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Francis R. Powell

Francis R. Powell

Partner

One Financial Center
Suite 3500
Boston, MA 02111
T 617.217.4604
F 617.217.4710
francis.powell@nelsonmullins.com
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Frank represents clients in a range of business disputes, construction litigation, and defense of product liability and personal injury claims. He has previously served as a Special Assistant Attorney General to represent an agency of the Commonwealth in litigation arising from Boston's “Big Dig.” Frank counsels commercial and government clients, regarding litigation strategy, contracting, procurement...

Frank represents clients in a range of business disputes, construction litigation, and defense of product liability and personal injury claims. He has previously served as a Special Assistant Attorney General to represent an agency of the Commonwealth in litigation arising from Boston's “Big Dig.” Frank counsels commercial and government clients, regarding litigation strategy, contracting, procurement and risk management.

 

Francis R. Powell

and risk management.

 

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Recent Representative Cases

  • Barletta Heavy Division, Inc. v. International Paint, LLC, et al., C.A. No. 1782CV0104 (Norfolk County Superior Court, January 18, 2024) (jury verdict for defense)  
  • Starr Cap. Partners, LLC v. Toll Bros., Inc., 101 Mass. App. Ct. 1123 (2022)
  • Endicott Constructors Corp. v. E. Amanti & Sons, Inc., No. 1:14-CV-12807-LTS, 2017 WL 3028877 (D. Mass. July 14, 2017)
  • Menard v. CSX Transportation, Inc., 3:11-cv-30161-MGM (D. Mass., October 2, 2015) (jury verdict for defense)  
  • Perini Corp. v. Massachusetts Highway Dep’t, 85 Mass. App. Ct. 1127 (2014)
  • Massachusetts Highway Dep’t v. Perini Corp., 83 Mass. App. Ct. 96 (2013)
  • Scott v. Garfield, 454 Mass. 790 (2009)

Previous Professional Experience

  • Partner at a Boston law firm with an emphasis in business litigation and products liability defense (2008–2012)
  • Attorney at a large Boston law firm where he practiced in the areas of general commercial litigation, tort litigation, employment lawsuits, and premises liability (1998–2008)
    • Defended personal injury and wrongful death toxic tort claims brought in more than 15 states
    • Represented a local institution in the defense of multiple clergy abuse claims
    • Also engaged in the management of legislative and public affairs issues and served as a registered lobbyist for a national industry trade group from 2001 to 2008
  • Paralegal and law clerk, Public Corruption Unit of the United States Attorney's Office in Boston (1994–1998)
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Recent Representative Cases

  • Barletta Heavy Division, Inc. v. International Paint, LLC, et al., C.A. No. 1782CV0104 (Norfolk County Superior Court, January 18, 2024) (jury verdict for defense)  
  • Starr Cap. Partners, LLC v. Toll Bros., Inc., 101 Mass. App. Ct. 1123 (2022)
  • Endicott Constructors Corp. v. E. Amanti & Sons, Inc., No. 1:14-CV-12807-LTS, 2017 WL 3028877 (D. Mass. July 14, 2017)
  • Menard v. CSX Transportation, Inc., 3:11-cv-30161-MGM (D. Mass., October 2, 2015) (jury verdict for defense)  
  • Perini Corp. v. Massachusetts Highway Dep’t, 85 Mass. App. Ct. 1127 (2014)
  • Massachusetts Highway Dep’t v. Perini Corp., 83 Mass. App. Ct. 96 (2013)
  • Scott v. Garfield, 454 Mass. 790 (2009)

Previous Professional Experience

  • Partner at a Boston law firm with an emphasis in business litigation and products liability defense (2008–2012)
  • Attorney at a large Boston law firm where he practiced in the areas of general commercial litigation, tort litigation, employment lawsuits, and premises liability (1998–2008)
    • Defended personal injury and wrongful death toxic tort claims brought in more than 15 states
    • Represented a local institution in the defense of multiple clergy abuse claims
    • Also engaged in the management of legislative and public affairs issues and served as a registered lobbyist for a national industry trade group from 2001 to 2008
  • Paralegal and law clerk, Public Corruption Unit of the United States Attorney's Office in Boston (1994–1998)

