Find Lawyers in New Orleans, Louisiana for Insurance Law
Practice Area Overview
Insurance policies sold to corporate policyholders protect against a wide variety of risks, including liability or loss resulting from: (i) allegedly defective products (including medical devices and pharmaceuticals), (ii) data breaches and other internet-related claims, (iii) mass torts, including exposure to harmful substances such as asbestos and silica, (iv) property damage and business interruption, (v) man-made and natural disasters, (vi) securities and business torts (often involving shareholder class actions and/or SEC investigations and enforcement actions), (vii) environmental damage, (viii) employment claims (including worker’s compensation and discrimination claims), (ix) professional liability, and (x) and crime/fraud. The major types of insurance policies purchased by corporate policyholders include general liability policies, directors and officers liability policies, fiduciary liability policies, employment practices liability policies, errors and omissions and professional liability policies, first-party property and business interruption policies, marine insurance, crime/fraud policies, workers compensation policies, environmental impairment policies, and a wide variety of specialty products (e.g., media policies, satellite launch and in-orbit insurance, product recall policies, cargo policies, product tampering policies, event cancellation coverage). Major markets for buying and selling insurance include the United States, London, Bermuda, and Europe.
Insurance programs sold to and purchased by corporate policyholders typically include several layers of insurance, with a primary insurance policy that often sits above a deductible (or self-insured retention) and with multiple layers of excess policies sitting above the primary policy. Large claims can often implicate coverage under dozens of policies sometimes spanning years or decades. In contrast, individual policyholders typically purchase life insurance, health insurance, disability and/or long-term care insurance, homeowners or renters insurance, automobile insurance, and sometimes specialty insurance, such as coverage for jewelry or works of art, travel insurance, etc.
Law firms provide clients with insurance coverage counseling and advice on a wide array of issues, ranging from assessments of coverage for particular losses and representation in coverage disputes to providing help with assembling a coverage portfolio and formulating favorable policy language when insurance is being purchased or renewed. Firms also advise clients regarding the insurance assets being transferred in corporate transactions, with tax planning in connection with insurance payments or recoveries, and with alternative underwriting programs, such as captive insurance entities.
Policyholders and insurers dealing with significant losses often call on outside coverage counsel for advice and assistance in pursuing coverage or responding to claims for coverage, as the case may be. In the event of a dispute over coverage for a particular claim, the insurer and insured may resort to litigation, arbitration, or mediation to resolve their differences. If the parties proceed to litigation, the case may proceed in either federal or state court, even though the substantive insurance law issues are decided as a matter of state law. Some insurance policies require the parties to resolve coverage disputes through either domestic or international arbitration. In recent years, an increasing number of large disputes have been resolved through international arbitration, often in London or Bermuda. In many cases, experienced coverage counsel can facilitate resolution of a coverage dispute without having to resort to the courts (or to arbitration). In other cases, settlement negotiations proceed on a parallel track while the litigation (or arbitration) moves forward.
Benedict Lenhart
Elliott Schulder
Deanna Wilcox
Covington & Burling
A successful investigation leaves no stone unturned, and Andrea Albert digs into investigations with a keen attention to detail and an eye toward a long-term strategy to bring about the best resolution for her clients. She is a member of the firm’s Emergency Response Team for transportation matters, assisting clients from the time of an accident through the investigation process and litigation. Andrea’s practice focuses on defense litigation, from trial through appeal, and include...
Michael A. Balascio is an experienced litigator representing clients in securities litigation and arbitration, high-stakes insurance coverage and bad faith cases, and complex commercial litigation. He has first-chair trial experience and has successfully litigated matters in federal and state appellate courts. In his securities practice, Michael counsels investment management companies and brokers in litigated matters and FINRA proceedings in a variety of significant disputes involving securi...
Judy Y. Barrasso is a founding member of the law firm of Barrasso Usdin Kupperman Freeman & Sarver, L.L.C., a New Orleans litigation firm ranked among the top litigation firms in Louisiana. Her practice focuses on commercial litigation, and includes complex commercial litigation matters and class actions involving insurance coverage and bad faith, director and officer liability, securities fraud, and commercial contracts. Judy has handled matters in at least twelve states. Judy has been r...
