Georges M. Legrand, Senior Counsel
Senior Counsel Georges Legrand is one of the founding members of MBLB. He has more than 43 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 experience includes all aspects of brown water and offshore marine operations. He routinely defends serious personal injury and death claims arising under the Jones Act, the General Maritime Law, Section 905(b) of the Longshore and Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, and the Death on the High Seas Act. He also handles collision cases, pipeline damage cases, fleet breakaways, multiple types of marine and construction contracts, both inland and offshore, and marine insurance issues.
Georges’ clients have ranged from international Fortune 50 companies to national insurers to local businesses. He represents barge owners and operators, towboat companies, line haul operators, stevedores, fleets, terminals and pipeline construction companies as well as marine underwriters. His offshore clients have included natural resource exploration companies, vessel operators, and construction companies. Georges regularly makes presentations to his insurance and commercial clients on risk management, insurance coverage and contractual liability.
As supported by the peer honors he has received, including Super Lawyers, The Best Lawyers in America, New Orleans CityBusiness Leadership in Law Hall of Fame (an honor he received after being selected for Leadership in Law three times) and New Orleans Magazine Top Lawyers, Georges has developed a reputation as one of the top attorneys in admiralty and maritime law and transportation law. He has held a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating from his peers for more than 30 years. He also holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating from the Judiciary, the highest honor the organization bestows on an attorney based on the confidential opinions of members of the judiciary familiar with their work.
Born and raised in New Orleans, as one of nine children Georges learned the value of conscientiousness and teamwork at an early age. He worked in the offshore boat industry during college, giving him insight into common issues that can arise from marine transportation. He is known for representing his clients with integrity and professionalism, and goes above and beyond to resolve their issues on the best possible terms. “Given the unexpected in the marine industry, I am available 24/7 to my clients and take the time to develop long-term relationships with them. Their business is important to me.”
Georges is a member of the American Bar Association and Past Vice Chair of the ABA Admiralty and Maritime Law Committee of the Torts and Insurance Practice Section. He served as a founder and Chairman of the Offshore Marine Service Association’s industry seminar from 1995-2015. Over the years, he has spoken at maritime and casualty law seminars throughout the country, including the U.S. Coast Guard Open Forum and Greater New Orleans Barge Fleeting Association.
He believes that being a member of the community is an important part of his practice of law. He has been highly involved with his church and in 2005 received the Order of St. Louis Medallion, awarded by the Archdiocese of New Orleans for outstanding service. He continues to be involved in various ministries. In his spare time, he enjoys many activities, including following the Saints and college football and travelling with his wife and four children.
Professional Activities
- American Bar Association, Member; Past Vice Chair, Admiralty and Maritime Law Committee of the Torts and Insurance Practice Section
- Federal Bar Association, Member
- Louisiana State Bar Association, Member
- Maritime Law Association, Member
- Offshore Marine Service Association, Chairman, Legal Subcommittee (1995-2015)
- Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Member
- Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, Member
