Source: https://www.bestlawyers.com/lawyers/francis-a-citera/52365
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 00:30:39+00:00

Document:
Francis A. Citera is Co-Chair of the firm's Products Liability & Mass Torts Litigation Group and Co-Chair of the Chicago Litigation Practice. Frank has 30 years of experience defending purported class actions, toxic tort actions, and other complex litigation in both federal and state courts. He has tried many cases, including an action by the Government to enforce a unilateral administrative order, an allocation case among potentially responsible parties, and a complex product liability, wrongful death case. Frank is also an experienced appellate lawyer, having argued many appeals in state and federal appellate courts. Additionally, Frank has substantial experience in bankruptcy litigation, having represented debtors-in possession in a broad range of disputes, as well as lenders, landlords, and trade creditors in bankruptcy litigation matters.
Frank also counsels clients on risk management and product safety matters for both consumer and industrial products. In this capacity, he has been responsible for matters pending before various federal and state agencies and committees regulating the importation and sale of goods in the United States, including the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Food and Drug Administration, the United States House Energy and Commerce Committee, the State of California Department of Justice and the Illinois Attorney General's office. In connection with these efforts, Frank also has counseled clients on crisis management and crisis communications. He has participated in a briefing before the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce and its Subcommittee on Oversights and Investigations regarding the safety of certain products intended for children. Frank has written and spoken extensively on class action litigation, product safety issues and claims for medical monitoring.
Represented defendant on claims of the government for a mandatory injunction to implement the remedy for the Lower Fox River and Green Bay Superfund site tried December 2012, and for recovery of costs and natural resource damages. United States v. NCR Corp., 76 Env’t Rep. Cas. (BNA) 2163 (E.D. Wis. May 1, 2013), appeals pending, No. 13-2436 (7th Cir.).
Represented defendant and counterclaim plaintiff in Superfund allocation case for the Lower Fox River and Green Bay Superfund site tried February 2012. Appleton Papers Inc. v. Geo. A. Whiting Paper Co., No. 2:08-cv-16-WCG (E.D. Wis. judgment entered June 25, 2013, appeals pending, No. 13-2447 (7th Cir.).
Represented Sears, Roebuck & Co. both before the Supreme Court of Mississippi and the U. S. Court of Appeal for the Fifth Circuit. In Learmonth v. Sears, Roebuck and Co., 710 F.3d 249 (5th Cir. 2013) the Fifth Circuit affirmed the constitutionality of Mississippi's $1 million statutory cap on noneconomic damages.
Represented Sears, Roebuck & Co. in an argument before the Supreme Court of Illinois. Plaintiffs sought to apply Illinois law to the issues of liability and damages in an action involving an allegedly defectively-designed riding lawn tractor. The Court reviewed the choice-of-law analysis to be applied in a tort case in Illinois, concluding that the law of Michigan, as the state where plaintiffs resided and where the injury occurred, governed the conflicting issues presented. Townsend v. Sears Roebuck & Co., 227 Ill.2d 147 (2007).
Represented Sears, Roebuck & Co. in a series of putative class actions pending in state and federal courts. Plaintiffs allege that Sears deceptively marketed and labeled its proprietary line of Craftsman tools as "Made in USA" when, in fact, some of these tools contained significant foreign components. On March 23, 2012, the Honorable John F. Grady denied plaintiff’s motion to certify a class of Florida consumers for claims under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and Florida’s unjust enrichment common law. This is the fourth time that the Court has refused to certify a class of consumers in these MDL proceedings. In re Sears, Roebuck & Co. Tools Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation. In two related actions, the Appellate Court of Illinois affirmed the dismissal of two putative class actions seeking compensatory and injunctive relief with respect to the plaintiffs' purchase of various Craftsman brand tools. Baumann v. Sears Roebuck & Company (October 3, 2008).
In Santamarina v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., No. BC326946 (Los Angeles County November 30, 2012), a related action, the trial court denied Plaintiffs' motion for class certification, finding that Plaintiffs' putative class was not sufficiently ascertainable and was impermissibly overbroad.
Served on the national counsel for two manufacturers in a series of class action lawsuits that have been filed against manufacturers, suppliers, vendors and lessors of wireless handheld telephones, those who provide wireless services for such devices, and two trade associations. In Farina v. Nokia, et al., the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed the dismissal of plaintiff's putative class action, concluding that plaintiff's claims are preempted by the FCC's radio frequency regulations. No. 08-4034 (October 22, 2010).
Represented Gaming Partners International USA, Inc. ("GPI") in an action for breach of contract. Plaintiff alleged that GPI breached its contract by failing to prepay for cloth used for gaming layouts. GPI filed a counterclaim, alleging that plaintiff failed to deliver cloth that was ordered and purchased by GPI and failed to replace defective cloth in a timely manner. Shortly after trial commenced and following cross-examination of the plaintiff's president, the Judge dismissed plaintiff's claims against GPI and entered judgment in favor of GPI on its counterclaim.
Represented Husky Injection Molding Systems, Ltd., the world's largest supplier of injection molding equipment and services to the plastics industry. On October 13, 2006, the Court of Common Pleas, County of Summit, Ohio, granted Husky's motion for summary judgment in a wrongful death action. In so holding, the Court agreed with Husky's argument that it adequately warned of the risks associated with the operation of a plastic injection molding press manufactured by Husky.
Brought suit on behalf of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and others to enjoin the City of Chicago, the Chicago Park District and the FAA from closing Meigs Field, an airport located in the City of Chicago. AOPA sought to compel the FAA to prepare an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement regarding the closure of Meigs Field.
Supervised the resolution of the compensatory damages portion of one of the largest product liability class actions (Salmonella victims) certified in the United States.

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