David Bienvenu has extensive litigation experience in state and federal courts throughout Louisiana, representing clients in general casualty, insurance and commercial litigation. He enjoys an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbell, a testament to the fact that his peers rank him at the highest level of professional excellence. He has also been named a Louisiana Super Lawyer in Civil Litigation Defense and is recognized in Best Lawyers in Commercial, Casualty, and Insurance Litigation. ...
For Doris, integrity isn’t just an ideal; it’s a way of life that resonates in every action, decision, and interaction. She seeks to work with people who inspire her and works to pave the way for others by encouraging equity and inclusivity in the legal profession. Clients who work with Doris know she is a uniquely dedicated professional. She has more than 25 years of litigation experience and maintains a practice across the Gulf South. She also leads the firm’s employment l...
Benjamin P. Bucy has significant experience in complex litigation and has focused his practice on representing whistleblowers in qui tam cases under federal and state False Claims Acts. Ben has been involved in all phases of False Claims Act (FCA) cases, including case development, drafting FCA complaints, assisting the Government in sealed FCA investigations, litigating FCA cases and has secured millions of dollars in False Claims Act settlements. Most of Ben’s FCA experience has invol...
Daniel J. Caruso has been an active trial practitioner since his admission to the Bar in 1972. As such, he has litigated nationwide cases involving maritime and general liability; insurance coverage and bad faith; architecture and engineer error and omissions; construction surety and construction defect, as well as toxic tort. Mr. Caruso has appeared on behalf of clients in numerous state and federal district courts, as well as courts of appeal. He has also appeared before arbitration panels ...
Martha Young Curtis is a member (partner) of Sher Garner Cahill Richter Klein & Hilbert, L.L.C. Ms. Curtis was one of the founding members of Sher Garner law firm when it opened its doors in January, 1999. It has since grown into one of the top New Orleans law firms with over 40 attorneys and more than 80 employees. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree,summa cum laude, from Vanderbilt University and her Juris doctorate, summa cum laude, from Tulane Law School where she served as Senior ...
Richard Dicharry practices in the area of insurance and reinsurance. He began his career at Phelps Dunbar in 1978, practicing in admiralty litigation. After seven years of an active litigation practice, he refocused his practice on insurance coverage work for the London insurance market. Since 1985, Mr. Dicharry has counseled and represented insurers with regard to a variety of liabilities, with particular emphasis on energy, property and uncertain date of loss exposures.
Richard G. Duplantier, Jr. is one of Galloway’s senior partners and a respected trial lawyer engaged in a general commercial litigation practice and more specifically in products liability, construction, environmental and all facets of professional liability, including medical, accounting, and legal malpractice defense. Rick’s varied practice further involves general insurance defense and coverage litigation. Rick’s experience also includes the immediate response, assessment...
Céleste focuses on several insurance coverage practice areas including third-party insurance coverage, general liability, environmental and toxic tort liability coverage, and marine insurance coverage. Céleste represents insurers in connection with insurance coverage and bad faith disputes involving a variety of matters including environmental and latent injury claims, business torts, and labor- and employment-related claims. In addition, she has significant experience represent...
Madeleine Fischer is special counsel in the Litigation Practice Group. She focuses on insurance coverage and claims handling disputes. Madeleine has represented clients in litigation for almost 40 years and has extensive trial experience in state and federal courts. She has represented a variety of policyholders and insurance companies in insurance coverage and bad faith litigation. Besides insurance coverage and bad faith litigation, her practice also extends to appellate practice, class act...
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...
Darryl primarily practices in areas of toxic tort and environmental law, representing defendants in asbestos litigation in Louisiana and other states. He also practices general insurance defense, particularly first party claims for disability and life insurance benefits. Darryl has successfully obtained multiple defense jury verdicts in favor of Monsanto, including a six week jury trial involving six plaintiffs claiming asbestos related disease from working in a paper mill, and a trial of nei...
