Mason Ji
Mason Ji is a litigator who assists clients in complex U.S. cross-border regulatory, criminal, and trade matters and high-stakes commercial litigation.
Informed by his international relations background, Mason advises clients on issues involving U.S. sanctions violations, anti-money laundering (AML) laws, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). He also conducts investigations focusing on a broad range of potential misconducts.
Mason has trial and litigation experience in federal and state courts and before arbitral institutions. His experience spans prelawsuit investigations, depositions, dispositive motion practice, complex discovery campaigns, oral argument, trials, appeals, and post-judgment enforcement.
Mason is a bilingual English and Chinese speaker and a former English-Chinese translator. He utilizes his Chinese language skills and understanding of Chinese society to regularly advise clients on China. Mason is also a lecturer at the University of Washington on international law. He is a former delegate to the United Nations General Assembly, negotiating nuclear disarmament, climate change, and human rights treaties; and a former White House ambassador for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. While in law school, Mason was an executive editor for the Harvard International Law Journal.
Areas of focus
Education & Credentials
Education
- Harvard Law School, J.D., Executive Editor, Harvard International Law Journal, 2021
- University of Oxford, Master of Public Policy, Rhodes Scholar, 2018
- University of Oxford, M.Sc., Global Governance and Diplomacy, Rhodes Scholar, 2017
- Yale University, B.A., Global Affairs and Political Science, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 2016
- Peking University, Certificate, Direct Enrollment, School of International Studies, 2014
Bar and Court Admissions
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Washington
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Related Employment
- University of Washington School of Law, Seattle, WA, Lecturer, 2021-present; Doctoral Committee Member, 2023-present
- Perkins Coie LLP, Seattle, WA, Law Clerk, 2020-2021; Summer Associate, 2019, 2020; 1L Diversity Fellow, 2019
- Global Council for the Sustainable Development Goals, New York, NY, Councilmember, 2018-2021
- United Nations, New York, NY, Consultant, 2018-2020, U.N. General Assembly Delegate, 2013-2015
- Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, Hong Kong SAR, China, Intern, 2019
- White House, Washington, D.C., Ambassador for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, 2015-2016
Additional Languages
- Chinese - Mandarin
Professional Recognition
Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Criminal Defense: White-Collar, 2024
American Bar Foundation, Fellow, 2024
Recognized as one of the 12 lawyers in ABA Journal's annual "Members Who Inspire," 2024
Listed on the "Top 40 Young Lawyers On the Rise" List, American Bar Association, 2023
J. Shan Mullin Annual Community Leadership and Service Award, Perkins Coie, 2022
Listed in Who's Who in America
Impact
Professional Leadership
- Washington State Bar Association Young Lawyers Committee, Chair-Elect, 2023-present; Member, 2023-present
- American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, District Representative for Washington and Oregon, 2023-present
- King County Bar Association, New Lawyers Division, Trustee, 2022-present
- American Bar Association, United States Mission to the United Nations, Alternate Observer, 2022-present
- Council on Foreign Relations Young Professionals Series, Member
Community Involvement
- Hunger Free America, Associate Board Director, 2023-present
- Friends of Bellevue Cross-Cultural Center, Board Director, 2021-present
- Asian Americans for Justice and Equality, Board Director, 2021-present
- Seattle Chinese Radio, Radio Host of “Decoding America,” 2020-present
Insights
News
Professional Experience
Litigation
Lu Xu v. Southport Office EB-5 LP, et al.
King County Superior Court
Defended Motion to Dismiss against an international investor in an EB-5 investment funds dispute.
David Beail v. Thomas Dwyer, Norma Fine, et al.
Snohomish County Superior Court
Represented LLC member in multi-party LLC dispute, settled claims through mediation.
Confidential Client
King County Superior Court
Represented a seller representative in a reverse merger transaction dispute through a multiweek bench trial.
Michelle v. South Correctional Entity, et al.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Defended and helped secure dismissal for healthcare services provider from federal litigation.
Picciano v. NaphCare, Inc., et al.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Defending healthcare services provider in litigation in which plaintiff alleges constitutionally deficient medical care and medical negligence.
Tupperware Brands Corporation v. Holland America Line N.V. and Seabourn Cruise Line Limited
King County Superior Court
Assisted in mediation, dispositive motions practice, and settling breach of contract claims against cruise lines.
GVD Commercial Properties, Inc. v. Red Lion Hotels Corporation
Spokane County Superior Court
Defended and settled breach of contract claims against hotel tenant through mediation.
White Collar & Investigations
OFAC Violations
Assisting clients in navigating applications to OFAC for international sanctions licenses and guidance.
Compliance Advising
Providing advice to clients regarding sanctions compliance and risk factors analysis. Assisting clients in design and enhancement of business ethics and compliance programs.
Confidential Matter
Drafted white paper for client on U.S. and Chinese anti-money laundering, embezzlement, and anti-corruption laws.
International Trade
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Assist clients in completing BEA filings and requirements.