JUDY BARRASSO

When facing complex commercial disputes, high-stakes class actions, or intricate insurance litigation in Louisiana, businesses and individuals alike require legal counsel that is not only highly skilled but also possesses a formidable reputation for achieving results. In New Orleans, Judy Barrasso stands as a preeminent figure in the legal community. As a founding member of Barrasso Usdin Kupperman Freeman & Sarver, L.L.C., she has built a distinguished career marked by her strategic prowess, exceptional trial advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to her clients. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of Judy Barrasso's practice, detailing her accessible downtown New Orleans location, the wide array of specialized services she offers, and the distinguishing features that make her an invaluable resource for the most challenging legal needs of the local community.

Ms. Barrasso's reputation as a "formidable trial lawyer" who "stands head and shoulders above much of the competition" is well-earned, as cited by prominent legal rankings like Chambers USA. Her expertise extends across a spectrum of commercial litigation, including complex commercial contracts, director and officer liability, securities fraud, and critical insurance coverage and bad faith claims. For locals, especially those operating businesses or dealing with significant financial or insurance-related legal challenges, understanding the depth of experience and the results-oriented approach that Ms. Barrasso brings to the table is crucial. She has successfully led the defense in thousands of class actions and coverage disputes, including those arising from major events like Hurricane Katrina, demonstrating her capability to handle matters of immense scale and complexity. We will delve into the specific areas of her practice, offering a clearer picture of how she serves the unique economic and legal environment of Louisiana.

From navigating the intricacies of multi-district litigation to successfully arguing before the Louisiana Supreme Court and the U.S. 5th Circuit, the legal challenges faced by businesses in Louisiana demand an attorney who is not only adept at law but also possesses a proven track record in the courtroom. Judy Barrasso exemplifies this, offering a professional yet highly effective approach that ensures clients receive tailored solutions and expert guidance. This piece is designed to be an informative resource, helping you connect with a local legal authority who is ready to address your complex commercial and litigation concerns with unparalleled expertise and a proven history of success.

Judy Barrasso's office, as a founding member of Barrasso Usdin Kupperman Freeman & Sarver, L.L.C., is strategically located in the bustling heart of New Orleans, ensuring excellent accessibility for clients throughout Louisiana. Her office is situated at 909 Poydras St #24 (or Suite 2350, as sometimes listed), New Orleans, LA 70112, USA. This address places her within the prominent First Bank and Trust Tower, a recognizable landmark in the city's central business district, a dynamic hub of commerce, legal activity, and historical significance.

For those commuting to the New Orleans office via public transportation, the Poydras Street location is exceptionally convenient, with numerous RTA bus stops just a very short walk away. This makes it straightforward for clients relying on public transit to attend consultations and meetings. If you prefer to drive, the downtown area provides various parking options, including several public parking garages and metered street parking nearby. While planning for parking is always advisable in a busy urban center, the abundance of choices helps facilitate client visits. The building itself is a distinguished part of the New Orleans skyline, making it simple to locate and identify.

Being positioned within the central business district also means that Ms. Barrasso's office is in close proximity to major legal and financial institutions, including state and federal courthouses. This central location fosters efficiency and seamless coordination for complex legal proceedings and interactions with other professionals involved in high-stakes commercial disputes. This strategic placement underscores her commitment to providing accessible and high-level legal services directly within the local economic nerve center of New Orleans.

Judy Barrasso is a founding member of Barrasso Usdin Kupperman Freeman & Sarver, L.L.C., and her practice primarily focuses on commercial litigation. She is renowned for handling complex civil cases throughout the country, but her local impact in Louisiana is particularly significant. Her services encompass a broad range of high-stakes legal matters, including:

• Commercial Litigation: This is the core of her practice, involving intricate disputes across various industries.

  • Complex Commercial Contracts: Handling litigation arising from breaches, interpretations, and disputes related to commercial agreements.

  • Director and Officer Liability: Representing corporations and their leadership in claims of fiduciary duty breaches and other corporate governance disputes.

