Byron Francis is a partner in the firm’s St. Louis office and is a member of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group. He has extensive experience in a wide variety of commercial litigation matters, including construction, real estate, securities, tax, public utilities and environmental litigation.
Construction. Byron serves contractors, material suppliers, design professionals and owners. Much of his work includes the presentation and defense of claims involving mechanics liens and contract disputes. His experience extends to conflicts associated with project delays, cost overruns, defective design and workmanship and surety claims.
Real Estate. For municipalities, sellers, purchasers, landlords, tenants, banks and title companies, Byron counsels in a wide range of real estate disagreements in state and federal courts. His trial experience in this area includes precedent-setting cases involving inverse condemnation, equitable liens and breaches of covenants in commercial leases.
Public Utilities. Byron represents utilities and intervenors in rate and service complaint proceedings before the Missouri Public Service Commission.
Securities. In state and federal courts and before FINRA, Byron aides investment firms and brokers in fiduciary misconduct cases and in matters under Section 11, 12 and 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1993; Rule 10(b)-5, Sections 13(b) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and provisions under the Commodity Exchange Act and the Investment Advisors Act and Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
Taxes. In the field of state and local taxation, Byron represents individuals and companies in a variety of real and personal property tax matters as well as in income and sales taxation issues. He has successfully handled Hancock Amendment cases, and has represented taxpayers in a variety of state and local tax disputes from local Boards of Equalization all the way to the Supreme Court of Missouri.
Environmental and Future Energy. Byron guides corporate clients in environmental compliance regulations and in resolving environmental disputes. His experience includes representation before the Missouri Hazardous Waste Management Commission, the Missouri Air Conservation Commission, the Missouri Clean Water Commission, the Illinois EPA and the Missouri Administrative Hearing Commission.