Top Maritime Lawyers Near Me in New Orleans Area

I have over 40 years experience as a civil litigator representing corporations and insurance companies in a wide variety of matters.  My main focus includes civil litigation defense; admiralty and maritime litigation; insurance defense litigation; insurance coverage; product liability litigation; class action and mass tort / disaster litigation.

I have over 30 years experience litigating admiralty and maritime property damage claims, marine insurance indemnity and coverage claims, including insurance broker E&O claims, and oil and gas claims, such as Legacy Oil, on shore blowout, and operating agreement litigation.

I engage in a diversified practice that includes the routine representation of clients in the areas of commercial transportation, casualty litigation, products liability with an emphasis on oil and gas equipment, maritime law and insurance coverage.

I concentrate in the defense of bodily injury and death cases with an emphasis in marine and offshore litigation claims. I represent businesses in contract negotiations, corporate structuring, and a variety of business disputes. I also have experience handling property taking cases on behalf of landowners, including appropriation and expropriation cases with the United States Corps of Engineers and local Levee Districts.. In the energy industry, I handle claims related to interpretation of indemnity and insurance requirements in vessel charters and Master Service Agreements as well as interpretation of the anti-indemnity acts of Louisiana and Texas.

I became an attorney for two main reasons.  One is that I find the law in general interesting.  The other is because I wanted to help people in their time of need. I have a B.A. in Psychology from the University of New Orleans as well as a J.D. from Loyola University School of Law in New Orleans. Law school was challenging, but I loved it. I graduated from law school in 2005 and was in the top 25% of my class. I currently focus on Jones Act and General Maritime Law cases. Focusing on this area of law allows me to stay in the loop on current issues and changes in the law that develop.

I am a partner in the firm practicing in the areas of maritime, products liability, insurance defense, offshore litigation and workers’ compensation. My maritime practice is devoted primarily to the representation of oil and gas producers and their contractors, defending them against personal injury and property damage claims, as well as prosecuting claims on their behalf for property damage and lost oil and gas revenues.. I defend the interests of the firm’s clients in state workers’ compensation proceedings and federal Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act actions.

Hugh Lambert founded The Lambert Firm (now Lambert Zainey Smith & Soso) in 1977 and has since grown the firm to one of the most prestigious and well respected firms in New Orleans, representing individuals and businesses alike in a wide range of legal matters. In addition to his legal representation, Hugh Lambert is a frequent lecturer across the United States on class actions and mass torts. He has also authored and published legal articles. He has held a broad range of leadership positions in many organizations devoted to law, civic and charitable pursuits. He is a member in good standing of numerous state and federal courts throughout the United States in which results favorable to the firm’s clients have been achieved.. ADMISSIONS. State of Louisiana US District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana US District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana US District Court for the Western District of Louisiana US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals US Federal Claims Court. PRO HAC APPEARANCES. Alabama Arizona California Illinois Maine Maryland Michigan Mississippi New Jersey North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Rhode Island South Carolina Tennessee Texas West Virginia

Gavin Hodges Guillot is a founding member of Pusateri, Barrios, Guillot & Greenbaum, LLC. He is an alumnus of Tulane University Law School and Louisiana State University. His practice focuses primarily on maritime/energy litigation, transactional, and corporate matters, including representing clients in negotiating service contracts, vessel collisions and allisions, contractual defense and indemnity/insurance coverage disputes, Jones Act/LHWCA defense, cargo loss, vessel arrests and maritime attachment proceedings, maritime liens, towage, employment contracts, and a variety of other matters. His clients include among them offshore operators, tugboat companies, international shipping companies, a Fortune 10 Global Energy Company, and various domestic and London-based insurers.. While in law school, Gavin was a senior editor and published member of the Tulane Maritime Law Journal, a Director of the Moot Court Board, and was the champion of Tulane’s trial competition, earning lasting recognition for trial advocacy by having his name engraved on the marble tablets in Tulane’s Weinmann Hall auditorium with the other champions in the school’s history. Also while in law school, Gavin represented Tulane across the country in a three moot court competitions, ranking nationally as third among over 200 teams in one competition. Such experience provided a strong base to his litigation practice, including obtaining a complete defense verdict in a maintenance and cure trial in Louisiana State Court in Plaquemines Parish, a complete defense verdict in a two-day arbitration, and other favorable results in trials and hearings in both state and federal courts.. Upon graduation, Gavin earned Tulane’s Certificate of Specialization in Maritime Law, was elected to the Order of the Barristers, and received recognition for his academic performance (including a cash prize for the highest grade in the law school’s oil and gas course). Since graduation, Gavin has also authored and co-authored several published articles and spoken at seminars from San Francisco to Port Fourchon, Louisiana, on various aspects of maritime law ranging from economic loss damages to the ever expanding LHWCA jurisdiction to the peculiarities of offshore contracts. He has been designated by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in 2015, 2016, and 2017 for Admiralty & Maritime Law. Gavin is also active in several bar associations and industry-centered associations, including the Mariners Club of the Port of New Orleans of which he is a former President and Director and the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute (“SEALI”) of which he is presently a Director. Aside from his practice, Gavin volunteers his time with several local non-profits, including for several years having taught an undergraduate pre-law studies class at the University of New Orleans. He lives in New Orleans with his wife and two children.

