Frank Langfitt, Chair of Ater Wynne’s Litigation Department, focuses his practice in a variety of litigation and client consultation areas, including business and commercial disputes, business torts, insurance coverage issues, casualty/product liability cases and environmental cases. Frank also provides consultation relating to various insurance coverage issues including coverage for intellectual property, directors and offices, casualty, environmental and health insurance. He has provided advice and spoken on risk issues relating to e-business.
Frank has tried many tort and business cases in federal and state courts, representing both plaintiffs and defendants.
Recent matters have included business relationship disputes, including supplier relations in the high tech electronics area; distributor, contract and real estate disputes; and a wide variety of insurance coverage consultation and litigation, including issues relating to environmental claims, punitive damages, contract-tort coverage distinctions, intellectual property, directors and officers, business disputes and health insurance.
Frank has served as Ater Wynne’s Administrative Partner, on the firm's Management Comittee, and currently as Litigation Department Chair. He is listed in Best Lawyers in America for his expertise in Commercial Litigation and Product Liability Litigation.
Professional Experience
- Ater Wynne LLP, Portland, Oregon, Partner, 1982 to present; Associate, 1979 to 1981
- Sole practitioner, Portland, Oregon, 1978 to 1979
- Fellows, McCarthy, Zikes, Kayser & Langfitt, Partner, 1977; Associate, 1973 to 1976
Education
- University of Oregon, J.D., 1973
- Stanford University, B.A., 1969
Admitted to Practice
- Oregon, 1973
- U.S. District Court, Oregon
- Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
- District of Columbia Court of Appeals
Professional Activities
- American Bar Association, Litigation, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Tort/Insurance Sections
- Oregon State Bar, Sections on Litigation, Environmental and Natural Resources, Business
- Multnomah Bar Association, Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, 1994 to 1997
- Oregon Association of Defense Counsel
Community Activities
- Northwest Business Committee for the Arts, Board Member, 1997 to 2000
- Boys and Girls Aid Society Board of Directors; President, 1996 to 1997
- Volunteer Lawyers Project North/Northeast Legal Clinic
- Campaign for Equal Justice, Board Member, 1997 to present; Large Firm Committee Chair, 1996 and 1997; Board Chair, 2010 to present
Representative Matters
- Eleven-day federal jury trial to verdict involving fraud and warranty claims relating to computer-controlled tool systems sold internationally. Settled on appeal.
- Successful resolution of federal insurance coverage case for client who was subject to punitive damages judgment from earlier case.
- Eleven-week trial concluding in favorable settlement to clients of environmental insurance coverage action.
- Defense of class action (estimated 400 members) toxic tort, nuisance and trespass claims. Successfully opposed class certification; subsequent favorable settlement of eight related lawsuits filed on behalf of approximately 40 plaintiffs.
- Successful trial to verdict for client facing business tort claims, including conversion, in international shipments, and preservation of award on appeal.
- Successful resolution of insurance coverage case for client facing class action claims for product liability and unfair business practices.
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