Find Lawyers in Louisiana, United States for Admiralty and Maritime Law

Scott Andrews is the 2024-2025 President-Elect of the Louisiana Association for Justice (LAJ). He is licensed to practice law in Louisiana (since 1996) and Texas (since 2006), and is admitted to practice in all Federal Courts in Louisiana, and before the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Since 2010, Scott has been an Adjunct Professor of Law at the Southern University Law Center teaching Advanced Louisiana Torts, Insurance Law, and Products Liab...

Etienne Balart is a partner in the Maritime and Litigation practice groups, in the Construction Industry Team, and co-leads the firm's Latin America working group. He provides transactional and litigation counsel to clients in the energy and maritime industries. Etienne helps clients identify and quantify financial, compliance, and other risks associated with disputes and litigated matters, negotiate, and, where necessary, bring to trial commercial and other disputes. Relying upon this deep e...

Will Baldwin is co-leader of the firm’s Maritime Industry Group and leader of the firm’s maritime transactional team, where he focuses on maritime transactions and marine finance. Will also serves as co-chair of the firm’s offshore wind initiative. Will advises and represents clients on a wide range of complex marine transactional matters, including financings, ship mortgages, the purchase and sale of marine assets, Jones Act compliance, and governmental approval for maritim...

Frank Barry is an experienced maritime and energy litigator with successes involving maritime property damage, marine insurance indemnity and coverage claims. Frank also has achieved successful outcomes in insurance broker E&O claims, and in oil and gas claims such as Legacy Oil, on shore blowouts, and operating agreement litigation. With over 30 years of experience, his reported cases include seminal Louisiana caselaw on gas balancing and preferential rights in mineral law (Fina Oil &...

Richard Bertram is a partner in the Maritime Practice Group. Richard has more than 30 years of experience in admiralty and maritime law. He handles a wide range of domestic and international admiralty and maritime matters, including transactions, litigation, arbitration, appellate, regulatory, and administrative law, marine casualty investigations, regulatory compliance, and marine pollution and environmental matters.

Senior Counsel Will Bland, III, one of the founding members of the firm, has more than 49 years of experience as a litigator. Will’s practice focuses on maritime personal injury defense, maritime collision and property damage insurance coverage, contractual indemnity, longshore matters, transportation defense, and general litigation. His clients have included both Fortune 500 and local one-boat companies, and he regularly represents vessel operators, shipyards, both brown water and offs...

Member Alan G. Brackett, who is one of the firm founders, leads the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act defense team, which also handles claims arising under the Defense Base Act and War Hazards Compensation Act. Alan litigates claims nationwide for large corporations and insurance companies, including Chubb and American Longshore Mutual Association. As supported by the many peer honors he has received, including The Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers, Alan has develop...

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.

Colin Cambre practices in the area of admiralty law. He specializes in the areas of maritime personal injury defense and litigation, Jones Act and Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act claims, and maritime collision and property damage defense and litigation. He has experience conducting shipboard investigations for vessel collisions, personal injury and cargo damage. Colin has represented clients in state and federal courts in all aspects of litigation. He has handled numerous...

Bert M. Cass Jr., is a jury trial litigator concentrating in the defense of bodily injury and death cases particularly in marine and offshore litigation claims. His practice focuses on representing vessel owners, oil and gas producers, exploration and drilling companies, facility operators, distributors, and offshore service contractors and their insurers against personal injury, wrongful death and survival claims. He is also experienced in energy-related claims, including interpretation of i...

With more than 25 years’ experience counseling, representing, and advocating for employer and contractor clients, Kathleen Charvet’s knowledge of the intricacies of the laws and regulations governing her clients enables her to quickly determine the best strategies for defending their interests. Kathleen engages in a collaborative practice with clients; medical, engineering, safety, and vocational expert witnesses; mediators; the bench; and other attorneys to attain optimum results...

Miles Clements is a recognized trial attorney having tried 100 cases to judgment. He practices at the trial and appellate levels in both state and federal court as well as in specialized jurisdictions throughout the country. His reputation spans from the marine and energy sector to defending the business and commercial needs of privately held and publicly traded companies. Miles is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the highest distinction of trial lawyers in the United States...

Richard Cozad is a partner in SBSB Eastham’s New Orleans office with more than 45 years of experience in private law practice. A member of the firm since August 2018, he has focused his years of practice primarily on admiralty, marine insurance and environmental law. Richard received his bachelor’s degree from Loyola University before going on to earn his law degree from Tulane University. Following graduation, he served as a law clerk for the Honorable Nauman Scott, former Chief ...

