Related Practices

Admitted to Practice

Washington
U.S. District Court Western District of Washington
U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit

Rebecca J. Francis

Associate

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Seattle

T206.757.8285

F206.757.7285

Becky Francis focuses her practice on complex civil litigation, with an emphasis on class action defense and appellate law. She represents clients from a broad range of industries, including internet services, leisure travel, financial services, and health care. Becky has hands-on experience in a wide variety of matters, including consumer and employment class actions, complex contract disputes, shareholder and derivative lawsuits, antitrust litigation, trust and estate matters, and First Amendment and civil rights cases.

Representative Experience

In re: Processed Egg Products Litigation

Defending regional producer of shell eggs and egg products in consolidated nationwide antitrust litigation. (Ongoing)

Minnick et al. v Clearwire US, LLC

Representing wireless communications company in putative nationwide class action challenging early termination fees as unlawful and asserting deceptive advertising claims. Motion to dismiss granted. Currently on appeal to the 9th Circuit, with pending certified question before the Washington State Supreme Court. 636 F.3d 534 (9th Cir. 2011) (Ongoing)

Schmidt v. State of Alaska

Successfully established a property tax exemption violates the equal protection rights of same-sex domestic partners under Alaska law. Obtained summary judgment against state and municipality. Currently on appeal. (Ongoing)

Apilado v. NAGAAA

Successfully established First Amendment affirmative defense for the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance against claim that Washington state's public accommodations laws were violated by enforcing a rule limiting the number of heterosexuals who can play on a team. 792 F. Supp.2d 1151 (W.D. Wash. 2011)

Gossen v. JPMorgan Chase Bank

Obtained dismissal of TILA and RESPA claims stemming from loan origination based on FDIC Purchase and Assumption Agreement and federal holder-in-due course status. Likewise obtained dismissal of 14 separate post-foreclosure claims allegedly stemming from the Deed of Trust Act (RCW 61.24) as waived by the foreclosure sale or otherwise meritless. __F. Supp.2d__2011 WL 4939828 (W.D. Wash., 2011)

Jadeja v. Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc.

Represented nation's largest vendor of automated red-light traffic cameras in California class action in the Northern District of California, where plaintiffs allege that contract between Redflex and California cities violates California's Unfair Competition law. The court granted Redflex's motion to dismiss, and plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed their claims without seeking further amendment. 764 F. Supp. 2d 1192 (N.D. Cal. 2011)

Keating v. City of Chicago

Represented nation's largest vendor of automated red-light traffic cameras in Illinois class action alleging violations of the Illinois constitution and seeking restitution for unjust enrichment. Case voluntarily dismissed in response to legal analysis presented to plaintiffs' counsel, and without discovery. (2011)

Additional Qualifications

Law Clerk, Hon. Warren Matthews and Hon. Morgan Christen, Alaska Supreme Court
Summer Associate, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
Judicial Extern, Hon. Ann Schindler, Washington State Court of Appeals, Division One

Professional Recognition

Named as one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" in Commercial Litigation (Washington) by Chambers USA, 2012
Selected to “Washington Rising Stars,” Thomson Reuters, 2012

Education

J.D., University of Washington School of Law, with high honors
- Order of the Coif
- CALI Award, Constitutional Law
- Managing Editor, Washington Law Review
M.A., English, University of Alberta
- Merit-Based Graduate Internship Tuition Scholarship
Honors B.A., English, Northwestern University, magna cum laude
- Phi Beta Kappa Society
- Vice President, Alpha Phi International Fraternity