Media

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Recognitions

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

Professional Activities

  • Co-Chair, Insurance Law Committee, Boston Bar Association (2010–2012)
  • American Bar Association

Community

  • Professional Basketball Player, Germany (1993)
  • Captain of the Irish National Basketball Team (1991–1998)
  • Co-Chair, St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Celebration (2009, 2011); Young Leaders Committee (2005–present),  American Ireland Fund
  • Board of Directors, Sport Changes Life Foundation (2010–present)
    • Serves on board of nonprofit organization designed to provide deserving American students with scholarships to pursue graduate degrees abroad while providing local community support and outreach efforts to at risk youth
  • Board of Directors, Hingham Girls Basketball Association, (2022-present)

Frank represents clients in a range of business disputes, construction litigation, and defense of product liability and personal injury claims. He has previously served as a Special Assistant Attorney General to represent an agency of the Commonwealth in litigation arising from Boston's “Big Dig.” Frank counsels commercial and government clients, regarding litigation strategy, contracting, procurement... and risk management.

 

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Recent Representative Cases

  • Barletta Heavy Division, Inc. v. International Paint, LLC, et al., C.A. No. 1782CV0104 (Norfolk County Superior Court, January 18, 2024) (jury verdict for defense)  
  • Starr Cap. Partners, LLC v. Toll Bros., Inc., 101 Mass. App. Ct. 1123 (2022)
  • Endicott Constructors Corp. v. E. Amanti & Sons, Inc., No. 1:14-CV-12807-LTS, 2017 WL 3028877 (D. Mass. July 14, 2017)
  • Menard v. CSX Transportation, Inc., 3:11-cv-30161-MGM (D. Mass., October 2, 2015) (jury verdict for defense)  
  • Perini Corp. v. Massachusetts Highway Dep’t, 85 Mass. App. Ct. 1127 (2014)
  • Massachusetts Highway Dep’t v. Perini Corp., 83 Mass. App. Ct. 96 (2013)
  • Scott v. Garfield, 454 Mass. 790 (2009)

Previous Professional Experience

  • Partner at a Boston law firm with an emphasis in business litigation and products liability defense (2008–2012)
  • Attorney at a large Boston law firm where he practiced in the areas of general commercial litigation, tort litigation, employment lawsuits, and premises liability (1998–2008)
    • Defended personal injury and wrongful death toxic tort claims brought in more than 15 states
    • Represented a local institution in the defense of multiple clergy abuse claims
    • Also engaged in the management of legislative and public affairs issues and served as a registered lobbyist for a national industry trade group from 2001 to 2008
  • Paralegal and law clerk, Public Corruption Unit of the United States Attorney's Office in Boston (1994–1998)

Education

  • Suffolk University Law School, JD, magna cum laude (1998)
    • Honors, National Sports Law Moot Court Team
    • Member, Suffolk University Law Review
  • College of the Holy Cross, BA, Political Science (1993)

Admissions

  • Massachusetts
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Practice Areas

Industries

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • Co-Chair, Insurance Law Committee, Boston Bar Association (2010–2012)
  • American Bar Association
  • Professional Basketball Player, Germany (1993)
  • Captain of the Irish National Basketball Team (1991–1998)
  • Co-Chair, St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Celebration (2009, 2011); Young Leaders Committee (2005–present),  American Ireland Fund
  • Board of Directors, Sport Changes Life Foundation (2010–present)
    • Serves on board of nonprofit organization designed to provide deserving American students with scholarships to pursue graduate degrees abroad while providing local community support and outreach efforts to at risk youth
  • Board of Directors, Hingham Girls Basketball Association, (2022-present)