  • Securities Fraud: Litigating cases involving allegations of misrepresentation or manipulation in securities transactions.

  • Unfair Trade Practices: Addressing claims related to deceptive or unfair business conduct.

  • Professional Liability: Defending professionals against claims of negligence or malpractice.

• Class Actions and Mass Tort Litigation: Managing large-scale litigation involving numerous plaintiffs.

  • Defense of Class Actions: Leading the defense for businesses and insurers in major class action lawsuits, including those stemming from natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina and multi-district litigation (MDL) related to issues like Chinese drywall.

  • Putative Class Actions: Handling potential class actions before they are certified.

• Insurance Law: Extensive expertise in insurance coverage and bad faith claims.

  • Insurance Coverage Disputes: Advising and representing insurers in disputes over policy coverage.

  • Bad Faith Claims: Defending insurers against allegations of acting in bad faith.

  • National Coordinating Counsel for Insurers: Overseeing and coordinating litigation for major insurers across multiple states, demonstrating her national reach and capability.

• Product Liability Litigation – Defendants: Representing manufacturers and distributors in cases involving alleged product defects.

• Appellate Practice: Handling appeals of trial court decisions to higher courts, demonstrating her proficiency in all stages of litigation.

• Environmental Litigation: Addressing disputes related to environmental regulations and liabilities.

Judy Barrasso's professional career is distinguished by a remarkable array of features and highlights that firmly establish her as one of Louisiana's leading litigators:

• Top-Tier Legal Rankings: She is consistently ranked among the elite in various prestigious legal directories. This includes being recognized in "The Best Lawyers in America®" since 2001, often named "Lawyer of the Year" in New Orleans for categories like Bet-the-Company Litigation and Insurance Law multiple times. "Louisiana Super Lawyers" has selected her annually since 2007, placing her among the "Top 10" overall lawyers in Louisiana and the "Top 25 Women Louisiana Super Lawyers." Chambers USA consistently ranks her as a top commercial litigator, noting her "reputation as a formidable trial lawyer" and that she "stands 'head and shoulders above much of the competition.'"

• Hall of Fame and Legend Status: She was inducted into the Lawdragon Hall of Fame in 2023 and named a Lawdragon Legend in 2020, recognizing her consistent selection to their elite guide over many years, a testament to a career of significant impact. She was also inducted into Tulane Law School's Hall of Fame in 2018.

• Exceptional Trial Lawyer and Advocate: Ms. Barrasso is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a Fellow and Past President of the International Society of Barristers – organizations that select members based on outstanding trial skills. Her extensive experience trying cases in over a dozen states, consistently securing defense verdicts in high-stakes cases, underscores her formidable courtroom presence.

• Leadership in the Legal Community: Her commitment to the legal profession is evident through her past roles as President of the New Orleans Bar Association and her service on the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board. She also serves as Second Vice President of the International Society of Barristers.

• Significant Contributions to Major Litigation: Judy Barrasso played a pivotal role as court-appointed Insurer Liaison Counsel in both Hurricane Katrina and Chinese Drywall litigation, demonstrating her capacity to manage and lead in large-scale, complex multi-district litigations that had profound impacts on Louisiana residents.

• Educator and Mentor: She has served as an adjunct professor at Tulane Law School and frequently lectures at continuing legal education programs, indicating her dedication to sharing her knowledge and fostering the next generation of legal talent.

• Community and Civil Rights Advocate: Ms. Barrasso is actively involved in civic leadership, including serving on the board of the Innocence Project New Orleans and the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. She received the prestigious Hannah G. Solomon Award for her work as an advocate for women's and civil rights, showcasing her broader commitment to social change.

Based on the publicly available information, Judy Barrasso and Barrasso Usdin Kupperman Freeman & Sarver, L.L.C., do not explicitly advertise specific ongoing promotions or special offers. As a leading law firm specializing in complex commercial litigation, their primary value proposition is built on their unparalleled expertise, extensive experience, and a formidable track record of success in high-stakes cases.

