Louise combines more than 30 years of experience in all varieties of litigation with her extensive expertise in insurance law and contract disputes. In her work from northern Maine to southern California, Louise has represented Fortune 500 companies, the State of California, closely held corporations and individuals from all walks of life. As a result of her depth of her experience, Louise is especially well-equipped to help clients navigate the insurance process and the legal system, both before and during litigation, in order to achieve their goals creatively and economically.
Recent Experience
- Successful recovery of insurance proceeds for businesses suffering catastrophic loss ranging from fires to contamination of food products "I had zero hope the day after the fire that my company would even exist in a year, and that is not an exaggeration. Instead, we are now well on our way to "back to normal" - the facility is rebuilt, our balance sheet is back in order, and it's back to business as usual."
- Convinced Directors and Officers liability insurers to finance a $30+ million settlement of class action securities fraud claims against Fortune 500 company
- Risk assessment and negotiation of insurance policies, especially D&O coverage, for publicly held corporations
- Lead attorney in the State of California's audit of the $43 billion of long-term power contracts, and resulting successful renegotiation and litigation of those contracts as well as recovery of refunds
- Regularly drafts and negotiates insurance and indemnification provisions in contracts and agreements
- $1.8 million award in traumatic brain injury case
- Through tort and insurance analysis obtained an additional $1 million in insurance coverage to resolve a multiple fatality personal injury claims prior to suit
- Through insurance analysis obtained $500,000 of uninsured motorist coverage for wrongful death case without suit
- Mediation and Arbitration both privately and as AAA arbitrator
- Regular pro bono representation in Termination of Parental Rights cases
Honors & Distinctions
Louise is the 2011 recipient of the Caroline Duby Glassman Award for the promotion of women in the field of law, serving as a mentor for young attorneys and for championing policies that benefit women in the workplace. The award was announced in the WLS Calendar September/October 2010, a bi-monthly publication of the Maine State Bar Association's Women's Law Section.
Louise received the "Outstanding Member Program Award" at the 2011 National Conference of Women's Bar Association's annual meeting for Women Professionals.
Louise is rated AV® Preeminent™ in Martindale-Hubbell and she is listed in the Best Lawyers in America for insurance and energy law. A testimonial on her Best Lawyers profile states, "Louise is particularly talented at identifying and developing themes, be it an appellate brief, discovery plan, or litigation. A lawyer who has a clear head for the big picture, learns the details, and is a tireless advocate.”
Professional Activities
Member, Maine Insurance Practice Section, 2000-present, (currently Chair)
Member, Maine Task Force to Adopt Model Rules of Professional Conduct, 2006-2009
Member, Maine Court Advisory Committee on Civil Rules, 2001-2009 and Professional Responsibility, 1988-1996
Member, Maine Trial Lawyers, 1977-present, (currently on Board of Directors)
Member, Maine Assistance Program for Lawyers and Judges, 2000-2010
Member, American Bar Association's Substance Abuse Committee, 2007 -2010
Member, Maine Women's Law Section – Women Helping Women
Publications
2011 Developments in Maine Tort Law. (November 17, 2011.) Maine State Bar Association Annual Legal Year in Review & Maine Trial Lawyers.
How to Identify and Mitigate Risks to Your Business with Insurance and Other Methods (2004, 2007, 2008. 2010 & 2011).
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Maine (2009), seminars 1998-present.
Clear Liability and Serious Damages: HOW TO FIND THE MONEY? Maine Trial Lawyers. (2009 and 2010).
Legal Year in Review – Torts & Insurance (2009 and 2010).
Legal Year in Review – Professional Responsibility (2002-2008).
Ethical Duties and the Problem of Attorney Impairment (presented more than 30 times from 2005 -present to ABA and state bars, private law firms and corporate law departments.