pfrench@lewis-kappes.com

317.639.1210

Practice Areas

Civil Litigation and Trial Practice; Small Business Representation.

Pete French is a trial lawyer with extensive experience in state and federal courts around the United States. Pete represents businesses and individuals who are involved in disputes requiring Court intervention to achieve resolution. Pete has represented clients in Federal Court in several states, including Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Texas, Utah, and California. Pete has represented numerous clients in a variety of contexts, including class actions, intellectual property infringement, employment disputes, real estate development disputes, shareholder disputes, unfair competition cases, breach of contract cases, mortgage foreclosure cases, and personal injury actions. Some examples of Pete's success in representing clients in litigation include:

• Mazza v. Smith et al. (Marion Superior Court 1993) Client obtained punitive damages award in tort action.

• Decatur County Comm'rs v. CIND (US Surf. Trans. Bd 1999) restored rail service to businesses between Indianapolis and Cincinnati.

• American Energy Services v. Elam (S. D. Ind. 2000) obtained for a California business a $2.1 million dollar jury verdict for misappropriation of trade secrets and intellectual property.

• US Midways et al. v. Balcor et al (Marion Sup. Ct. 2004) obtained class action settlement for tenants of Union Station in action alleging misuse of tenant monies and mismanagement.

• Simon Property Group v. Telluride Controls (S. D. Ind. 2005) obtained confidential settlement for client in breach of energy services contract dispute.

• Living Word Missions, Inc. v. Alanar (Sullivan Cir. Ct. 2005) obtained class action settlement for three securities businesses and their officers and directors in a securities class action.

• Hercules Machinery v. Unisto Oy (N.D. Ind. 2006) obtained confidential settlement for Finnish owner of patent and trademarks of construction device.

• Babybacks International v. The Coca-Cola Company (Marion Sup. Ct. 2007) obtained jury verdict in favor of client in case where opposition sought $37 Million.

• Trench Shoring Services of Fl. v. Unisto Oy (C. Dist. Fl. 2007) obtained confidential settlement for Finnish owner of patent and trademarks of construction device.

• Pizza Express v. Pizza Head (S. D. Ind. 2007) obtained a partial summary judgment on behalf of a franchisee finding license agreement in violation of franchise laws, which lead to successful entry of confidential settlement agreement.

• Klipsh v. Prabakor (S. D. Ind. 2007) obtained settlement of trademark infringement claims on behalf of California businesses.

• C&P Coal v. ConSol Energy (C. D. Utah 2007) obtained a confidential settlement for buyer of coal mine in breach of contract action.

• J&G Investments v. Fineline Holdings (N.D. Ohio 2008) obtained partial summary judgment establishing liability in favor of investor for wrongful issuance of stop transfer order that lead to confidential settlement and $250,000 Agreed Judgment.

• InteleCom, Inc. v. Mongello et al. (S. D. Ind. 2008) obtained injunction requiring the return of 1.5 Million shares of company stock.

• FGHI et. al. v. Hoffmeister (Marion Sup. Ct. 2008) obtained $12 Million judgment in favor of client.

Pete's experience in business and intellectual property litigation complements his representation of small and medium size businesses. Pete's business clients include professional organizations, closely held companies, publicly traded companies, and family owned enterprises in many different industries. Pete assists these clients in achieving their planning, operations and transactional goals. Some examples include: entertainment industry professionals, health care professionals and practice groups, real estate development and management companies, restaurateurs, industrial dry-cleaning distributors, construction companies, uniform sales and distribution companies, and telecommunications and internet service providers. Pete recently assisted a client in the successful acquisition of two limited liability companies whose function and purpose will be to own and operate commercial retail malls in Indianapolis.

Education

The College of William and Mary, A.B., Government, Minor in Macro-Economics, 1989.

Tulane University School of Law, J.D., Environmental Law, 1992.

National Institute of Trial Advocacy, 1995.

Bar Admissions

Indiana State Bar, 1992; United States District Court Southern District of Indiana, 1992; United States District Court Northern District of Indiana, 1998; Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, 1998; United States District Court, Western District of Michigan, 2003.

Publications and Presentations

Author and Presenter: Ethics and E-Discovery, Indiana State Bar Association, 2010; Author: The Best Uses of Audio-Visual Media in Trial Exhibits, National Business Institute 2010; Author: Creating Trial Exhibits on a Dime, National Business Institute, 2010; Author: "Damages for the Buyer and Seller: What's It Worth", Indiana Continuing Legal Education Foundation, May 2002; "Issues all Physicians Should Consider in Choosing the Right Practice Options", Indiana University School of Medicine, Orthopedic Residency Group, 1998; "Current Trends in Employment Law", 1997; "Parent Corporation Liability: An Evaluation of the Corporate Veil Piercing Doctrine and its Application to the Toxic Torts Arena", 5 Tulane Environmental Law Journal 605-634, 1992.

Experience

Director, Lewis & Kappes, P.C., 1999 to present; Associate 1992 to 1999.

Affiliations

Member, American Bar Association (Litigation, Commercial, and Law Practice Management), American Trial Lawyer's Association, Federal Bar Association, Indiana Bar Association (Litigation, Business and Environmental), Indianapolis Bar Association.

Pro Bono and Community Activities

Member, Indiana Bar Foundation, 2008-present; Member, Indiana Bar Association Grievance Committee, 2001 to 2008. Penrod Society, 1996 to present (Director, 2009-present; 2007, President, 2006, Fair Chairman, 2005, Artists Chair, 2004, Artists Chair, 2003 Allocations Chair, 2003 Beverage Chair, 2002 Projects Chair). Stacey Toran Foundation, Board of Directors, 2005 - present. Park Tudor School Alumni Board 1994 to 1998 (Treasurer 1996 to 1998); Treasurer, Friends of Karen Freeman Wilson, 2000 to 2001; Graduate, 2002 Leadership and Education Development, Stanley K. Lacy, Leadership Society.

Honors and Awards

AV Peer Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Distinguished Fellow, Indianapolis Bar Association 2010