- Louisiana Association of Self-Insured Employers, Member
- Mariner’s Club Port of New Orleans, Member
Recognition
- Martindale-Hubbell AV-Preeminent (30 years)
- Martindale-Hubbell AV-Preeminent – By Judiciary
- Louisiana Super Lawyers – Transportation/Maritime (2014-2023)
- The Best Lawyers in America – Admiralty & Maritime Law (2023)
- New Orleans CityBusiness “Leadership in Law” (2007, 2017, 2021); Hall of Fame (2021)
- New Orleans Magazine Top Lawyers – Admiralty and Maritime Law (2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
Panels and Presentations
- Presenter, Multiple Marine Issues, RLI Insurance Company, National Marine Unit Meeting, Nashville (September 2019)
- Founding Chairman/Moderator, Industry Seminar, Offshore Marine Service Association (2006-2015)
- Presenter, “Marine Insurance Policies,” OMSA, Legal Forum, New Orleans (November 2008)
- Presenter, U.S. Coast Guard Open Forum, New Orleans (November 2007)
- Presenter, “Seaman Status,” OMSA Legal Forum, New Orleans (November 2006)
- Presenter, “OSHA and the Marine Operator,” New Orleans (February 2002)
- Presenter, “Investigating the Vessel Sinking,” Greater New Orleans Barge Fleeting Assoc. River & Marine Ind. (September 1995)
- Presenter, “Employer/Employee Dispute Resolution,” Offshore Marine Service Association Seminar, New Orleans (March 1995)
- Presenter, “Seaman Status,” Offshore Marine Service Association Seminar, New Orleans (March 1994)
- Presenter, “Recent Court Decisions: An Update on the Maritime Law,” Greater New Orleans Barge Fleeting Assoc. River & Marine Ind. (September 1989)
- Presenter, “Contractual Liability and Associated Risk,” Greater New Orleans Barge Fleeting Assoc. River & Marine Ind. (September 1985)
Publications
- Fifth Circuit Symposium-Admiralty, 33 Loy. L. Rev. 535 (1987)
Civic and Community
- Recipient of the Order of St. Louis Medallion (awarded by the Archdiocese of New Orleans for outstanding service to the church)
- St. Catherine of Siena Church, Past Chairman of the Pastoral Council and service in multiple ministries
- Usher’s Society, President
Representative Reported Cases
- Jackson v. Chem Carriers, L.L.C., 2022-0043 (La. App. 1 Cir. 11/04/22); 2022 AMC 395, 2022 WL 16708266, writ denied, 2022-01770 (La. 02/14/23); 2023 WL 1988824
- In re Larry Doiron, Inc., 879 F.3d 568 (5th Cir. 2018)
- Deperrodil v. Bozovic Marine Inc., 842 F.3d 352 (5th Cir. 2016)
- In Re Mid-South Towing Co., 418 F.3d 526, 2005 AMC 1894 (5th Cir. 2005)
- Kersey v. American River Transp. Co., 353 F.Supp.2d 683 (E.D. La. 2004)
- Williams v. Williams, 99-2156 (La. App. 4 Cir. 11/8/00), 774 So.2d 296
- Tidewater Marine, Inc. v. Sanco Intern.,, 113 F.Supp.2d 987 (E.D. La. 2000)
- Burchett v. Cargill, Inc., 48 F.3d 173 (5th Cir. 1995)
- Brue v. Riverway Co., 94-185 (La. App. 5 Cir 9/27/94), 643 So.2d 1312
- Tarver v. Eckstein Marine Serv., 93-796 (La. App 5 Cir. 2/23/94), 633 So.2d 764
- Resler v. Sub Sea Int’l, Inc., 624 So.2d 764 (La. App 4 Cir. 1993)
- In re Cooper/T-Smith, et al, 929 F.2d 1073 (5th Cir. 1991)
- Bourgeois v. Puerto Rican Marine Mgmt., Inc., 589 So.2d 1226 (La. App 4 Cir 1991)
- Giroir v. Theriot, 513 So.2d 1166 (La. 1987)
- Book v. Nordrill, Inc., 826 F.2d 1457 (5th Cir. 1987)
- Wright v. Ocean Drilling and Exploration Co., 461 So.2d 1084 (La. App 4 Cir. 1984)
- Delatte v. Roome, 432 So.2d 914 (La. App 1 Cir. 1983)
- Benjamin v. United States Steel Corp., 396 So.2d 332 (La. App 4 Cir. 1981)
- Guedry v. Fireman’s Fund Ins. Co., 392 So.2d 165 (La. App 1 Cir. 1981)
Articles by Georges M. Legrand
- Georges Legrand and Trevor Cutaiar Win Appeal – Welding Foreman Not a Seaman -
- Robin’s Dry Dock Does Not Bar Subrogation Claim by Insurer -
- Owner of Fishing Vessel Allowed to Limit Liability But Must Include Value of Scallop Permit in Limitation Fund -
- Jones Act Status Limited – Land-Based Welder Not a Seaman -
- MBLB Wins Summary Dismissal of Negligence and Unseaworthiness Claims -
Read more posts by Georges M. Legrand