Attorneys

Seth A. Schmeeckle

Having earned a B.S. in Biochemistry and minors in Chemistry, Math, Psychology, and Zoology & Physiology in 1997 where he was also elected to Phi Beta Kappa, Mr. Schmeeckle's undergraduate educational work significantly developed his analytical and problem solving skills. Applying those skills during law school led Mr. Schmeeckle to earn a seat on the Louisiana Law Review from 1998-2000. Mr. Schmeeckle became a shareholder of the firm in 2006.

Mr. Schmeeckle's practice areas focus on the representation and counseling of insurance companies with an extensive background in managing mass tort litigation on behalf of large groups of insurers. He strives to provide his insurer clients with a focused and innovative solution to the most complex of issues.

Mr. Schmeeckle has developed a well-rounded liability coverage practice involving all claims arising under general liability policies and employer's liability/worker's compensation policies of insurance. Special focus in Mr. Schmeeckle's practice area concern construction defect coverage related litigation, and the additional insured issues associated with those claims. Additionally, he has significant experience in general liability coverage disputes involving environmental, toxic tort, and long-latent disease issues. Throughout his career, Mr. Schmeeckle has guided insurers through their litigation concerning the validity of various exclusions in liability policies, provided pre-litigation counseling, developed both reservation of rights letters and cost sharing agreements, litigated bad faith issues focused on demands for policy limits and the reasonability of settlements, and handled class actions. On occasion, Mr. Schmeeckle has been able to expand his coverage litigation into the admiralty realm.

Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Mr. Schmeeckle had the opportunity to represent several insurers in first-party coverage disputes under both homeowner and commercial policies arising out of storm losses. Mr. Schmeeckle extended his practice to Texas in 2010 to assist insurers with their Hurricane Ike litigation. Mr. Schmeeckle's first-party practice ranges from pre-litigation counseling, the taking of examinations under oath, and the handling of appraisals to litigating both residential and commercial property losses. Included in his first party practice is the litigation of key coverage issues surrounding the viability of the water damage exclusion, lack of coverage for felled trees which caused no damage, valued policy law issues, the proper methodology for calculating Business Income losses both generally and those associated with the actions of civil authority, and bad faith claims.

Mr. Schmeeckle has argued before both state and federal district courts, state appellate courts, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on behalf of his insurer clients.

Please click on the Matters of Note link on the left-hand column to view Mr. Schmeeckle's honors, publications, speeches and addresses, and other matters of interest.

E-Mail Address: sschmeeckle@lawla.com | Download vCard

Areas of Practice
Litigation

Bar Admissions
Louisiana
Texas

Education
Louisiana State University, B.S., 1997
Louisiana State University School of Law, J.D., 2000

Affiliations
American Bar Association
Federal Bar Association
Louisiana State Bar Association
New Orleans Bar Association

Matters of Note
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New Orleans Office
601 Poydras Street, Suite 2775
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
Phone: (504) 568-1990
Facsimile: (504) 310-9195

Baton Rouge Office
9311 Bluebonnet Blvd., Suite A
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70810
Phone: (504) 568-1990
Facsimile: (504) 310-9195