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.

From our New Orleans office, 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 University in New Orleans, graduating in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. After graduation, David worked for several years at Motorola Communications in Houston, Texas, where as a systems engineer, he helped design and implement radio systems for commercial and public safety customers in the U.S. Gulf Coast region and offshore energy markets.. In 1987, David began his law studies at George Washington University’s National Law Center in Washington, D.C. In 1990, David graduated with honors with a Juris Doctor and returned to New Orleans, where he has practiced admiralty and maritime law ever since.. David’s law practice concentrates on maritime contracts (time and bareboat charter parties, master service contracts, insurance and indemnity agreements, marine-insurance coverage, and ship sale and finance) and related commercial litigation (maritime liens, vessel arrest and attachment, and mortgage foreclosure).. David also remains involved with academia and teaches a course on towage and offshore service law at Tulane Law School, where he is an adjunct professor of law. David is a co-editor of the current West Publishing casebook, “Cases & Materials on Admiralty” (Healy, Sharpe, Sharpe & Winship – 5th Ed. 2012) and the Handbook of Maritime Laws & Forms (West 2007). David has published numerous articles, and he travels worldwide to speak and teach on issues such as offshore supply vessel contracts, vessel-construction contracts, and indemnity agreements.

Dick Chopin is a Member of The Chopin Law Firm and licensed to practice in Louisiana and Texas.  Dick Chopin is one of the pre-eminent attorneys in the entire Gulf South. He has represented his clients in the smallest courthouses in southern Louisiana as effectively and professionally as he has in England and Belgium. Quite simply, there are few better lawyers out there.. Dick has tried over 125 civil jury trials and so many bench trials that he does not even bother to keep count. A fearless and powerful advocate, Dick is the warrior clients need on their side when everything is on the line, whether insignificant personal injury litigation, a domestic matter, or a large casualty case.. Dick was admitted to the Bar in Louisiana in 1973 and Texas in 1997. Dick has extensive experience in virtually all types of litigation and is recognized locally and nationally as one of the best trial lawyers. He is well respected for his skills, ethics and professionalism and has consistently been selected for the highest possible ratings in all areas by his peers.. Contact Richard:

David Saltaformaggio practices in the area of marine, energy, transportation and insurance law. His practice consists of defending vessel owners and operators from claims arising from personal injury and contract disputes. He has experience conducting shipboard investigations. Mr. Saltaformaggio also practices in the area of transportation litigation, with a focus on employee personal injury and death (F.E.L.A.). In addition, Mr. Saltaformaggio has experience in insurance coverage litigation across multiple lines of insurance, both marine insurance and commercial property and casualty insurance.. Prior to joining Phelps Dunbar, Mr. Saltaformaggio worked in the marine insurance and commercial insurance industry. As a Claims Manager for a Marine insurance underwriting service, he managed offshore marine hull and machinery and protection and indemnity claims, including both personal injury and property claims.

David Lawton practices in the area of admiralty and tort. He has extensive trial and appellate experience in various aspects of maritime law, including personal injury/death, maritime pollution, contract disputes, offshore rigs and vessels, and major casualties.. Prior to joining Phelps Dunbar, he was with the Terriberry, Carroll, & Yancey, L.L.P. law firm in New Orleans.