Cove Geary is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group, where he counsels clients with respect to a broad range of disputes. Cove represents and advises clients in connection with energy litigation; life, health, and disability insurance, and Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) litigation; aviation litigation; insurance coverage issues; commercial disputes; professional liability matters; and class action litigation. Cove leads the firm’s insurance coverage practice team. ...
John Jerry Glas is the Chair of the Civil Litigation Department at Deutsch Kerrigan and a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He has tried 114 civil or criminal trials, including 76 jury trials and 38 judge trials. Jerry has been admitted pro hac vice in 11 different states and had success on both sides of the aisle. In 2021, as lead trial counsel for the plaintiff (Lindale Pipeline, LLC), Jerry obtained a $26 million verdict in Houston. In 2012, as lead trial counsel for the def...
Pablo Gonzalez guides clients through the complex, evolving issues involving insurance coverage for cybersecurity events. In addition to litigation and mediation, he conducts working reviews of policy language and develops innovative, cost-effective systems to help insurers, reinsurers and syndicates monitor claims. Pablo leads the firm’s cyber coverage and monitoring team as well as the New Orleans insurance and reinsurance practice. He is a frequent speaker and writer on cyber insuran...
Bart Hall practices in the area of insurance and reinsurance, and concentrates on coverage and reinsurance issues arising out of a wide range of claims, including environmental and latent injury claims, business torts, intellectual property claims, labor and employment related claims and construction defect claims, as well as issues involving insured and additional insured status, self-insured retentions and general claims handling issues under third-party and first-party policies. Mr. Hall i...
Stephen Hall practices in the areas of insurance coverage law, environmental insurance litigation, asbestos and toxic tort litigation, and has gained considerable experience litigating coverage issues throughout the United States on behalf of the London insurance market and various domestic insurers, since joining the firm in 1983. The types of liabilities over which Mr. Hall has litigated disputed coverage issues include: environmental, asbestos, broker errors and omissions, aviation, and bu...
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...
Bill Hines is managing partner of Jones Walker and a member of the Corporate Practice Group. Passionate about economic and cultural development in New Orleans, across Louisiana, and throughout the Gulf South, Bill has been a legal, business, and civic leader for more than 35 years. Since 2006, he has led Jones Walker through a period of significant growth. During this time, the firm’s client base has expanded to include leading regional, national, and international corporations, banks a...
John W. Joyce is an experienced litigator and trial attorney whose practice includes most types of sophisticated civil litigation. He represents insurance companies in coverage and claim-handling cases, broker-dealers and financial advisors in securities and employment disputes, and both businesses and individuals in contract, fraud, fiduciary liability, shareholder, restrictive covenant, and trade secret litigation. John has represented clients in more than twenty trials, evidentiary hearing...
Katherine Karam is a partner in the firm’s insurance and reinsurance practice. For over two decades, she has served as local, regional (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas), and national coverage counsel for both foreign and domestic insurance companies. She counsels clients, resolves coverage disputes and manages litigation involving insurance issues under state laws in all regions of the United Stat...
Doug Kleeman practices in the area of insurance and reinsurance. He counsels clients, manages disputes and tries cases involving a variety of first- and third-party insurance coverage issues. Prior to joining Phelps Dunbar, Doug practiced in the areas of insurance coverage and litigation at Bienvenu, Foster, Ryan & O’Bannon, LLC in New Orleans.
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. Lee is Chair of the firm's Commercial Litigation Practice Group. For the last 15 years, his practice has included a concentration in insurance and insurance class action lawsuits. He has experience in handling coverage issues, bad faith claims, mold claims, regulatory issues and class action claims with a myriad of substantial issues. Mr. Lee joined Stone Pigman, and was admitted to the Louisiana Bar, in 1974.
Mr. Masinter's practice focuses on contentious, complex litigation while concentrating primarily in the areas of business litigation, and securities litigation and arbitration. He also handles cases involving corporate disputes, breach of contract claims and unfair trade practices. Mr. Masinter is Chair of the firm's Litigation Section and Co-Chair of the Securities Practice Group. He joined Stone Pigman in 1990.