Kelly Duncan is a partner in the Maritime Practice Group. He serves currently as co-chair of the firm’s Gaming Industry Team and served on Jones Walker’s board of directors from 2006 to 2014. Kelly has 40 years of experience handling admiralty, maritime, and international and customs law matters, including domestic and international matters relating to marine acquisitions, financings, vessel construction, regulatory issues, maritime lien enforcement and foreclosures, contracts of ...

Michael J. Ecuyer is a member of the law firm of Gainsburgh, Benjamin, David, Meunier, & Warshauer, L.L.C. Michael is engaged in a civil litigation practice. He practices with an emphasis on the representation of plaintiffs in medical malpractice claims, admiralty or maritime matters, mass torts, FELA claims and personal injury claims. A member of the Louisiana State Bar Association, the New Orleans Bar Association, the Louisiana Association for Justice (Executive Committee), and the Fede...

As a member of Lugenbuhl's Admiralty & Maritime Group, Adelaida (Adi) Ferchmin focuses on advising clients in a wide variety of maritime, insurance, and energy matters. When working with her clients, Adi uses her knowledge of Spanish, Polish and Croatian to assist clients with international transactions and matters involving foreign entities or witnesses. Growing up in San Juan, Puerto Rico Adi has a thorough understanding of not only the languages, but barriers that can be brought on by ...

Mr. Flint is a Shareholder in the New Orleans office with a practice that includes both commercial and civil litigation within the maritime and energy fields. His maritime industry experience includes the representation of drilling and service companies, blue and brown water vessel owners, charterers, and insurers. Particularly related to his maritime practice, Mr. Flint has developed a specialty with DBA cases defending burn pit and PTSD claims. His longevity in the practice area and concern...

Mr. Force practices in the areas of commercial litigation, admiralty, and complex insurance defense and coverage law and has represented clients at both the trial and appellate levels. Mr. Force is admitted to practice in Louisiana, Texas, and California and has practiced with law firms in each of those states. Mr. Force is an active member of the Maritime Law Association of the United States, having served on its Board of Directors and as Chair of the MLA's Practice and Procedure and Young L...

George J. Fowler, III, is a partner in the Maritime Practice Group, where he focuses on litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution. George Fowler is an internationally recognized trial lawyer known for his successful record trying hundreds of cases to juries and judges, including numerous high-profile matters, complex litigation, and cases of national concern. George has written and lectured extensively on private international law and world trade and is active in promoting trade and inv...

In these complex cases, Jeremy complements his arguments with logical structure and prudent strategy to gain advantages over the opposition. He regularly appears in state and federal courts, and he has litigated and handled appeals involving: Contract and other commercial disputes Business torts Products liability and toxic tort cases Insurance matters Vessel seizures/arrests and other maritime casualty matters Jeremy is also a regular contributor to legal publications and has written numerou...

For more than twenty-five years, Tim Hassinger has represented companies and insurers in personal injury, commercial, and insurance coverage litigation. He has cross-examined hundreds of fact, medical, and expert witnesses, becoming versed in the technical aspects of his clients’ operations and the medical nuances of claims when personal injuries are involved. He understands that a targeted approach is the most effective means of both controlling and efficiently resolving litigation for...

Gary Hemphill practices in the areas of admiralty litigation. His practice involves matters in personal injury, cargo, oil and energy, finance and FD&D. Prior to joining Phelps Dunbar, Mr. Hemphill was with the Terriberry, Carroll, & Yancey, L.L.P. law firm in New Orleans.

Russ M. Herman is a Senior Partner of Herman, Herman & Katz, L.L.C. He graduated from Tulane University with a B.A. Degree and L.L.B. in 1966. In 1977, he was chosen “Outstanding Trial Lawyer” by the Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association, and was LTLA President in 1980-81. He has authored over 200 articles, papers and books in various aspects of Civil Trial Practice and has been published in various works including Am Jur; Trials; Shepard’s/McGraw Hill; The National Busine...

Member Dan Hoerner anchors the firm’s Lafayette, Louisiana office. He has been with Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand & Brackett since it was founded in 1997 and practiced with the firm’s founders for five years prior to that. His practice is primarily litigation-based, with emphasis on admiralty and maritime law, general casualty and insurance defense, personal injury defense, property damage claims, employer and premises liability, and contract negotiations and disputes. He has succ...