Dan has been with Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand & Brackett since its inception in 1997.  He also practiced with the firm's founders for five years prior to that.. Dan's practice is primarily litigation-based, with emphasis on maritime law, personal injury defense, property damage claims, employer and premises liability, general casualty and insurance defense, and contract negotiations and disputes.  He has successfully represented cliens in state and federal district and appellate courts and before various government agencies and administrative courts.. He is currently admitted to practice in all Louisiana state and federal courts, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States.  Dan has also obtained special temporary admission before courts in numerous other states from coast to coast.  He is an active member of the American, Louisiana and Lafayatte Bar Associations, the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, the Propellor Club of New Orleans, and the American Inn of Court of Acadiana.  Dan contributes regularly to WorkBoat magazine and the For the Record newsletter.  Plus, Dan has spoken at various marine and insurance industry programs.. In his personal time, Dan enjoys traveling, reading, cycling and many other outdoor activities.  He lives in Lafayette, Louisiana, with his wife and two sons.

Dan Foley has been crafting winning Maritime and Offshore Accident cases for over 40 years. His meticulous preparation and thorough knowledge of the maritime industry make him an attorney that few opponents wish to tangle with. Other law firms regularly refer some of their toughest maritime cases to him for litigation.. Dan regularly sees the devastating physical and mental consequences to accident victims brought about by an industry that sees injured workers as little more than broken parts to be replaced as quickly and cheaply as possible. The severe pain, helplessness and depression suffered by seriously injured workers can tear families apart, even as employers routinely second guess their actions in order to win lawsuits.. Dan provides a high level of contact with his clients, regularly giving them clear updates on the progress of their case in this highly demanding and technical area of litigation. He builds winning cases designed to provide not only medical treatment and financial security for injured workers and their families, but also the vindication that his clients need in order to resume a normal life.. If you or a loved one has suffered injury because of the negligence of others, contact Dan now for a Free Case Evaluation.

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. Mr. Cambre has represented clients in state and federal courts in all aspects of litigation. He has handled numerous cases through mediation and court sponsored settlement conferences.

Cayce Peterson is a founding partner of JJC Law LLC, where he specializes in maritime, products liability, environmental and personal injury litigation. Cayce was born in Patterson, Louisiana in St. Mary Parish and grew up on the Bayou Teche. He moved to New Orleans to attend Tulane University and Tulane Law School. In his 10+ years of practice, Cayce has emerged as a skilled litigator, briefing and arguing important legal issues in the areas of maritime injury, insurance coverage, products liability, environmental and personal injury. Because of Cayce’s education in physics, mathematics and computer science as well as his lifetime of experience growing up around the offshore and inland oil and gas industry, Cayce has a unique understanding of technical, scientific and industry specific issues that often arise in maritime and environmental cases. Under mentor Hugh “Skip” Lambert, Cayce was the managing partner of The Lambert Firm, PLC, a high-powered maritime and environmental law firm in New Orleans, with which JCC Law regularly associates in maritime injury cases.. Outside of the office, Cayce leads the firm’s sponsored basketball team, known around town as “The Firm,” which is a perennial contender in each of the most competitive basketball leagues in the Greater New Orleans area. Cayce is also a frequent lecturer on various legal topics and an adjunct professor of trial advocacy at Tulane Law School, in addition to being an active member of many bar associations, public interest groups and community service organizations that provide pro bono and charitable services for the less fortunate, differently abled and under-privileged.

Bob Barbier practices in the areas of admiralty and tort litigation. He has litigated cases in all areas of maritime law and non-maritime products liability law in Louisiana, Mississippi and the territory of Guam, and has handled numerous appeals in the Louisiana Court system and before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. While he has litigated cases in all areas of maritime law, he generally represents owners, charterers, and/or underwriters in defense of personal injury claims, both blue and brown water, and cargo claims, as well as handling FD&D claims, ship construction disputes, Rule B attachments, dock damage, environmental, and Coast Guard matters.. Prior to joining Phelps Dunbar, he was with Terriberry, Carroll & Yancey LLP law firm in New Orleans.

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 terminal owners, and their underwriters in connection with collisions, allisions, wavewash/surge damage, groundings and salvage matters. He also represents general liability and marine underwriters with respect to coverage issues involving a broad range of marine, general liability and excess forms of coverage.. Mr. Riviere has attended numerous legal continuing education seminars focusing on civil litigation and the trial process, with a concentration primarily on admiralty matters. Included in this continuing training was a seminar presented at the United States Merchant Marine Academy at King’s Point focusing on collision and fire at sea.

