T. Justin Simpson

Justin Simpson joined the firm in 1988, became a partner in 1994, and became Of Counsel in 2024. Mr. Simpson’s practice includes insurance coverage and litigation and defense litigation, with particular emphasis on the maritime industry, the energy industry, and related engineering and shipping regulation issues. He also has significant experience with marine insurance coverage issues and formulation, negotiation, and litigation of vessel construction contracts and marine and energy service contracts. He has served as an arbitrator for vessel construction disputes.

Mr. Simpson has handled numerous cases involving property damage, personal injury and death, collisions, sinkings, groundings, cargo loss and damage, hull and machinery claims, marine salvage, workers’ compensation claims, and enforcement and defense of maritime liens. He has significant experience with marine and non-marine fire losses, and he has prosecuted substantial subrogation recovery claims on behalf of insurers and underwriters. He has tried or handled cases in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Illinois, Puerto Rico, Texas, and Virginia, and he has significant experience litigating complex multi-party lawsuits.

Mr. Simpson graduated magna cum laude from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering in 1979. After his graduation, he worked for a major shipyard and advanced through the corporation from staff naval architect to project engineer. During his career in the shipbuilding industry, he worked on diverse projects from oceangoing ships to offshore oilfield support vessels, from ocean tugs to inland towboats, and from passenger vessels to patrol boats to yachts. He then decided to pursue a career in law, and in 1987, he graduated from the Loyola University New Orleans College of Law where he was a member of the Loyola Law Review and received the American Jurisprudence Award.

Admitted Courts
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
U.S. District Court, Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Louisiana
U.S. District Court, Eastern and Southern Districts of Texas
Louisiana State Courts

Organizations
Louisiana State Bar Association; State Bar of Texas; American Bar Association; Federal Bar Association;Jefferson Parish Bar Association; Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel; Maritime Law Association of the United States; The Propeller Club of the United States; Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers; Defense Research Institute