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Practice Areas

LITIGATION

Litigation is a risky and unpredictable proposition that must be carefully managed. Clear communication between the client and the attorney is essential to develop the proper strategy for handling each case, as well as practical solutions to reduce risk and minimize related costs. At Sutterfield & Webb, we are committed to aggressively protecting your interests while listening to what you have to say, keeping you informed of what is happening, when it happens, and what the costs may be. We are also committed to the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution where practical in avoiding the expense and uncertainty of protracted litigation.

INSURANCE

The firm represents number of insurers and self-insured companies, both foreign and domestic, and advises on policy wordings, regulatory matters, new classes of business, and prospective insureds. Members of the firm are recognized experts in this field, and regularly author treatises, chair committees of professional associations, and speak before industry groups on insurance and liability issues. The firm serves as panel counsel to several national insurance companies to defend claims against their insureds throughout Louisiana.

COVERAGE LITIGATION

Sutterfield & Webb represents insurers in coverage litigation and direct actions. We have successfully tried coverage litigation to verdicts and have sustained those verdicts on appeal. On behalf of primary and excess insurers we monitor litigation being defended by assured’s counsel and supervise litigation being handled by others. We are very experienced in litigation alleging bad faith. We also represent and counsel insurer clients in matters involving the fiduciary responsibilities of directors and officers of financial institutions, hospitals, service entities, manufacturing concerns and municipalities. Our senior partner is one of only two Louisiana practitioners selected for inclusion in "The Guide to the World’s Leading Insurance and Reinsurance Lawyers,” and the only Louisiana practitioner listed in the Insurance Reinsurance Section of International Who’s Who Legal.

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

Our environmental law practice provides knowledgeable and practical advice to help our clients comply with fast changing environmental laws and regulations. Our members enjoy a reputation for providing cost-effective, creative and innovative solutions to complex legal problems.

COMPLEX LITIGATION AND CLASS ACTIONS

We are at the forefront of the evolving area of class actions and mass torts, including supervising complex litigation involving chemical and oil explosions, and mass torts involving lead paint, asbestosis, silicosis, toxic mold, breast implants, and infectious diseases. Our senior member served as chair of the Committee on Class Actions and Multi-Party Litigation of the International Association of Defense Counsel and continues his service on the Strategy Group on Mass Torts/Class Actions of Lawyers for Civil Justice.

PROPERTY INSURANCE

The firm consults with and defends insurers in first party coverage situations, particularly with respect to arson and flood claims, and matters involving the interpretation of policy wording. We also act for property insurers in claims brought against them by third parties and in subrogation claims brought by them against others.

PRODUCT LIABILITY

Sutterfield & Webb provides representation in litigation, and advises clients on commercial and regulatory matters involving the design and manufacture of products. Clients have ranged from national and regional manufacturers to local companies, and include manufacturers of asbestos and asbestos-containing products; automobiles, motorcycles and A.T.V.s; breast implants; farm machinery; marine engines, boilers and generators; medical products and devices; oil field and offshore equipment; paint; pesticides and herbicides; recreational boats; ship construction and repair; sports equipment; and swimming pools and diving boards.

PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY

Members of the firm defend a wide spectrum of medical and non-medical professionals. Our lawyers defend nurses; nursing home operators; psychologists; counselors; pharmacists; attorneys; and home health care professionals, in defense of claims of malpractice. Our lawyers have broad experience in representing insurers to evaluate coverage under professional liability policies, and also handle litigation involving insurance brokers and agents, real estate brokers, architects, engineers, surveyors and various consultants.

MARITIME AND ENERGY LAW

Our attorneys have extensive experience in handling a full range of admiralty matters in all major Louisiana ports and the Gulf South from Texas to Florida. Much of our practice of maritime law in this geographic area involves offshore oil and gas development. Our attorneys are experienced in immediate investigation of seaman personal injury accidents and catastrophic property damage. We appear before administrative agencies such as the U.S. Coast Guard, Minerals Management Service and the National Safety & Transportation Board. Our maritime lawyers are actively involved in the Maritime Law Association of the United States where one of our members chaired the Products Liability Committee.

EMPLOYMENT LAW

Our members represent public and private employers in all aspects of employment litigation, including employment discrimination, wrongful termination, sexual harassment, breach of contract and related claims. We provide employers with investigation, pre-litigation counseling, mediation of employment disputes and litigation expertise.

TOXIC TORTS

Our members defend cases alleging injury from diverse sources such as asbestos, silica, toxic mold, Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material ("NORMs") and Technologically Enhanced Radioactive Materials ("TERMs"). We have also defended cases and dealt with insurance coverages involving exposure to latex, talc, anhydrous ammonia, urea and other substances.

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