Benjamin "Ben" Schupp is a member in the firm's New Orleans office, where he focuses his practice on admiralty and maritime law. Ben has special experience in vessel financing, vessel charters, marine construction and maritime lien issues.. Business. Ben has represented numerous banks, vessels and rig owners worldwide in financing the purchase or construction of vessels and oil rigs. In connection with such representation, Ben has drafted numerous construction contracts, sale agreements, charters, ship mortgages as well as various loan and registration documentation. He has handled vessel registration in registries throughout the world. Ben has significant experience in MARAD Title XI financing and financing through the Export-Import Bank of the United States, as well as financing through banking and private equity channels.. Representative Transactions. Litigation. Ben has represented U.S. and international underwriters, brokers and businesses in a wide variety of maritime, energy, casualty and commercial litigation in both state and federal courts. He has also represented vessel and rig owners in maritime and oil and gas disputes, including several cases leading to important decisions in these fields by the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Ben has drafted countless insurance coverage opinions in both the maritime and non-maritime context.. Sample of Litigation Resulting In Published Opinions

As a partner at Montgomery Barnett, L.L.P., New Orleans lawyer Philip S. Brooks Jr focuses his attention on admiralty litigation. He has 21 years of legal experience. Mr. Brooks has been recognized by his peers with the AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell®. Additionally, he has been selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers® from 2010 to 2014. Attorney Brooks is a graduate of the Tulane University Law School. He participates in numerous professional organizations including the Tulane Maritime Law Center Liaison Group, United States Maritime Law Association and Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute. For more information, contact his firm today.

André Mouledoux is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association where he serves in its House of Delegates. He is also a member of the New Orleans Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, Defense Research Institute, Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, Maritime Law Association of the United States and New Orleans Board of Trade. André has authored several law review articles. He has lectured law students in trial advocacy and has spoken at numerous marine industry seminars.

Alessandro Steinhaus is an attorney with Pusateri, Johnston, Guillot & Greenbaum, practicing in the area of admiralty and maritime litigation. His expertise includes a broad range of maritime matters, including Jones Act defense, maintenance and cure, limitation of liability actions, bunker disputes, and marine insurance coverage.. Prior to joining the firm, he gained extensive experience representing plaintiffs in complex litigation involving antitrust, mass tort, commercial, and class action lawsuits in both state and federal courts.. He speaks multiple languages fluently and is well-versed in international transactions and disputes. He has authored several articles for national and international legal publications in multiple languages, and he previously served as an intern to the Honorable Max N. Tobias, Jr., of the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

17-year Louisiana-licensed attorney with extensive experience clearing real estate titles through transactional and litigation practices, and with particular expertise in curing complex title defects, and quieting, clearing and insuring tax sale titles. Created a title insurance product to systematically insure tax titles; created and developed a due diligence business that has used this insurance product and process to clear, resolve or facilitated the sale of over 4,000 government-held, 15-year average delinquent tax sale properties, since 2015; co-developed and counseled the first national title insurance company dedicated to underwriting title insurance for tax sale titles.. Co-founded, developed and operated a specialized real estate title insurance company with a dedicated operation for handling transactions on tax sale properties for nine years.. Created the first tax sale title insurance product and corresponding underwriting process for Louisiana's title insurers, enabling local government and private investors for the first time to regularly transact business with tax sale properties with clear, insurable title; a product and process now adopted in 15 states.. Created, developed and trained all personnel to operate a business within a software company to market, clear title to and auction government-held, tax-delinquent real estate by utilizing the company's flagship software platform and the created tax sale title insurance product, a business through which, since 2015 over 4,000 such properties, averaging 15+ years of delinquency, have been returned to productive, tax-paying status, generating over $50M in unbudgeted revenue for local Louisiana governments. Briefed and orally argued the first reported case in Louisiana addressing the validity of the State's 2009-revised, tax sale scheme, which produced an adverse ruling, but one that was subsequently overruled n a different case by the State Supreme Court.. Additionally have served as an appointed member of the Louisiana State Law Institute on its Tax Sales Committee, through which, have co-drafted a complete overhaul of Louisiana’s current real estate tax collection statutes and constitutional provisions to be considered for legislative and constitutional adoption in 2020.. Also have served as one of eight legislative commissioners for the National Tax Lien Association, and have extensively presented and provided training on government tax sale processes to the Louisiana Judicial College, the Louisiana Law Institute, the Louisiana Legislature, Sheriffs’ Association, Police Jury and Municipal Associations, the National Association of County Collectors Treasurers & Finance Officers, the National Tax Lien Association, the Tennessee Association of Property Tax Professionals, the Tennessee Trustees Association, the Missouri County Collectors Association, the Arkansas Commission of State Lands, the Florida Tax Collectors Association and over a hundred County/Parish and municipal government bodies throughout Louisiana, Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Georgia, West Virginia, Ohio, Idaho, South Carolina, Florida, and Kansas.