Maritime Law Lawyers in Louisiana

Maritime Law in Louisiana: from river ports to the Gulf

The Port of South Louisiana covers 54 miles of the Mississippi River in St. Charles, St. John the Baptist and St. James parishes, the Port of New Orleans is a deepwater port near the Gulf, and the Port of Lake Charles lies on the Calcasieu Ship Channel. Admiralty law governs much of what happens on these waters, from crew injuries to unpaid shipyard bills, and it runs on its own federal rules. This page lists 44 attorneys and law firms in Louisiana who handle maritime and admiralty matters.

What maritime lawyers handle

• Injury and death claims. Seamen, longshore and harbor workers, and offshore platform workers each have different remedies under federal law.
• Commercial disputes. Cargo damage, collisions, charters, towage, and vessel sales and financing.
• Maritime liens. A provider of necessaries ordered by the owner or a person the owner authorized, such as repairs, supplies or towage, gets a lien on the vessel and may sue the vessel itself in rem.
• Vessel arrest. A federal court can order a vessel arrested; the owner can win its release by posting security.

State court or federal court

• Saving to suitors. Admiralty cases belong to federal courts, but the "saving to suitors" clause lets many claims against a person or company go to state court.
• Actions against a vessel. In rem cases, including lien enforcement and arrest, stay in federal court.
• Jones Act suits. A seaman may sue in state court, and the case generally cannot be removed to federal court.

Three federal districts

Louisiana is split into the Eastern District (New Orleans and Houma), the Middle District (Baton Rouge) and the Western District, with courthouses in Alexandria, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe and Shreveport. Cases from Metairie and Hammond belong to the Eastern District; Lake Charles cases go to the Western. Injury claims under general maritime law usually must be filed within three years.

This page is general information, not legal advice.

How to Choose a Maritime Law Lawyer in Louisiana

• Check the license. Every attorney admitted in Louisiana can be looked up through the Louisiana State Bar Association, together with any public discipline. Do it before the first meeting.
• Ask about maritime law cases specifically. General practice is not the same as a track record in your type of matter: ask how many similar cases the lawyer handled recently and how they ended.
• Local courts matter. Procedures, filing practice and judges differ from county to county even within Louisiana. Ask whether the lawyer regularly appears in the courts that will hear your case.
• Get the fee agreement in writing. Hourly rate, flat fee or contingency, what counts as costs, and what happens if the case ends early — all of it should be on paper before work starts.
• Compare several profiles. 44 maritime law attorneys in Louisiana are listed here, with the largest groups in Lafayette, Baton Rouge and Alexandria. Profiles carry direct contacts, so you can reach two or three of them without an intermediary.