Experience

Lugenbuhl, Wheaton, Peck, Rankin & Hubbard

• United States
• Law Practice
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Attorney

  • Dec 2018 - Present



Fowler Rodriguez LLP

• Partner

  • Jan 2010 - Dec 2018

  Representative cases include: • Defense verdict against a seaman allegedly injured on a crane barge when the boom of the crane failed and crashed into the deck of the barge. Trial court found the plaintiff’s credibility was so poor that his uncorroborated testimony of how his injury occurred was insufficient to carry his burden of proof. • Dismissal of class action filed by residents of community affected when a local bridge was struck by a tug and tow; the class lacked standing to pursue damages under Robins Drydock. • Dismissal of all claims against a tug boat company arising out of the collapse of a concrete column during construction of bridge, including personal injuries and wrongful death claims, by proving there was no evidence the tug made any contact with the column before it collapsed. • Use of AIS data to show seaman’s contention that a passing vessel generated a large wake causing him to slip and fall was not credible, resulting in favorable settlement. • Overcame presumption of fault under the Oregon rule to secure a favorable verdict for tug and tow that allided with a stationery dredge. The court found the dredge violated multiple Rules of the Road and assessed it with 70% fault, with 15% comparative fault assigned to co-defendant/picket vessel.



Balch & Bingham LLP

• United States
• Law Practice
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Partner

  • Jan 2007 - Jan 2010

  Representative cases include:• Proved a Jones Act seaman was addicted to prescription pain medication before his alleged accident and injury aboard vessel by demonstrating each day he departed vessel for leave corresponded with an appointment with his pain physician, and his complaints of pain were embellished to secure pain medication from new physicians, leading to favorable settlement• Secured a favorable ruling from the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upholding a choice of law clause in a maritime hull policy covering a 48’ fishing vessel, resulting in the application of the general maritime law or New York law, rather than Mississippi law. • Compelled a Jones Act seaman to participate in binding arbitration in accordance with his employment agreement, despite exception for seaman claims under the Federal Arbitration Act. Court of Appeals recognized the FAA did not preclude the application of state arbitration laws. • Won a motion to transfer venue from Texas to Alabama in dispute over a contract for the sale of biodiesel.



Daigle, Crawford & Jamison

• Partner

  • Mar 2000 - Jan 2007

  Representative cases include:• Dismissal of oilfield service contractor in oilfield contamination lawsuit on basis there was no privity of contract between the plaintiff and the contractor, and the plaintiff could not identify any tort duty owed by contractor. • Defense of well control company in connection with fire and explosion aboard an offshore drilling rig against allegations its well control efforts ignited flammable vapors from wellbore.• Defense of well testing company in connection with fire and explosion aboard offshore drilling rig against allegations it mislabeled an Emergency Shut Down device that prevented control of well after a blowout.• Dismissal of defamation action filed by former U.S. Congressman against treasurer of his campaign committee on basis that alleged defamatory statements were expressions of subjective opinion that could neither be true nor false.



Broussard, David & Daigle

• Partner

  • Oct 1995 - Mar 2000



Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr & Smith

• United States
• Law Practice
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Associate Attorney

  • Aug 1991 - Oct 1995



Honorable William P. Polk, Judge 9th Judicial District, Parish of Rapides

• Judicial Law Clerk

  • Aug 1990 - Aug 1991