Grady Hurley is a partner in and co-leader of the maritime litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution team and co-chair of the Energy, Environmental & Natural Resources Industry Team. Since 1979, he has focused on maritime, oilfield, and energy litigation. Grady has broad-ranging dispute resolution and transactional experience at the intersection of energy and maritime law, including in areas such as offshore energy exploration, production, and distribution, where a range of complex ...

Scott Jenkins is a partner in and leader of the Maritime Practice Group and co-leader of the Maritime Industry Team. He advises clients on a broad range of maritime transactions, compliance, and litigation. Scott advises clients on coastwise trade, security, citizenship, manning, and vessel documentation issues; contracts; service agreements; charter agreements; disputes arising from commercial, construction, insurance coverage, and indemnity issues; personal injury and casualty litigation; a...

Neal J. Kling, a Member of the firm, received his undergraduate degree in Business and Public Administration from Louisiana State University and his law degree from Louisiana State University Law Center where he graduated Order of the Coif and was a member of the Louisiana Law Review. He represents clients in the areas of secured financing transactions, real estate transactions, real property and personal property leasing, maritime construction and finance and other commercial transactions. M...

Kevin LaVie practices in the area of admiralty and tort. He has a very broad-based practice involving nearly all aspects of maritime law including personal injury and death claims; cargo damage claims; dock damage and collision claims; Limitation of Liability matters; charter party and related commercial disputes (including ship arrests and Rule B attachments); insurance coverage disputes; oilfield indemnity actions; pollution matters; and various Coast Guard and immigration matters. His prac...

Bret LeBreton is a partner in the Maritime Practice Group and a member of the insurance coverage team. He has practiced in all facets of maritime, energy, and marine and non-marine insurance law. Bret has represented assureds, underwriters, and other industry participants in a broad range of disputes involving hull, cargo, builder's risk, P&I, MEL, CGL, control of well, and excess and umbrella policies. He has given opinions regarding coverage, prepared reservations of rights, and advised...

Mr. Leche has over 40 years experience as a civil litigator representing corporations and insurance companies in a wide variety of matters including mass tort/disaster cases; insurance coverage; personal injury; product liability; and maritime, including Jones Act.

David W. Leefe is a shareholder in the New Orleans office of Liskow & Lewis and Chair of the firm’s Maritime, Oilfield and Insurance practice group. His practice includes a wide variety of litigation, including personal injury, property damage, insurance coverage, and contractual disputes, with a primary emphasis on maritime and oilfield matters. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University in 1978 and his Juris Doctorate degree, cum laude, from Loyola Univer...

Senior Counsel Georges Legrand is one of the founding members of MBLB. He has more than 44 years of experience as a litigator. As a leader of the firm’s Admiralty and Maritime law practice, he has been part of forging a team of attorneys who have developed a depth of expertise that rivals larger firms. His practice focuses on defense of maritime personal injury and property damage claims on the river and offshore, as well as insurance, transportation, and contractual matters. His experi...

Walter Maestri is a maritime attorney working in the offshore fields representing companies that have contracts with oil and gas interests in the Gulf of Mexico. Whether representing the actual platform owner or the service industries that provide support to the oil and gas industry, he defends those companies against personal injury actions, property damage loss, lost oil and gas revenues, or other claims that may arise from operations in the Gulf. Working in partnerships with his clients, W...

Marty McLeod practices in the area of marine and energy and business litigation law. He represents U.S. and foreign vessel owners as well as offshore energy companies in a variety of marine and energy matters, including regulatory issues, business counseling, bankruptcy, and property, loss of use, pollution and commercial disputes. Marty serves as the practice coordinator of Phelps Dunbar's New Orleans admiralty group and is a current member of the firm's Operations Committee. Prior to enteri...

Matthew’s experience and practice primarily includes the representation of shipyards, vessel owners and operators and contractors as well as other businesses in maritime, construction and commercial disputes. This experience includes the defense of Jones Act, Longshore Harbor and Worker’s Compensation Act, and maritime personal injury claims, as well as maritime contractual disputes and maritime property damage matters. Matthew’s experience also includes the defense of insur...

Kent Morrison practices in all areas of marine and energy law, including tort defense, monitoring and insurance coverage analysis. He has handled cases involving cargo disputes, collisions, personal injuries, deaths, collisions, allisions, wake/wave wash, groundings, products liability, property damage, indemnity and insurance coverage disputes, representing maritime employers, vessel owners, longshore employers, energy companies, dock and terminal owners and their underwriters. He also provi...

