Duplass, A Professional Law Corporation

HB337, awaiting the Governor's signature, is also big news for Louisiana's insurance industry!

It has been a busy legislative session for the Louisiana insurance industry, including the recent passage of four bills aimed at creating a more industry-friendly climate in Louisiana. Of particular note is SB323/Act 3 addressing loss adjustment and claims processing timelines and practices. The full text of the Act, effective July 1, 2024, can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gtG7Xf8m

A few years ago, I wrote a piece for the La. Bar Journal about defense and indemnity in construction cases, and whether claims against subcontractors for D&I were ripe or premature. For years, district and appellate courts have issued conflicting rulings on the issue, so litigants faced very little certainty when filing their third-party demands. Today, the Supreme Court has resolved the issue, ruling that such claims are not premature, which I believe is the sensible outcome in that it preserves third-party practice. It seems me and my fellow construction practitioners will have to find something new to fight about ... but have no fear, we're lawyers, that's our specialty :)

Please join us in welcoming our newest attorneys to the firm - Akuda Esin, Ryan Hall, and Megan LeBlanc!

Congratulations to Duplass attorney, Raven Fielding, on being selected to join the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel , an invitation-only organization of peer-reviewed leaders in the civil defense, corporate legal, and insurance industries!

Another decision from the Louisiana Supreme Court that confirms a trial court has no discretion to side-step the MSJ opposition deadline. Also, the Court again makes clear that a trial court cannot continue the MSJ hearing deadline to circumvent the opposition deadline. The LASC granted a writ on the continuance after the appeals court denied writs. https://lnkd.in/gvNshbZk

Duplass, A Professional Law Corporation is hiring! If you are an experienced attorney looking for a new opportunity, we invite you to reach out to us at careers@duplass.com and apply to join our growing team!

Congratulations to Duplass attorney, Allyson Colomb, on her recent trial victory in Houma, LA! Allyson was able to secure a full recovery for property damage losses on behalf of the client, one of Louisiana’s largest property insurers.  

Please join me in congratulating our attorneys that have been named to the 2024 edition of Louisiana Super Lawyers and Rising Stars - Andrew Weinstock, Joseph Glass, Kelly Bogart, Peter M. Gahagan, and Christopher Meeks!

Notable decision from the Louisiana Supreme Court: The ten-year "bad-faith" prescriptive period (announced by a 2019 decision) can be limited by a contractual limitations period in an insurance policy. This decision clarifies that the 2019 decision has limited applicability because most first party policies describe limitations periods. I recall there was some confusion about the effect of the 2019 decision, so this decision is helpful. #louisianalaw #badfaith #insurance