Kyle Moran practices in the areas of insurance coverage counseling and litigation, as well as and commercial litigation, with an emphasis on energy and marine claims, first-party and third-party insurance property claims, professional liability defense, business torts and contract disputes. He also has extensive experience counseling and defending clients involved in environmental, toxic tort and long-term exposure litigation and managing complex and large exposure claims. In 2010, Mr. Moran ...
Sean Mount defends corporate clients and insurance companies in a variety of litigation claims that can arise as a result of today’s competitive legal environment. With a special interest in defense litigation, Sean Mount enjoys addressing client problems and crafting a solution that is best suitable for their business. Building upon his extensive courtroom experience, he has successfully litigated a variety of matters in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas for various corporate and insur...
With more than 30 years of experience, James Prather quickly evaluates a case, sees the end game, then develops a litigation strategy to achieve the desired outcome. Sometimes that means obtaining an early settlement; other times it requires taking the matter to trial. James has the experience and skills to do both, always aligning his strategy with his clients’ business goals. James started his practice with a focus on property and casualty defense litigation and has grown his practice...
Douglas Redfearn is a commercial litigator with more than 25 years of legal experience. He practices primarily in the area of civil litigation involving product liability. He represents national insurers and other large companies in matters involving asbestos and silica-related injuries, chemical injuries, product defect injuries, slip-and-fall accidents, and transportation accidents, and is currently managing statewide asbestos and silica litigation in Louisiana.
Marshall Redmon practices in the area of insurance and reinsurance. For more than twenty years, he has focused on insurance coverage, professional liability defense, bad faith counseling, and related litigation. As a young lawyer Mr. Redmon completed a secondment to a Lloyd’s non-marine syndicate, during which period he provided in-house advices to several London market insurers. His experience includes litigating a variety of non-marine matters, with an emphasis on professional liabili...
Kermit Tre’ Roux works extensively with insureds, claims adjusters, third-party administrators, and underwriters in the development of strategy and defense of all insurance related matters from the time of the accident through the ultimate resolution of the case. He is experienced in all facets of civil litigation with an emphasis on insurance coverage related litigation work from initial case analysis and strategy formation to trial/arbitrations and Writ applications/Appeals.
Lugenbuhl shareholder, Shaundra Schudmak’s practice areas include insurance coverage, insurance defense, bad faith claims, uninsured and underinsured motorist claims, property damage claims, commercial litigation, torts, premises liability, public sector liability, and pre-litigation consulting. Shaundra is an attorney with substantial litigation experience both in state and federal courts. Since joining Lugenbuhl in 2013, she has worked diligently to partner with clients to rectify mat...
Jay Sever is a partner in the Insurance and Reinsurance group of Phelps Dunbar. He is the Regional Practice Coordinator for the firm's insurance practice group and is also head of the insurance and reinsurance practice group in the New Orleans office. He serves as local, regional and national coverage counsel for both foreign and domestic insurance companies. He counsels clients, manages disputes and tries cases involving a wide variety of insurance coverage issues, including matters arising ...
Steven W. Usdin is a founding member of Barrasso Usdin Kupperman Freeman & Sarver, L.L.C. His practice is concentrated in commercial litigation, including insurance coverage, contracts, class actions and complex litigation, oil and gas litigation and intellectual property. Throughout his career, his diverse representations have included, among many other cases, representing large public companies in shareholder litigation, a shipbuilder in a multi-million dollar contract dispute, and insu...
Jason Waguespack has served as Galloway’s Managing Director since 2009. His time-tested strategy for leading and growing the firm is to gather highly talented, dedicated attorneys and business professionals and provide them with autonomy and the resources they need to thrive and provide unparalleled client service. At the same time, Jason maintains an active maritime and international law practice, providing each client with excellent service, sound business advice, great results, and v...
