L&A Contracting Company v. State of Louisiana, et.al. 2023 WL 5281846 Recent First Circuit Decisions Holds Payment Bond Surety Liable Despite Release of Lien Bond Filing Authors: Michael S. Blackwell and Robyn A. Brown The Louisiana First Circuit’s recent ruling on public works project involving the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (“DOTD”) found that even when a release of [...]

Planet Construction J2911, LLC v. Gemini Insurance Co., 2023 WL 4697602 (W.D. La. 7/21/23) Authors: Robert W. Tschirn and Michael Levatino The United States District Court for The Western District of Louisiana recently found that a commercial general liability policy did not provide coverage for the subcontractor’s defective work; however, the policy did provide coverage for the resulting damage arising [...]

August 17th, 2023 - Riess LeMieux is pleased to announce that Michael R.C. Riess, Christopher K. LeMieux, Jonathan S. Forester, and Michael S. Blackwell have been named to the 2024 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America. M. Robert C. Riess has been named 2024 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch. The Best Lawyers in America [...]

August 16, 2023 - Riess LeMieux is pleased to welcome Michelle Riviere to the firm as an associate in New Orleans. Michelle’s primary areas of practice are construction litigation, commercial litigation, and insurance coverage and defense. Prior to joining Riess LeMieux, Michelle served as a judicial clerk to the Honorable Marilyn C. Castle at the 15th Judicial District Court of [...]

Riess LeMieux is pleased to welcome Jace Weber to the firm as an associate in New Orleans. Jace practices primarily in the areas of construction law and has extensive transactional experience.   Prior to joining the firm, he served as Corporate Counsel for a prominent nationwide specialty contractor. In this role, he communicated key contractual risks associated with construction and engineering [...]

First Baptist Church of Iowa Louisiana v. Church Mutual Insurance Co. SI, 2:21-CV-02472, 2023 WL 4423531 (W.D. La. July 10, 2023) The Western District Penalizes Insurance Company for Pattern of Systemic Bad Faith Handling of Claims under La. R.S. 22:1892. By Christopher K. LeMieux and Mary Claire Kramer In First Baptist Church of Iowa Louisiana v. Church Mutual Insurance Co. [...]

Authors: Christopher K. LeMieux, Liz Lambert, and Mary Claire Kramer Act No. 329 (SB No. 83) – Change Orders in Public Contracts made pursuant to R.S. 38:2212(M) now must contain itemized documentation as to equipment used and labor costs. Further, unit price change orders must be submitted to the designer of record. With the passage of this law, there are [...]

JMA Painters, LLC v. The McDonnel Group, LLC and Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America, 2023 WL 4530114 (La. App. 4 Cir. 7/13/2023) Failure to Timely Challenge Arbitration Jurisdiction Can Waive Objections Authors: Michael S. Blackwell and Hannah M. Marler The Fourth Circuit in JMA Painters, LLC v. McDonnel Group, LLC et al, upheld an arbitration award because the [...]