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Frances Fink

Associate
Austin
About

Frances Fink represents clients in complex commercial litigation, including securities and shareholder litigation, government investigations and enforcement actions, class actions, and intellectual property litigation.

Frances has experience in all phases of litigation, including discovery, motion practice, fact and expert witness preparation, trial, and appeal. She has a demonstrated track record of researching and drafting winning dispositive motions, including motions to dismiss in securities class actions and briefing to defend those judgments on appeal.

Frances served as a law clerk for Associate Justice Natalie Hudson of the Minnesota Supreme Court. 

Areas of FocusBusiness and Commercial LitigationLitigation, Arbitration and InvestigationsCorporate and Securities DisputesClass Actions
Bar AdmissionsMinnesotaTexasWisconsin
CourtsUnited States Court of Appeals for the Fifth CircuitUnited States Court of Appeals for the Seventh CircuitUnited States District Court for the Northern District of TexasUnited States District Court for the Eastern District of TexasUnited States District Court for the Southern District of TexasUnited States District Court for the Western District of TexasUnited States District Court for the District of MinnesotaUnited States District Court for the Eastern District of WisconsinUnited States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
Education

  • J.D., University of Minnesota Law School, 2019
    magna cum laude
    Order of the Coif
    Note & Comment Editor, Minnesota Law Review

  • M.S., Political Science, University of North Texas, 2015
  • B.A., Political Science, University of North Texas, 2014
    summa cum laude

EXPERIENCE

  • Represented a Texas-based software company in SEC investigation, shareholder derivative litigation, and shareholder demands to inspect books and records, and obtained dismissal of securities class action filed in the Western District of Texas related to restatement of financials
  • Represented Texas-based IT management company before the Delaware Supreme Court and obtained ruling that upheld dismissal of a shareholder derivative lawsuit related to a cybersecurity incident
  • Represented aerospace manufacturer and successfully moved to dismiss securities class action filed in the Southern District of New York arising out of a SPAC transaction and led briefing in the Second Circuit that resulted in an order affirming the district court's order granting dismissal with prejudice
  • Obtained dismissal of securities class action filed in the Southern District of New York against officers of a major clothing retailer arising out of restated guidance and led briefing in Second Circuit to defend district court's order granting dismissal with prejudice
  • Obtained dismissal of securities class action filed in the District of Utah against officers of a biotechnology company arising out of alleged misstatements regarding submission of a New Drug Application to the FDA and pursuit of a Biologics License Application
  • Represented officers and directors of a biotechnology company in securities class action filed in the Eastern District of New York arising out of alleged misstatements in materials supporting an IPO and secured favorable resolution after plaintiffs declined to oppose motion to dismiss
  • Represented officers and directors of a Texas-based life insurance company in securities class action and shareholder derivative litigation filed in the Eastern District of Texas, shareholder derivative litigation filed in the Texas Business Court, and litigation to compel inspection of books and records filed in Delaware Chancery Court
  • Represented officers and directors of Texas-based battery manufacturer in a securities class action and shareholder derivative litigation filed in the Southern District of Texas
  • Represented officers and directors of a pharmaceutical company in a securities class action filed in the Southern District of Florida and related shareholder derivative litigation filed in the Western District of Wisconsin arising out of alleged misstatements regarding a clinical trial for a drug to treat COVID-19
  • Represented officers and directors of a biopharmaceutical company in securities class action and shareholder derivative litigation filed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania arising out of alleged misstatements regarding pursuit of a Biologics License Application
  • Represented an EV manufacturer in a securities class action lawsuit filed in the Central District of California related to alleged misstatements regarding a joint venture and a reverse stock split transaction
  • Represented a major global airline in a consumer class action involving allegations of greenwashing
  • Represented beverage manufacturers in trade secret litigation in the Eastern District of Wisconsin and obtained order denying motion for preliminary injunction
  • Represented an AI start-up in trade secret litigation in the Northern District of Illinois
  • Key member of team working with expert witnesses on behalf of social media company in multi-district litigation pending in the Northern District of California and Judicial Council Coordination Proceedings pending in Los Angeles Superior Court

Pro Bono

Frances's pro bono practice focuses on landlord-tenant disputes, including representing tenants in eviction proceedings, rent escrow actions, and eviction expungements. As sole trial counsel on behalf of a defendant tenant in an eviction proceeding, she secured a directed judgment which allowed her client to remain in her home.

Prior Experience

Frances was an associate at another major international law firm prior to joining DLA Piper.

Additional Information

Before pursuing a career as an attorney, Frances was a nationally competitive policy debater and taught high school speech and debate in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Connect

Phone

+1 512 457 7227
(Work, Austin)
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