Mr. Francois has considerable experience with respect to coverage-related issues involving statutory unfair insurance and trade practices, contract disputes, and bad faith. Prior to joining Robinson & Cole, Mr. Francois also gained extensive experience in the areas of commercial litigation and general business matters while working as a commercial litigator with a large firm in Connecticut. He advised clients on matters pertaining to commercial construction disputes, complex commercial issues, business torts, and other general business issues.

Mr. Francois graduated, summa cum laude, from the State University of New York at Buffalo and received his law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law. While in law school, he served as an executive editor of the Connecticut Insurance Law Journal, clerked for the Connecticut Judiciary Committee, and served as a legislative extern for the Office of the Connecticut Governor's Legal Counsel. Following graduation from law school, Mr. Francois served as a law clerk for Judges Thomas A. Bishop and C. Ian McLachlan of the Connecticut Appellate Court.

Mr. Francois is a member the Connecticut Bar Association and the George W. Crawford Black Bar Association and was invited to join the Oliver Ellsworth Inn of Court. Mr. Francois is also a member of the Defense Research Institute’s Commercial Litigation Committee and its D&O and E&O Subcommittees.

Mr. Francois is admitted in Connecticut and New York. He is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court in Connecticut and the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals.

EDUCATION

—	J.D., University of Connecticut School of Law
—	B.A., summa cum laude, State University of New York at Buffalo

PROFESSIONAL & TRADE ASSOCIATIONS

—	Connecticut Bar Association
—	Defense Research Institute, Commercial Litigation Subcommittee on E&O and D&O, seminar chair
—	Connecticut Defense Lawyers Association
—	George W. Crawford Black Bar Association, Board of Directors
—	Oliver Ellsworth Inns of Court