Beth Abramson
Ms. Beth E. Abramson
Lewis, Kullman, Sterbcow & Abramson, LLC
Graduated from Tulane Law School in 2001. After graduating, clerked for the Honorable Catherine "Kitty" Kimball with the Louisiana Supreme Court. Went on to practice defense work (personal injury defense work for various corporations) for approximately 10 years. Then switched to plaintiff's work and have been practicing plaintiff's work for the last 10 years with emphasis on maritime personal injury. Have held numerous leadership positions with the American Bar Association, Louisiana State Bar Association, and Louisiana Association of Justice.
W. Davis
Judge W. Eugene Davis
U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
THE HONORABLE W. EUGENE DAVIS is a graduate of Tulane Law School, receiving an L.L.B. degree in 1960. He received his undergraduate degree from Samford University and also attended the University of Alabama. Judge Davis is married to the former Celia Chalaron. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Maritime Law Association of the United States and the Louisiana Bar Association. Judge Davis served as a United States District Judge for the Western District of Louisiana, 1976-1983. He was appointed United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit on November 16, 1983, and entered on duty December 9, 1983. Judge Davis was appointed as a member of the Advisory Committee on Criminal Rules on October 1, 1995. He became Chairman of this Committee on October 1, 1997 and served as Chairman until October 2001 when his term of service ended. Judge Davis received the prestigious 2014 American Inns of Court Professionalism Award for the Fifth Circuit at the American Inns of Court Celebration of Excellence held at the Supreme Court of the United States in October of 2014. Judge Davis was inducted into the Tulane Law School Hall of Fame in March of 2015. In September, 2017, Judge Davis was honored as the “Distinguished Jurist Lafayette Parish Bar Association Hall of Fame” and in April, 2018, Judge Davis was also honored as the “2017 Distinguished Jurist” by the Louisiana Bar Foundation.
J. Neale deGravelles
Mr. J. Neale Neale deGravelles
Walters, Thomas, Cullens, LLC
J. Neale deGravelles is Special Counsel at the Baton Rouge firm of Walters, Thomas, Cullens LLP. Neale’s practice exclusively involves representing plaintiffs and small businesses in civil litigation. He graduated from Louisiana State University Law School with honors (Order of the Coif/Tullis-Herget Scholarship). He has previously served as the chair of the American Association for Justice’s Maritime Practice Section.

Neale has spoken and written extensively in the area of maritime law including: “The Deepwater Horizon Rig Disaster: Issues of Personal Injury and Death” Tulane Law Review Deepwater Horizon Symposium (2011) and “Uncertainty in Vessel Status After Lozman v. Riviera Beach, Florida: An Analysis and Review of Recent Developments” Loyola University New Orleans Maritime Law Journal, Volume 15; Fall 2014.
J. Neale deGravelles is Special Counsel at the Baton Rouge firm of Walters, Thomas, Cullens LLP. Neale’s practice exclusively involves representing plaintiffs and small businesses in civil litigation. He graduated from Louisiana State University Law School with honors (Order of the Coif/Tullis-Herget Scholarship). He has previously served as the chair of the American Association for Justice’s Maritime Practice Section.

