Michael M. "Mike" Butterworth
Recognized since 2010
New Orleans, Louisiana
Practice Areas
Admiralty and Maritime Law
Mike Butterworth practices in the areas of admiralty and tort litigation and alternative dispute resolution, which includes collision, repair yard, machinery, cargo, pollution and longshoreman personal injury litigation at the trial and appellate level as well as mediation where appropriate. He is a registered civil mediator with the Louisiana State Bar Association. In addition to litigation, he teaches in the maritime law program at Tulane University Law School.
Contact & Links
Location
- 365 Canal Street, Suite 2000
New Orleans, LA 70130-6534
Demographics
- Ethnicity: White
Education
- Tulane University, J.D., graduated 1989
- California Maritime Academy, BSc, graduated 1980
Bar Admissions
- Washington, Washington State Bar Association
- Louisiana, Louisiana State Bar Association
Affiliations
- Maritime Law Association of the United States - Proctor in Admiralty
- Tulane University Law School - Adjunct Professor
- United States Coast Guard - Merchant Mariner's Credential - Master, 1600 Tons, Oceans, Radar Endorsement and STCW Certified
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Phelps Dunbar LLP
Headquarters:
New Orleans, Louisiana
175 The Best Lawyers in America® awards
20 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards
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Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
- Admiralty and Maritime Law
Awards:
- Archbishop's Service Award - 2010 (15 years of teaching Confirmation and catechism classes)
- Board of Advisory Editors - Tulane Maritime Law Journal (1995 to present)
- AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
- Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business
- Admiralty and Maritime Law, The Best Lawyers in America (2010-2021)
- Louisiana Super Lawyers list, Super Lawyers (2014-2020)
- Who's Who Legal-Transport
Cases
The JALAVIHAR
General Average case with complex facts arising out of a collision and grounding - Fifth Circuit agreed with our client's position that the COGSA Error in Navigation exception was unconditional and applied before as well as after voyage commencement.
The CHERRY VALLEY
Salvage case involving a loaded oil tanker salving a striken tug and barge carrying a Space Shuttle fuel tank during Tropical Storm Georges. Largest voluntary salvage award in history.
The TINTOMARA
Mississippi River collision involving a products tanker and a tug and red flag barge flotilla. The resultant oil spill closed the Mississippi River for almost two weeks, and cost about $100 Million USD for response and barge wreck removal expenses. Trial Court Verdict Sole Fault against opponent tug and barge interests.
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