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• Computer Distributorship Litigation.  Plaintiff’s wholesale computer distributorship was terminated after merger of two leading computer makers.  Plaintiff brought a breach of contract and fraud action against the surviving company seeking damages in excess of $5 million dollars.  (One week jury trial)
  
  
• Pharmaceutical Patent Litigation.  Served as local trial counsel to Defendants in a patent infringement case involving rights to manufacture and sale of DPT vaccine throughout the United States, filed in Federal Court in Harrisburg.  (Three week jury trial)
  
  
• Defense of Certified Public Accountants.  Defended CPA firm against malpractice claims arising from alleged accounting irregularities found during due diligence conducted in connection with the sale of business.  (Six day jury trial).
  
  
• Defense of Private Foundation.  Defended through trial, a philanthropic foundation in suit in which plaintiff sought to force sale of apartment complex owned by the Foundation.
  
  
• Letter of Credit Litigation.  Represented a bank in Federal District Court and on appeal to the Third Circuit.  This case of first impression under the Uniform Commercial Code raised the question of the rights of an issuer of a standby letter of credit who guarantees a real estate development project.  (Published Opinion)
  
  
• Defense of Lender Liability Action. Appeal to the Pennsylvania Superior Court, which ruled that Pennsylvania banks have no duty to give good faith or other reasons for their refusal to make loans to applicants. (Published Opinion)
  
  
• Loan Workout and Foreclosure Litigation.  Successfully represented lenders seeking recovery in excess of $4 million dollars on defaulted commercial loans, including foreclosure on real estate, and enforcement of a lien on private aircraft.
  
  
• Counterfeit Prescription Drug Litigation.  Local counsel to pharmaceutical drug wholesale distributor in defense of claims for breach of warranty and fraud arising in connection with sale of millions of allegedly counterfeit Lipitor® pills throughout the United States.  (Resolved through Mediation).
  
  
• Unfair Competition Between Labor Unions.  Represented plaintiff, a statewide union, in a suit for alleged breach of fiduciary duty and defamation arising from defection of union locals and representatives to a competing statewide union, in which over $10 million in damages were claimed.  The case was appealed to Third Circuit Court of Appeals and a Petition for Certiorari to the United States Supreme Court was filed.  (Published Opinion)
  
  
• Securities Fraud Litigation.  After the SEC discovered a massive securities fraud perpetrated by John Gardner Black and his companies, Mr. French represented, through the trial court and appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals,  four school districts whose collective investment with Black’s companies totaled $20 million.  (Published Opinion)
  
  
• Sale of Drug Store Chain – Fraud and Breach of Contract.  In this Federal Court case, the plaintiffs owned and operated a chain of drug stores located throughout Pennsylvania.  Defendant corporation agreed to purchase the drug store chain for a fixed eight figure price, which was renegotiated to include an “earn-out” measured by the cash flow of the business for an extended period.  Defendant then merged with another publicly held corporation which integrated the business with its other operations, and refused to pay the earn-out.  (Resolved through Mediation).
  
  
• Lost Profit From Delay in Commercial Development.  Represented grocery store chain against K-Mart Corporation in Federal Court action arising from delays in development and construction of shopping center.  Lost profits in excess of $1 million were sought.  (Resolved through Mediation).
  
  
• Control of Trust and Business.  Action for control of trust management and to compel removal of a trustee for self-dealing and incompetence.  The litigation terminated with the sale of an insurance service company whose stock was the primary asset of the trust, resulting in the transfer of control over two insurance companies.
  
  
• Corporate Control Case.  Trial counsel to 50% shareholder in corporate control litigation by owners of historic Bedford Springs Resort.
  
  
• Law Firm Dissolution Disputes. Represented a named shareholder in commercial litigation and bankruptcy of a related business organization arising from dissolution of prominent Philadelphia/Pittsburgh law firm.
  
  
• Public Construction Cases.  Tried multiple cases before the Pennsylvania Board of Claims and in the Courts of Common Pleas involving claims against Commonwealth agencies, municipalities and school districts arising out of road, bridge, airport, and building construction.
  
  
• Government Contracting.  Tried injunction cases before the Commonwealth Court and other courts challenging or defending the government bidding and contracting process, including a challenge to the award of a $4 million contract for computer component systems, and a $2 million contract for construction of municipal water system improvements.
  
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