Sloan defends insurers, trucking companies and corporate clients, as well as realtors, insurance agents, physicians and other professionals in matters involving trucking & auto negligence, professional negligence, medical malpractice, premises liability, property damage and coverage disputes. He believes consistent communication, along with outcome-driven litigation tactics, are key to developing and executing a defense strategy that is best suited to meet the needs and desired outcome of...
Bryce M. Addison is a civil litigator who represents corporate and insurance clients in all areas of motion and trial practice. His principal area of practice is complex insurance coverage analysis and litigation and commercial litigation claims. As a civil litigation partner, Bryce has successfully represented clients in state and federal courts as well as before federal, state, and municipal agencies. Bryce is a native and lifelong resident of Louisiana where he graduated from Saint Paul&rs...
Whitney M. Antoine practices in the areas of commercial litigation and insurance coverage and bad faith. Before joining the firm, Whitney served as law clerk to the Honorable Ivan L.R. Lemelle of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Whitney also served as an extern for Magistrate Judge Erin Wilder-Doomes in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana. Whitney received her Juris Doctor magna cum laude from Southern University Law Cen...
Andrew Baer is of counsel in the New Orleans, Louisiana, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. His practice emphasizes employment law, wage and hour disputes, and workplace safety while encompassing a wide variety of litigation and counseling matters on local, state and federal areas of law. Andrew’s strong business background provides a practical approach to employers who encounter countless workplace issues while providing excellent defense of his clients when claims and litigation arise. He h...
Kelsey believes that effective communication is key to being a successful client advocate. Assessing client-specific goals and strategic business considerations is critical to developing a case strategy suited to the particular needs of each client—whether that means a settlement or a vigorous trial defense. With an emphasis on insurance defense, insurance coverage, and workers’ compensation, Kelsey represents insurance carriers and private businesses in civil litigation in state ...
Jennifer focuses her practice on insurance coverage, bad faith litigation, immigration, premises liability, professional liability, contractual liability, personal injury defense, and equine law. She had the privilege in 2019 of participating in the renowned Secondee Counsel Program run by Brit Underwriting Syndicate at Lloyd’s, where she trained with Brit’s property binders claims team and underwriters. This opportunity not only provided an expansive knowledge of the Lloyd’...
Chloé M. Chetta is licensed in Louisiana and Texas. Her practice focuses on most types of complex and commercial litigation, with special emphasis on appellate issues. Her experience includes contract disputes, non-compete and antitrust issues, and other business litigation. She represents financial companies and advisors in employment and securities matters, including succession fights and other disputes over financial assets. She also represents insurance companies in high-stakes cov...
Lorcan L. Connick practices in the areas of commercial litigation and insurance coverage and bad faith. Lorcan received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Philosophy, Policy, and Law from the University of Virginia and his Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law. While in law school, Lorcan served as an Articles Editor for the Georgia Law Review. Lorcan also served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Kurt D. Engelhardt, Chief Judge for the United States District Court for the...
Member Trevor Cutaiar’s practice focuses on admiralty and maritime litigation and insurance defense. Trevor has significant experience in handling asbestos exposure cases involving a unique combination of Louisiana tort law, federal constitutional law, multi-district litigation and state and federal workers’ compensation schemes. His practice also includes premises liability cases, contractual disputes, and municipal liability. He has represented a wide range of clients, including...
Stephen Eckholdt understands that because each case has its own facts, there is no cookie cutter approach to litigation. From the inception of each case, Stephen helps his clients with a targeted investigation into the case’s key elements to achieve the individualized theme and defense resolution. Stephen serves local, regional, and national clients with defense and risk mitigation through pre-suit investigation, trial, and appeal. He focuses on defense litigation that includes the area...
Alexandra L. Gjertson focuses her practice on commercial litigation and insurance coverage and bad faith. Alex received her Juris Doctor summa cum laude from the University of Notre Dame Law School. While in law school, she served as Managing Senior Editor of the Notre Dame Law Review . Alex also served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Michael G. Gotsch of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana and to the Honorable Nannette Jolivette Brown of the United Sta...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.