Francis J. Acott

Francis’ experience includes:

• Securing dismissal (affirmed on appeal) for a major technology company of a putative consumer class action alleging UCL and CLRA claims regarding alleged vulnerabilities in mobile device processors.  (N.D. Cal.)
• Securing dismissal (currently on appeal) for a major technology company of a consumer class action challenging their repair practices and policies. (Cal. Super. Ct.)
• Currently defending corporate officer and director in securities fraud litigation. (N.D. Cal.)
• Successfully defending against a consumer class action arising out of a criminal attack on Facebook’s web platform. Latham defeated the UCL and contract claims to narrow the case to a negligence action, then defeated class certification on a US$6 billion damages claim. The parties reached a no-damages settlement. (N.D. Cal.)
• Currently defending a major social media company in a putative consumer class action alleging UCL and fraud claims about advertising reach estimates. (N.D. Cal.)
• Currently defending a major social media company in a putative class action alleging unfair competition claims related to digital advertising. (S.D. Ill.)
• Currently defending a major international search platform and photo-editing app developer in a putative class action regarding alleged privacy violations. (N.D. Cal.)
• Currently defending a major social media company in putative class actions alleging BIPA violations. (N.D. Cal., S.D. Ill.)
• Currently defending a data analytics company in a consumer class action alleging privacy claims related to the collection of data through software tools. (N.D. Cal.)
• Achieving dismissal for Pindrop Security alleging novel privacy claims under the California Information Privacy Act regarding fraud detection software. Latham filed a strong motion to dismiss and simultaneously pressed Plaintiff’s counsel to dismiss based on the factual inaccuracies in their complaint. They voluntarily dismissed the night before hearing. (N.D. Cal.)
• Defended major global bank in multi-district litigation alleging aiding and abetting and other claims related to one of the largest-ever Ponzi schemes, including defeating class certification (N.D. Tex.)*
• Defended major U.S. bank in multi-district and international litigation related to the alleged manipulation of LIBOR, EURIBOR, and other interest rate benchmarks (S.D.N.Y.)*
• Defended major U.S. bank against Section 11 and 12 claims in securities class action related to Wilmington Trust Bank (D. Del.)*
• Represented major pharmaceutical company in litigation related to foundational biotechnology patents (N.D. Cal.)*

*Matter handled prior to joining Latham