Aaron French

Missouri

United States District Court for the District of Kansas

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri

United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri

United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois

United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois

United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

Successfully obtained summary judgment for insurance carrier client in the United States District Court-Western District of Missouri after intervening in state court and moving to stay underlying litigation where plaintiff filed suit against insured alleging various tort and negligence claims arising out of a shooting on the insured’s premises.  The federal court granted summary judgment in declaratory judgment suit filed by insurer and declared insurer’s assault and battery sub-limit applied to limit coverage for the underlying litigation.

Obtained judgment on the pleadings enforcing an assault and battery exclusion in a Commercial General Liability Policy in United States District Court-Western Missouri following a lawsuit filed against a bar for claims of negligent supervision and training and negligence relating to an altercation that resulted in bodily injury to a bar patron. Our firm successfully intervened and stayed the underlying state court lawsuit on behalf of our insurer client while simultaneously obtaining a Declaratory Judgment to enforce the exclusion in federal court.

Obtained summary judgment in Missouri state court on issue of whether single vehicle accident which resulted in the drowning of two people triggered multiple occurrences under a Commercial General Liability policy and an additional $1 million in coverage.  The court found in our client’s favor and ruled there was only a single occurrence under the policy and a single $1 million limit of coverage.

Successfully represented insurer in coverage and equitable contribution lawsuit which resulted in settlement where insured paid insurer.

Aaron obtained summary judgment for an insurance carrier in Missouri State Court in a coverage dispute involving a worker’s compensation policy.

Aaron obtained summary judgment on behalf of an insurer in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri. The case involved numerous insureds who were involved in a multi-vehicle accident which left one of the claimants paralyzed. After satisfying the limits on policies, summary judgment was granted due to exhaustion.

In a case of first impression before the Missouri Supreme Court, Aaron obtained a favorable ruling for a client which exempted them from state sales taxes under a federal law prohibiting the imposition of taxes on air commerce or air transportation. The case received both national and local media attention.

After a four-day jury trial in U.S. District Court-Eastern District of Missouri, Aaron obtained a six-figure jury verdict for his client on multiple breach of contract counts relating to the rentals of heavy drilling equipment.

After a three-day bench trial, Aaron obtained a complete defense verdict for his clients, who were alleged to have breached their fiduciary duties as trustees of a homeowners’ association at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Aaron obtained summary judgment in the City of St. Louis for an insurer in a breach of contract and equitable garnishment suit relating to alleged coverage for a third-party claim stemming from a personal injury to a co-employee which resulted in a $750,000 judgment against the alleged insured. The summary judgment was appealed by the opposing party. Aaron handled all aspects of the appeal, including oral argument. The summary judgment was affirmed by the Missouri Court of Appeals.

Aaron obtained summary judgment for an insurer in a declaratory judgment action filed in U.S. District Court-Western District of Missouri regarding whether the insurer properly denied coverage under a claims made and reported employment practices liability policy when the insured failed to provide timely notice of an EEOC charge, which later resulted in a lawsuit.

Aaron assisted in a week-long arbitration hearing under the International Rules of Arbitration, which resulted in a multi-million dollar arbitration award for our client.

American Bar Association

Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis

Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM), sits on the CLM – Extra-Contractual Committee

Defense Research Institute

Diversity Law Institute, Member

Illinois State Bar Association

Lawyer’s Association of St. Louis

Mackrell International, one of the world’s premier networks of independent legal firms.

Missouri Bar Association

Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers

Trial Law Institute, Member

Serves as a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, which is made up of lawyers, judges, law faculty and legal scholars who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the highest principles of the profession and their communities. Only one percent of lawyers licensed to practice in a given jurisdiction are invited to become a member.

Aaron gives back to the community by being involved in the following organizations:

Member of the Knights of Columbus and the Sons of the American Legion

Member of the South St. Louis County Chamber of Commerce

Parishioner of Assumption Catholic Church of Mattese

Mentor for the SLU LAW Pre-law Undergraduate Scholars Program

“Time Limit Demands – Update on Statutes and Problem Jurisdictions
Georgia, Florida & Missouri ” DRI

“Ethical Issues for Defense Counsel in Sharing Information in Tripartite Relationship” DRI

“Negotiation Strategies for Claims Professionals,” Claims & Litigation Management

“Insurer, Adjuster, Agent and Broker Liability: A-Z,” National Business Institute

“Practical Professionalism,” Claims & Litigation Management Alliance Seminar

“Civil Court Procedure and Strategy Boot Camp,” National Business Institute

“Bad Faith: How to Recognize it in Your Case,” National Business Institute

“Bad Faith Claims and Its Impact on Insurance Companies” Partnered with The Knowledge Group

Quoted, “Cyclospora Outbreak May Spur Food Supply Coverage Flights),” Law360 (Sept. 3rd, 2026)

Quoted, “Ga. Tort Overhaul Brings Hope For Stabilized P&C Insurance,” Law360 (July 16th, 2026)

Quoted, “Attorneys’ AI Missteps Strain Malpractice Liability,” Law360 (June 4th, 2026) 

Co-author, “Insurer’s Duties to Defend and Indemnify: Missouri” Westlaw (June 30th, 2025)

Quoted “2nd Circ. Insurer Win Stirs Fears Over Mixed Coverage Claims,” Law360 (October 25, 2023) 

Quoted, “Mich. TCPA Ruling Exposes Carrier Policies, Outreach Practice,” Law360 (June 6, 2023)

Co-author, “Missouri winds of change? New laws hold promise for insurance companies,” Westlaw Practitioners Insight Insurance | Journal Insurance (Thomson Reuters) (March 16, 2018)

Co-author, “Bad Faith and Extra-Contractual Liability in Missouri – It’s Not Just for Bodily Injury Claims Anymore,” CLM Magazine (November 2017)

Quoted, “Lakers’ Loss Gives Insurers Edge in TCPA Coverage Fights,” Law360 (August 24, 2017)

Quoted, “Insurance Cases to Watch in 2017,” Law360 (January 2, 2017)

Regional Author and Editor of the Defense Research Institute Bad Faith Compendium