Erin D. French

Erin is a partner in the Vorys Cincinnati office and a member of the litigation group.  She has ten years of experience litigating complex commercial, general business and employment matters in state and federal courts.  She also represents clients in a variety of administrative proceedings.  Erin’s experience includes matters relating to patent infringement, products liability, shareholder disputes, corporate governance, contracts, banking, insurance, environmental claims, public records, education, disabilities and employment disputes, including harassment, discrimination, retaliation and non-compete agreements.

In addition to her litigation practice, Erin regularly counsels businesses in employment matters, including legal compliance, employee discipline and terminations, review and development of policies and practices, and employment contracts.  She regularly performs investigations of and responds to employment administrative charges on behalf of employer clients.

Erin also has significant experience in matters unique to colleges and universities, including faculty, staff and student issues.  She has particular expertise in Title IX and is a certified Title IX investigator by the Association of Title IX Administrators.

Erin has been recognized by her peers for her work in litigation and employment, being named repeatedly to Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars and The Best Lawyers in America ‘Ones to Watch.’

Career highlights include:

• Serves as outside counsel to private Ohio college
• Obtained summary judgment on Section 1981 discrimination claim on behalf of a national grocery retailer in federal court
• Obtained emergency appointment of receiver on behalf of a large financial institution in order to preserve more than $20 million in collateral assets throughout the country
• Successfully prosecuted a public records mandamus action against an Ohio agency resulting in the production of hundreds of thousands of requested public records
• Prevailed on two briefs in the Tenth District Court of Appeals to set aside a magistrate’s orders on behalf of relator in a public records mandamus action
• Obtained Rule 12(b)(6) dismissal of a complaint for breach of contract, tortious interference with contract and business relations, civil conspiracy and civil aiding and abetting on behalf of a national telecommunications company in state court
• Successfully defended a global manufacturing company against environmental-related common law claims by the State of Ohio claiming hundreds of millions in damages
• Successfully defended and resolved disability discrimination and website accessibility case against an Ohio public university in federal court in which the Department of Justice intervened
• Successfully prosecuted and resolved significant breach of contract dispute on behalf of an Ohio bank alleging over $6 million in damages in federal court
• Successfully defended and resolved numerous age, sex, race and disability discrimination and retaliation cases against national companies and small businesses in state and federal courts
• Successfully defended and resolved a shareholder and directors of a closely-held corporation at trial and on appeal
• Drafting, revising and training on Title IX policies for Ohio colleges and universities in compliance with Department of Education's 2020 Title IX regulations
• Assisting private Ohio college in management and resolution of internal faculty and student complaints, as well as Title IX investigations and the disciplinary process related to students and student organizations
• Serving as a law clerk for the Honorable David A. Cheney and the Honorable Richard K. Warren in the Allen County Common Pleas Court
• Serving as a legal extern for the Honorable Gregory L. Frost in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio

Erin has presented on the issues of discrimination and accommodations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, website accessibility, and the use of medical and CBD as accommodations for individuals with disabilities. 

Erin earned her J.D. with high distinction from the Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law, where she was a member of the Willis Society.  She was also the editor-in-chief of the Ohio Northern University Law Review.  Erin earned her B.A. magna cum laude from the University of Georgia, where she was a member of the Varsity Equestrian Team that earned multiple SEC and national championships.

Honors & Recognitions

Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Litigation, 2021-2023

The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, Labor and Employment Law – Management, 2022-2025

Professional & Community Activities

Cincinnati Bar Association, Member

Young Lawyer Section of the Cincinnati Bar Association, CLE Committee Co-Chair, 2018-2020

WELD (Women for Economic and Leadership Development), Southern Ohio Chapter Steering Committee, Member and Volunteer