However, for a firm of this caliber, it is a common professional practice to offer an initial consultation. This meeting, which may be complimentary or involve a set fee, provides an invaluable opportunity for prospective clients to discuss their specific legal needs, receive an initial assessment of their situation, and understand how Ms. Barrasso's specialized services can best benefit them. During this consultation, fee structures and engagement terms are typically discussed with full transparency, ensuring clarity and trust from the outset.

To inquire about their consultation policy, specific service fees, or any potential arrangements that might suit your particular needs, it is highly recommended to directly contact Judy Barrasso's office using the provided contact information.

For businesses and individuals in Louisiana facing complex commercial disputes, class actions, or intricate insurance litigation, connecting with Judy Barrasso and her firm, Barrasso Usdin Kupperman Freeman & Sarver, L.L.C., is straightforward.

• Address: 909 Poydras St #24 (or Suite 2350), New Orleans, LA 70112, USA

• Phone: (504) 589-9700

• Mobile Phone: +1 504-589-9700

Prospective clients are advised to call during standard business hours to schedule an appointment or to inquire about Ms. Barrasso's specific practice areas and how she might assist with your legal matter. When contacting the office, it can be helpful to have a brief overview of your legal situation ready, allowing the team to efficiently direct your inquiry and determine the most appropriate next steps. Her office's prime location in downtown New Orleans ensures ease of access for in-person consultations.

For the businesses and individuals across Louisiana, particularly those navigating the turbulent waters of complex commercial disputes, large-scale class actions, or intricate insurance litigation within New Orleans, Judy Barrasso stands as an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended legal resource. Her suitability for locals is profoundly rooted in a powerful combination of strategic accessibility, unparalleled specialized expertise, and a demonstrated commitment to both her clients and the broader community.

Firstly, her office's central location at 909 Poydras St #24 (or Suite 2350) in the heart of New Orleans' central business district offers significant practical advantages for local clients. This prime downtown address ensures easy access via various transportation methods, simplifying the logistical aspects of legal consultations. Crucially, being situated within this commercial and legal hub places Ms. Barrasso in immediate proximity to major courts, financial institutions, and business entities, facilitating seamless and efficient handling of high-stakes litigation directly within the city's economic nerve center.

Secondly, and most critically, Ms. Barrasso's extensive and highly recognized expertise directly addresses the sophisticated legal needs prevalent in Louisiana's dynamic commercial landscape. Her consistent recognition as a top-tier litigator by leading legal directories, coupled with her status as a "Lawyer of the Year" and her induction into prestigious legal halls of fame, are not mere accolades; they are compelling evidence of her profound capability. For locals, this translates into having an attorney with a proven track record of successfully handling the most challenging and impactful cases, including those arising from events deeply affecting Louisiana, such as Hurricane Katrina. Whether it's a complex contract dispute, a class action, or a critical insurance coverage matter, her "formidable trial lawyer" reputation ensures clients have a powerful advocate on their side who understands the intricacies of both federal and Louisiana law.

Furthermore, Ms. Barrasso's active leadership within the legal community (including past presidency of the New Orleans Bar Association) and her dedication to civic and pro bono initiatives, such as her work with the Innocence Project New Orleans and the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, underscore her deep commitment to the well-being of the Louisiana community. This connection fosters a more nuanced understanding of local issues, allowing her to provide legal solutions that are not only technically sound but also culturally and economically astute to the specific context of our state. For locals, this means engaging with an attorney who is not just an expert in her field, but also a respected leader and a significant contributor to the community.

In conclusion, Judy Barrasso offers an unparalleled combination of convenient local access, profound specialized knowledge in complex commercial litigation, and a strong, demonstrated commitment to the community she serves. For businesses and individuals in Louisiana seeking robust, strategic, and locally attuned legal counsel in their most challenging disputes, she stands as an outstanding and reliable choice.