Attitude Adjustment: USDC Sanctions Defense Counsel To Mandatory CLE For Misconduct at Deposition of Co-Defendant’s CEO

Magistrate Judge Michael North of the Eastern District of Louisiana recently awarded unusual sanctions in a discovery motion. The issue presented was alleged misconduct... More

5th Circuit Rules That Offshore Floating Oil and Gas Platform Moored on the OCS Floor Is Not a Vessel and Not Subject to Maritime Lien

A recent “unpublished”  decision from the U.S. Fifth Circuit addressed the issue of whether a maritime lien can attach to on offshore floating production platform.  In... More

Clean Water Act: EPA Assesses Pollution Fines and Penalties Against South Louisiana Marine Transportation Company

$525,000 in fines and penalties was assessed recently against an area tug operator/shipyard following its guilty plea earlier this year.  Cenac Towing Co. was... More

BP Oil Spill: Louisiana Fourth Circuit rules that Oyster Damage Claims arising out of Louisiana Emergency Coastal Protection Response must be tried in Baton Rouge; Case transferred from Plaquemines Parish

Following the massive BP oil spill, the State of Louisiana sought to protect a portion of its wetlands by constructing a massive “sand berm”... More

Deepwater Horizon: Contractual Indemnity for Gross Negligence or Punitive Damages?

U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier recently rendered a very important ruling in the Deepwater Horizon/BP Oil Spill suit that relates to the enforceability of... More

Maintenance and Cure: Seaman Who Refuses Light Duty Assignment Forfeits Right to Maintenance

District Judge Carl Barbier of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of  Louisiana issued a notable opinion last July in the context... More