Neale has spoken and written extensively in the area of maritime law including: “The Deepwater Horizon Rig Disaster: Issues of Personal Injury and Death” Tulane Law Review Deepwater Horizon Symposium (2011) and “Uncertainty in Vessel Status After Lozman v. Riviera Beach, Florida: An Analysis and Review of Recent Developments” Loyola University New Orleans Maritime Law Journal, Volume 15; Fall 2014.
Stuart Duncan
Judge Stuart Kyle Duncan
U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
The Honorable S. Kyle Duncan received his B.A. from Louisiana State University in 1994, his J.D. from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University in 1997, and his LL.M. from Columbia Law School in 2004. After graduating from law school, he clerked for Louisiana-based Circuit Judge John Malcolm Duhé Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. From 2008–2012, Duncan served as Appellate Chief for Louisiana's Attorney General's office. From 2012–2014, he served as general counsel of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. From 2004-2008, he was an assistant professor of law at the University of Mississippi School of Law. Before becoming a judge, Duncan practiced at the Washington, D.C. firm of Schaerr Duncan LLP, where he was a founding partner. He was appointed by President Trump to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on May 1, 2018.
Michael Ecuyer
Mr. Michael J. Ecuyer
Gainsburgh, Benjamin, David, Meunier & Warshauer, L.L.C.
Michael J. Ecuyer, a partner in the law firm of Gainsburgh, Benjamin, David, Meunier & Warshauer, L.L.C., is engaged in general civil litigation practice, with an emphasis on the representation of plaintiffs in medical malpractice claims, admiralty matters, mass torts, and general casualty claims.
A member of the Louisiana State Bar Association, the New Orleans Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association, and the Louisiana Association for Justice. Michael is also a member of the Health Law and Medical Malpractice sections of the LSBA, NOBA, and the LAJ. From 2012 -2014, he served as the Chair of the New Orleans Bar Association’s Health Law Committee and from 2014 – 2015 he was the Chair of the LAJ Medical Malpractice Section.
Michael attended Tulane University, earning a B.A. in Political Economics, and in 1994, he received a Juris Doctor from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at L.S.U. He is a member of the Tulane Inn of Court, serves on the Executive Committee of the New Orleans Chapter of the Federal Bar Association as President Elect; he is a hearing officer on the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board and volunteers as an Assistant Bar Examiner. Over the years, he has spoken at numerous Continuing Legal Education Seminars on various topics.
Thomas Galligan
Professor Thomas C. Galligan Jr.
Professor
Louisiana State University
https://www.law.lsu.edu/
Thomas C. Galligan Jr. is a law professor at LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center, He holds the Dodson and Hooks Endowed Chair in Maritime Law and the James Huntington and Patricia Kleinpeter Odom Professorship of Law. He teaches and writes about Torts and Admiralty. From January 1, 2020-July 5, 2021, Galligan served as LSU President (originally, he was named Interim President but the Board of Supervisors later retroactively removed the interim title). As president, Galligan was both the chief executive of LSU’s eight campuses and leader of the university’s flagship campus in Baton Rouge. He now holds the rank of President Emeritus. From 2016-19, Galligan was the Dean of LSU’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center. From 2010 to 2016, Galligan served as the President of Colby-Sawyer College, a private liberal arts based college in New London, New Hampshire. Galligan also held a faculty position and regularly taught; he holds the rank of Emeritus Professor. Prior to leading Colby-Sawyer, Galligan served as Dean of the University of Tennessee’s College of Law from 1998 to 2010. He started his academic career at LSU in 1986 as a Professor of Law. During his first tenure at the university, students named him the Outstanding LSU Professor six times. From 1995-1998, he also served as the Executive Director of the Louisiana Judicial College. Galligan is a member of the Council of the ABA Section on Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. Previously, he served as a member (2007-2015) and as chair of the American Bar Association Accreditation Committee (2013-2015). He has been a member of and chaired several site evaluation teams for the ABA and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Galligan is a frequent continuing legal education speaker on his areas of expertise, having given more than 250 speeches and presentations to judges, lawyers, and others about Torts, Admiralty, Complex Litigation, Professionalism, and more. In the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon disaster, he testified three times before congressional committees considering amendments to the Death on the High Seas Act and other applicable maritime statutes. His scholarship has been cited by numerous courts including the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, various United States District Courts, the Louisiana Supreme Court, and various State Appellate Courts. He holds an A.B. in Political Science from Stanford University, a J.D. from Seattle University School of Law where he graduated summa cum laude and first in his class, and an LL.M. from the Columbia University Law School. Galligan resides in Baton Rouge with his wife Susan.
Sara Kuebel
Sara B. Kuebel
Jones Walker LLP
Sara B. Kuebel advises clients in a broad range of disputes, with a concentration in maritime litigation, including allisions and collisions and claims under General Maritime Law, the Jones Act, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.

Sara has experience litigating various matters, having assisted with numerous bench and jury trials in both federal and state court. She has also handled multiple appeals to Louisiana appellate courts as well as the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Sara has assisted in the drafting of amicus briefs to the US Supreme Court. Additionally, Sara advises clients on various commercial matters, such as the drafting of charter party agreements, master service agreements, and other transportation-related contracts.

Sara frequently authors publications on a variety of maritime law issues that range from personal injury to offshore wind to maritime liens. Moreover, she is the co-author of two maritime law books, Admiralty in a Nutshell and Cases and Materials on Maritime Law, both published by West Academic.

In recognition of her work, several industry and legal publications and rating agencies have listed Sara as “One to Watch,” including The Legal 500 United States and Best Lawyers®.

She earned her juris doctor degree, summa cum laude, from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University, graduating in the top 2% of her class and earning the Order of the Coif distinction. Sara received nine CALI awards for earning the highest grade in various classes throughout law school. While at LSU Law, she served as the student body president, as an associate on the Louisiana Law Review, and as a member of the Moot Court Board.
Matthew Moeller
Mr. Matthew A. Moeller
The Moeller Firm LLC
https://www.moellerfirm.com/
Matthew A. Moeller's experience and practice primarily includes the representation of vessel owner and operators, contractors, and shipyards as well as other businesses in maritime, construction and commercial disputes. This experience includes the defense of Jones Act, Longshore Harbor and Worker’s Compensation Act, and maritime personal injury claims, maritime contractual disputes and maritime property damage matters, as well as the representation of marine insurers in insurance coverage matters. Matthew’s experience also includes the defense of insurers, hotel operators, and transportation companies in land-based personal injury actions.