A firm founder, Senior Counsel André Mouledoux is a seasoned litigator who brings his clients more than 40 years of battle-hardened experience. André’s practice focuses on maritime, insurance and transportation defense. He is also a skilled commercial and corporate counsel. He has successfully litigated serious commercial disputes and catastrophic tort cases from California to Rhode Island, the U.K. to Egypt. He has tried and won defense verdicts in a number of wrongful de...

Stewart focuses on bankruptcy, restructuring, and creditors’ rights; admiralty and maritime; marine finance and vessel documentation; asset-based finance; litigation, corporate and commercial law; and oil and gas. Stewart has been practicing law in New Orleans for more than 38 years. He is a 1974 graduate of Kenyon College, magna cum laude , where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He graduated top in his class in 1977 from Tulane Law School where he was elected to the Order of the Coif...

In his 30 years of practice, Tiger Pharr has found that the most important attribute of a lawyer is effective communication: doing more listening than talking in order to understand the client’s goals and expectations to provide an accurate assessment of the options to resolve a matter through settlement or trial. Tiger has tried more than 40 matters to verdict and resolved thousands of other matters, giving him the experience to provide the best options for resolution. Tiger’s pr...

Bill Riviere practices in the areas of collision, maritime personal injury, terminal/installation damage, pollution, fire, salvage, maritime lien matters, oilfield indemnity and insurance coverage disputes, and appellate matters. He represents maritime employers, vessel owners, energy interests and their underwriters in personal injury defense litigation, including Jones Act and Longshore and Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act claims, and represents vessel owners, operators, dock and term...

James P. Roy is a senior partner and managing member of the plaintiffs' personal injury firm Domengeaux Wright Roy Edwards LLC in Lafayette, Louisiana. Focusing his practice on civil litigation, he represents plaintiffs throughout Louisiana and the Gulf coast involving vehicular accidents, admiralty and maritime law, personal injury and wrongful death. Mr. Roy has served as co-lead class counsel for the BP Oil Spill, Deepwater Horizon multi-district federal litigation (MDL 2179). He has obtai...

Joshua Rubenstein grew up in New Orleans and was the three-time Louisiana State High School Champion in Extemporaneous Speaking, which meant he was destined to be a trial lawyer. While in law school, he worked as a Judicial Law Clerk to Judge Roland Belsome, then of Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans (New Orleans) and as a judicial extern for Louisiana Fourth Circuit Judge Pattie Murray. Following law school, he worked as Judge Ethel Simms Julien's law clerk and then entered priva...

Bill Schwartz moved down from St. Louis to New Orleans in 1972 to attend Tulane University. After graduating cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in history, he attended Tulane School of Law, where he received his Juris Doctor in 1979. Since then, Bill has practiced law with the same firm for more than 35 years. Bill’s practice consists primarily of litigation with a focus on admiralty and maritime matters. These range from personal injury defense, collision, charter parties, offsho...

David focuses on marine insurance coverage; marine finance and vessel documentation; bankruptcy, restructuring, and creditors’ rights; admiralty and maritime; and international and cross-border law. He represents clients that own, operate, charter, or employ vessels, and helps them understand and manage their risks in the United States, Gulf of Mexico, and worldwide offshore maritime oilfield and alternative-energy markets. Originally from Bethesda, Maryland, David attended Tulane Unive...

Tommy Smith has always recognized that a successful litigator achieves the client’s goals in a cost-effective and timely fashion while keeping the client both informed and in control. For the past thirty-seven years Tommy’s aggressive, analytical, and flexible approach to litigation has led to the attainment of those goals in close to one hundred jury, bench, and administrative trials and arbitrations, as well as appeals. In addition to successfully trying cases, Tommy knows when ...

Paul Sterbcow is the managing member of Lewis, Kullman, Sterbcow & Abramson, LLC. Paul obtained a B.S. from Tulane University and a J.D. from Tulane University School of Law. Paul is licensed to practice in all Louisiana state and federal courts, along with the United States Supreme Court. Paul’s primary practice area is admiralty and maritime law, an area in which he has been recognized as one of the best practitioners in the country. Paul was selected as a member of the Plaintiff&...

Frederick William (“Billy”) Swaim III is a native New Orleanian who honed his legal habits early, born to a home where the language of law comprised the daily discourse with his dad and namesake a law professor for four decades, his mom a litigator, and his older sister a future prosecuting attorney. After obtaining his Juris Doctor from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, Billy secured a Masters of Law (LL.M.) in Admiralty from Tulane University, with distinction. While...