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 [...]

Bellard v. ATK Constr., LLC, 2022-01715 (La. 6/27/23): Tort Indemnity is a Bygone Era in Recent Louisiana Supreme Court Ruling Authors: Christopher K. LeMieux and Trey Talley The Louisiana Supreme Court recently held that a suit alleging liability of a defendant arising solely as a result of its own negligence or fault cannot support the defendant’s claim for tort indemnity. [...]

Contractual Duties and Construction Site Safety – Court's Differential Rulings in Bonilla concerning the Duty Owed by an Engineering Consultant. Authors: Jon Forester and Jennifer Mura Bonilla v. Verges Rome Architects, 2022-CA-0802, 2023 WL 3371562 (La. App. 4 Cir. 5/11/23), --- So.3d ----. The Fourth Circuit issued a contrasting opinion regarding the duty owed by an engineering consultant compared to [...]

Christopher LeMieux, founding partner of Riess LeMieux, recently addressed “When Should a Construction Firm Use Liens or Other Methods To Secure the Right To Payment of its Costs and Fees From an Owner?” in Construction Executive’s Insights From Leaders in Construction Law. This was part of the 2023 Construction Executive Top 50 Construction Law FirmsTM issue. Riess LeMieux is the [...]

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Riess LeMieux Partner, Liz Lambert, is being recognized by New Orleans CityBusiness and will be named to their 2023 Leadership in Law Class. This special publication recognizes area professionals in the field of law for their career and community accomplishments. Leadership in Law honors legal professionals in the New Orleans area in the following categories; court-associated, [...]

Bonilla v. Verges Rome Architects, 2022-0625 (La. App. 4 Cir. 5/11/23), 2023 WL 3371559. "Contractual Duties and Construction Site Safety – Court determines Architect’s awareness Creates Question of Fact as to the Duty Owed to Injured Worker." The plaintiff, Gustavo Bonilla sustained injuries while working as a subcontractor on a construction renovation project for The City of New Orleans (the [...]