Preis PLC

Our Firm was formed over 40 years ago in Lafayette, Louisiana. Originally, the principal focus of our practice was in the marine and energy sector, which continues to be a major part of our practice today. We have received the highest possible rating from Martindale-Hubbell (AV), the leading source of information for the legal profession for more than 130 years. Over the years, we have been involved in many major maritime casualties concerning wrongful death, personal injury, property damage, and business interruption or lost profits claims. We have handled numerous oil and gas well blow-outs, down-hole property claims, both offshore and onshore, and refinery damage cases. We also have a wealth of experience in defending Jones Act claims, and in handling issues involved with the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act.

As a corollary to our marine and energy practice, we also have extensive experience in the areas of contractual indemnity and insurance. One of our Senior Partners, Edwin Preis was the co-author of the Louisiana Oilfield Indemnity Act back in the early '80's. We have reviewed literally thousands of contracts and insurance policies over the years, and have earned the reputation of being well-versed in this area of the law. We also regularly negotiate marine contracts for various marine interests.

Over the years, as our reputation and exposure to other insurers expanded, so did our practice, into the non-marine or general casualty arena. Currently, we represent clients in suits involving such diverse areas as industrial casualties, automobile liability, trucking liability, road construction liability, environmental exposures, products liability, public entity liability, civil rights, employment law, and contract and construction litigation.

We also work extensively with professionals and their insurance carriers regarding professional liability claims against accountants; architects; design professionals; directors and officers; doctors, hospitals, and allied health professionals; engineers; and insurance agents.

We also represent clients involving claims against care providers of individuals with mental and physical disabilities, care providers of individuals seeking treatment for addiction, and care providers of non-school aged children.

We also have vast experience representing clients in general business disputes and litigation, representing clients with disputes in the fields of securities and financial services, and representing clients in the area of franchise law.

In recent years, we have also developed a rather large practice in handling first party property and bad faith liability cases which resulted from Hurricanes Ivan, Katrina, Rita, Gustav, and Ike. These claims, both offshore and onshore, have involved significant sums.

In many of these cases, clients requested coverage opinions from the Firm. We therefore have a number of attorneys in our Firm who spend significant time dealing with coverage and contractual indemnity issues, with consequent case monitoring where needed.

Our Firm has fully staffed offices in Lafayette, New Orleans, and Houston, and is able to provide legal representation along the entire Gulf Coast from Texas to Florida. Our Firm is capable of handling emergency response to problems outside normal business hours. Our attorneys are always on-call 24/7 and are available to conduct on-site accident investigations wherever needed.

Practice Areas	No. of Attorneys
Litigation	4