Matthew represents shipyards in vessel construction and repair disputes and general and sub-contractors in breach of contract, non-payment, defective workmanship, and lien disputes. Matthew also represents businesses in actions concerning breach of contract, fraud, intentional interference with contract, unfair trade practices and trade secret violations, as well as real estate title and boundary disputes. Matthew has tried numerous cases to verdict, obtaining both bench and jury verdicts in favor of his clients.

In addition to his litigation practice, Matthew counsels maritime clients in the formation and negotiation of master service agreements, master time charter agreements, third party access and boarding agreements and vessel construction contracts. Matthew counsels other businesses in the preparation and negotiation of non-compete, non-disclosure, non-solicitation, and professional services contracts. Matthew serves as outside general counsel for numerous clients including the largest liftboat owner/operator in the Gulf of Mexico.
Susie Morgan
Judge Susie Morgan
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
The Honorable Susie Morgan graduated from the LSU Law Center where she was a member of the Order of the Coif. After graduation, she clerked for Judge Henry Politz of the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal. Judge Morgan handled complex civil litigation before being appointed to the bench by President Barack Obama in 2012. Judge Morgan now serves on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, which sits in New Orleans.
Jerome Moroux
Jerome H. Moroux
Broussard & David, LLC
Jerome H. Moroux was born and raised in Lafayette, Louisiana and is a Partner at Broussard and David, LLC. He earned a B.A. from St. John’s College, in Santa Fe, NM, where he studied philosophy, literature, and the history of math and science. Jerome attended law school at Louisiana State University, graduating cum laude. During law school, he was a Member of the Louisiana Law Review. After law school, Jerome clerked for the Honorable W. Eugene Davis of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Jerome handles serious personal injury and wrongful death cases arising from maritime/offshore accidents, trucking/18-wheeler accidents, automobile accidents, onshore/industrial accidents, and premises defects. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and has been recognized by Louisiana Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in the field of personal injury litigation every year since 2014. Jerome’s professional associations include the American Bar Association, Louisiana Bar Association, and the Lafayette Bar Association. He is a currently a board member of the Federal Bar Association for the Western District of Louisiana, the American Inn of Court, and the Episcopal School of Acadiana. Jerome resides in Lafayette with his wife, Ashley, and their four children.
Charles Mouton
Charles A. Mouton
Mahtook & LaFleur, LLC
Charles "Chuck" A. Mouton is a partner at the firm of Mahtook & Lafleur in Lafayette, Louisiana. He has been in practice since 1986, having graduated from Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Louisiana State University in 1986. He is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, Louisiana and Texas Supreme Courts, U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and U.S. District Courts in Louisiana and Texas. For more than 35 years, Chuck has represented clients in maritime personal injury matters, including Jones Act and longshore litigation, commercial litigation involving the marine and energy industry, contract disputes and other complex marine multi-party cases, including those under the Oil Pollution Act. Chuck’s clients include drilling contractors, offshore oil and gas operators, marine construction companies, diving companies, oilfield product manufacturers, pipeline companies and various other service contractors in the marine, oil and gas industries. Chuck served as co-chair of the Cypremort Point Maritime Law Seminar for over 15 years.
David Reisman
Mr. David L. Reisman
Shareholder
Liskow & Lewis, APLC
David L. Reisman brings broad and practical experience to his maritime practice. David served as General Counsel of Bisso Marine, LLC for a decade following fifteen years as a partner in the Maritime Section of Liskow & Lewis. David also served for five years as General Counsel of T&T Bisso, LLC, an international emergency response, ship salvage and wreck removal contractor with offices in the United States, Europe, Latin America and Asia. David returned to private practice with Liskow & Lewis in 2017. David’s experience in admiralty matters includes emergency response, contracts, Coast Guard regulatory and enforcement issues, insurance coverage, accident investigation, maritime and aviation finance and liens, compliance programs, and formation and management of joint ventures (international and domestic). His litigation practice covers a wide range of matters, including maritime and offshore personal injury and property damage, vessel collisions and allisions, products liability, aviation, drilling and completion accidents, reservoir damage, pipeline accidents, indemnity and insurance, and commercial disputes. David is a member of the Louisiana and Texas bars, the American Society of Safety Professionals and the American Salvage Association.