving international parties and assets.

He is particularly recognized for his work at the intersection of international business, cross-border litigation, and criminal defense, and for representing clients in matters involving foreign contracts, overseas evidence, and multi-jurisdictional enforcement.

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ACHIEVEMENTS & HIGHLIGHTS

Selected to Rising Stars by Super Lawyers (2021–2024)
National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys, Top 10 Under 40 (2017)
Recognized as a Top-Rated Business Litigation Attorney
International Community Leadership Award (2016)
US-China Business Leadership Award

Professional & Community Affiliation

Co-Chair, Bench and Bar Committee, Polk County Bar Association
Member, Iowa Association for Justice
Member, Iowa State Bar Association
Member, Minnesota State Bar Association
Member, Iowa Supreme Court Grievance Commission
Barrister, C. Edwin Moore Inns of Court
Criminal Justice Act Panel, Southern District of Iowa
Former Vice President & Board Member, Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking

Case Highlights

Civil & Commercial Litigation

Jonathan Causey represented a multinational trading company from China that owned a Delaware LLC holding a multi-million-dollar warehouse in Iowa. The company was sued in an Iowa district court by a Texas corporation—its lessee—based on an alleged breach of a Chinese contract containing an arbitration clause. Importantly, this contract had been executed years before our client acquired any ownership interest in the Iowa warehouse. The Texas corporation escalated the dispute by filing a mechanic’s lien against the warehouse and moving for attachment. Causey & Ye Law successfully defeated and removed the lien. We further attacked the pleadings on the grounds of lack of subject matter jurisdiction, lack of personal jurisdiction, and forum non convenient. In addition, we moved for and were granted forcible entry and detainer against the Texas corporation with respect to its continued occupancy of the Iowa warehouse. Through strategic litigation and negotiation, the case was ultimately resolved by a successful settlement. All further litigation was dismissed with prejudice, and the warehouse transaction was completed without hindrance. Our team continues to provide ongoing legal support for this client’s U.S. operations across multiple areas. This matter is just one example of how Causey & Ye Law effectively handles and wins complex international disputes and cross-border litigation.

Lead trial attorney in Johnson County EB-5 fraud case, winning $140,000 compensatory and $400,000 punitive damages.

Secured a $1.35 million settlement for an individual struck by a dump truck.

Forced settlement in a Minnesota wrongful death / rideshare case of first impression; won a $7M+ default judgment and transcribed it to China for enforcement.

Won a substantial payout in a civil assault case by uncovering a hidden admission in medical records, defeating the defendant’s self-defense claim.

Alongside co-managing partner Yangyidi Ye, secured full policy-limit settlement for four international clients in a Yellowstone car accident case.

Won $460,000 summary judgment against a Mid-west steel company for a Chinese corporate client.

Won summary judgment in Minnesota federal court against an insurance company in a product liability case tied to Amazon sales.

Represented a multimillion-dollar Iowa ag-tech company in federal litigation against a Fortune 500 corporation.

Recovered $500,000 for a Minnesota company in a wire transfer dispute with a Washington company.

Vacated an Iowa custody order by enforcing a prior Chinese custody order under UCCJEA.

Criminal Defense

Got 14 counts of embezzlement dismissed by proving false accusations and tax manipulation.

Won federal acquittal for a client charged with felon in possession of a firearm tied to an alleged gang shooting.

Defended five clients charged in MINE Drug Task Force cases, achieving favorable outcomes.

Secured dismissal of over a dozen human trafficking cases tied to MINE investigations, and recovered seized property, including unfreezing accounts.

Pre-trial dismissal of two Class A Felonies for Human Trafficking: Jon argued the State could not prove the essential elements of the crimes. The Judge agreed, dismissing both cases, sparing his client two life sentences without parole.

Defended multiple human trafficking and prostitution profit cases in Minnesota; secured return of $100,000+ in seized funds.

Defended a Boston client in a multi-state prostitution profit case; secured release from custody and probation.

Defended a client accused of child abuse causing injury (10-year felony); the State dismissed after failing to prove its case.

Immigration & Family

Won asylum cases in Omaha, NE and Fort Snelling, MN immigration courts.

Secured millions in divorce property distributions in Minnesota and Iowa, including international cases with cross-border assets.