Pilar C. French
Shareholder
frenchp@lanepowell.com
503.778.2170
Areas of Practice
Pilar French focuses her practice in the area of financial services and consumer litigation. As an experienced project manager and Legal Lean Sigma® Yellow Belt, Pilar has been lead counsel on a
variety of matters, including cases involving securities laws and regulations, banking and lender liability, product liability, general commercial disputes and unlawful trade practices. Pilar also happens to be a local musician and provides legal services to Portland’s music industry.
Prior to coming to Lane Powell, Pilar worked as an Assistant Attorney General for the Oregon
Department of Justice. While there, she represented the state in national and local cases involving
enforcement of Oregon’s Unlawful Trade Practices Act, and matters concerning civil rights violations
or claims of discrimination. Professional Experience
Oregon Department of Justice, Assistant Attorney General (Areas of Practice: Unlawful trade
practice enforcement, civil rights litigation and appellate advocacy)
Admitted to Practice
Oregon
Washington
U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Academics and Accreditations
Indiana University (J.D., 1996)
Received Top Papers in Environmental Law and Feminist Jurisprudence
National Administrative Law Moot Court Competition, Finalist and Top Oralist (1995)
Northwestern University (B.A., with honors, 1992)
Legal Lean Sigma® and Project Management — Yellow Belt Certification
Practice Group and Specialty Team Memberships
Business
Business Crisis Management and Emergency Remedies
Fiduciary Litigation
Financial Institutions
Government and Regulatory Relations
Litigation
Mortgage and Consumer Finance
Products Liability and Mass Torts Litigation
Real Estate Litigation
Securities Regulation
Publications
“Residential Trust Deeds and Mortgages; Foreclosure,” Oregon State Bar’s Oregon Statutory Time Limitations Guide (August 2014)
“You always remember your first...,” Oregon Daily Journal of Commerce’s BrieflyLegalPDX Newsletter,
Interviewed (June 23, 2011)
“Looking Out for the Little Guy: Consumer Law Attorneys Say Federal, State Protections Becoming
Increasingly Stronger,” Oregon State Bar Bulletin, Quoted (April 2011)
“Committee tones down bill on consumer protection,” Portland Business Journal (December 2009)
“Or Otherwise,” Oregon Association of Defense Counsel (February 1999)
Speaking Engagements
“Litigating a Contested Foreclosure Case in Oregon,” Foreclosures Seminar (June 4, 2013)
“Key Issues with Litigation Involving Residential Non-Judicial Foreclosures: Lender’s/Trustee’s
Perspective,” Foreclosures Seminar (September 14, 2012)
“Foreclosure Mediation: Complying With Senate Bill 1552,” Oregon Bankers Association Seminar,
Co-presenter (June 15, 2012)
“Handling a Foreclosure Case — The Lender’s Perspective,” Oregon State Bar Association CLE
Seminar (May 17, 2012)
“Enforcing Oregon’s Trust Deed Act: Nonjudicial Foreclosure From the Lender’s Perspective,”
Multnomah Bar Association Seminar (October 27, 2011)
Award and Honors
Named as one of The Best Lawyers in America®, Banking & Finance Litigation (2013-2016)
Professional and Community Activities
Portland Business Alliance, Leadership Portland Class of 2005
Southeast Legal Clinic
Multnomah Bar Association
Member
Board Member, CourtCare Advisory Board
Sellers of Travel Legislative Committee, Co-chairperson (1997-1998)
American Inns of Court (1995-1996, 1999-2005)
Oregon Women Lawyers Society (1999-2000)
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