Recent Results:
- Pugh obtained a defense verdict on behalf of a supplier of asbestos-cement pipe in New Orleans. The supplier was the sole defendant at trial, and the case involved a plaintiff with advanced lung cancer. The verdict was upheld by the Court of Appeals.
- Pugh defended a longtime franchise client in a four-day arbitration proceeding. The arbitrator dismissed all of the claims against the client, and also required the Claimants to pay $444,962 in damages and attorneys’ fees. The arbitrator’s ruling was confirmed by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
- Pugh obtained an historically low jury verdict in an action against a former premises owner in an asbestos case. Again, the premises owner was the sole defendant at trial. Of that total verdict amount, the client was cast with a judgment which was resolved for less than half of the last settlement demand.
- Pugh represented an insurer in an asbestos case where issues involving timely “tender of defense,” and potential bad faith damages were addressed by the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Honors:
- A/V Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell (highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards)
- Louisiana Super Lawyers (2012–present)
- Best Lawyers in Louisiana (2014–present)
- Top Rated Attorneys in Mass Torts (American Lawyer, Martindale-Hubbell) (2014–present)
Speaking Engagements & Publications:
- Main Stage Speaker, “Update on the Epidemiology Regarding ‘Neighborhood Exposures’ and a ‘Case Report’ on the EPA’s Handling of an Asbestos ‘Superfund Site,’ ” DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar, Las Vegas, Nevada (November 2017)
- Speaker, “Preparing for your First Deposition,” Malcolm Monroe Federal Practice Seminar, New Orleans, Louisiana (December 2014)
- Author, “Extent of Privileged Communications Under Louisiana Code of Evidence,” New Orleans Bar Association, CLE Presentation (1999)
- Author, “Recent Developments in Louisiana Class Action Litigation,” New Orleans Bar Association, CLE Presentation (1996)
Practice Areas:
- Toxic Torts and Environmental Litigation
- Products Liability
- Class Actions
- Civil Litigation
Education:
- J.D., Louisiana State University Paul Hebert Law Center, 1985
- B.A., cum laude, Tulane University (Philosophy), 1981
- Phi Beta Kappa
- University of Wales (Philosophy), 1980
Admissions:
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana
- Supreme Court of Louisiana and all Louisiana state courts
- Supreme Court of Texas and all Texas state courts
Professional Associations and Memberships:
- Louisiana State Bar Association
- State Bar of Texas
- Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel
- International Association of Defense Counsel
- New Orleans Bar Association
