Commercial

construction litigation

At Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson, we pride ourselves on keeping your construction project on track by helping you resolve legal issues in a timely manner in order to keep your project within its set boundaries of schedule and cost. Our attorneys have extensive experience in litigating and arbitrating all types of construction disputes. With our vast knowledge in the prosecution and defense of a wide range of construction claims, we have successfully assisted owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, manufacturers, project managers, designers and more.

Our attorneys have represented construction clients in a wide array of matters, including drafting of contracts and counseling. We provide representation in federal and state courts as well as alternative dispute resolution forums in connection with litigation or claims arising out of the construction process, including breach of contract claims and mechanics lien claims.

In addition to litigation of complex construction claims, contract performance and termination issues, we handle cases based on allegations of defective and negligent design and defective products supplied to construction projects.

Our firm also assists clients in drafting construction and equipment supply agreements, implementing dispute resolution procedures, and counseling clients on the management and avoidance of construction claims and disputes.

Our areas of representation include:

• Representing design professionals, contractors and owners in litigation matters
• Representing clients in construction and engineering cases
• Drafting construction and equipment supply agreements
  Counseling clients on the management and avoidance of construction claims
  Design and construction defects
• Insurance and other coverage claims
• Construction disputes involving mass torts
  Malpractice actions
  Federal and state construction litigation claims
• Private construction claims
  Negotiating and drafting international contracts

professional malpractice

Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson, has received statewide recognition for our defense of professional malpractice claims. We maintain a record of solid success in the defense of a wide range of professionals including accountants, lawyers, doctors and engineers. Our goal is to provide integrated, knowledgeable legal service to our clients and we strive for expedient, positive results.
The types of professional malpractice cases we handle include:

• Claims arising out of the sale of businesses
• Issuance of securities
• Prosecution of patents
• Preparation of tax returns and financial reports
• Negotiation and closing of real estate transactions
• Unskillful practice in profession
• Omissions resulting in Injury
• Fraudulent misrepresentation

products liability

Providing our clients with a combination of extensive products liability litigation experience and logistical expertise, Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson, has successfully defended numerous wrongful death, catastrophic personal injury, and other product liability claims brought against manufacturers. We aim for cost-effective resolutions without trial. However, when trial is necessary, we provide our experience and skills to assist you throughout the litigation.
We have litigated a wide range of product liability matters involving aerospace, automotive, chemical, electrical, mechanical, medical device, pharmaceutical, and other matters.
Our attorneys are actively involved in national product liability organizations and have lectured and written on product liability matters. Our practice covers all aspects of product liability matters, from preventative counseling and alternative dispute resolution through trial and appeals. We pride ourselves on providing innovative, efficient, cost-effective solutions to product liability issues.

Our attorneys have organized the defense strategy, developed defense themes, handled case management and tried cases for many manufacturers in high-profile litigation.

We have defended product manufacturers regarding:

• Industrial, manufacturing and commercial equipment
  Vehicles (industrial, commercial, and passenger) and components
• Pharmaceuticals
• Medical devices and equipment
• Chemicals
• Asbestos-containing products
• Home products
• Aircrafts and components
• Computer hardware and software
• Robotics
• Boats and recreational products
• Ocean-going ships, tugs and other vessels
• Electrical and electronics products
• Children’s products
• Construction and building components and systems

legal professional liability

With experience in all aspects of legal professional liability defense, attorneys at Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson, are well qualified to handle sensitive issues of confidentiality. We strive for minimal impact of the case on the client’s ongoing practice and uphold the highest standard of professionalism when dealing with professional liability issues. As the number of professional liability claims increase in today’s legal world, our experience gives us an unparalleled understanding for the complexities of legal liability.

We handle cases involving:

• Breach of fiduciary duty
• Professional negligence
• Missing statute of limitations
• Poorly written legal documents
• Breach of attorney-client privilege
• Improper legal advice
• Malicious or frivolous litigation
• Obstruction of justice
• Presenting false evidence
• Malfeasance or dishonesty

business law and litigation

Attorneys at Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson act as a continuous resource for our business clients.  Our team is committed to helping you reach your business goals through prompt, effective solutions, team work and attention to detail. We assist our business clients in all aspects of their operations, whether the issues are large or small. We can analyze your specific business situation and offer legal advice on all levels. Whether your business is large or small we strive to reach resolutions of legal disputes.  When litigation is necessary we put our seasoned talents to work to assist your business through the legal process.  Our experience in business law issues includes business work outs and recapitalizations, bankruptcy, business formation and governments, corporate finance and securities, contracts and business transaction, business ownership issues or disputes, general business litigation, general and complex business litigation, and effective limitation of liability.

Our attorneys at Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson, are skilled in assisting our business clients in all aspects of their operation.  We will analyze your specific business situation and offer legal advice on all levels.  We cater to business clients both large and small and strive for expedient resolutions to legal disputes.  When litigation is necessary, we put our seasoned talents to work to assist your business through the legal process.

We handle business law matters including:

• Business Workouts and Recapitalizations
• Business Bankruptcy
• Business Formation and Governance
• Corporate Finance and Securities
• Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestitures
• Contracts and Business Transactions
• Business Ownership Issues or Disputes
• General Civil Litigation
• Complex Business Litigation

Our attorneys will work to achieve your business objectives by assessing your legal options and reaching decisions that are consistent with your goals. We advise on entity selection (partnerships, corporations, limited liability) and discuss how you can effectively limit liability.

labor law

Our Labor and Employment team offers support to both private and public employers faced with the ever-changing legal landscape of the employment relationship. We represent employers in all aspects of employment law, including discrimination, wrongful discharge, sexual harassment, unemployment compensation, and unpaid wages. Many of our attorneys have also represented employees in similar claims, giving us a unique edge in defending our clients.

Our Labor and Employment team has a successful litigation record in both state and federal court defending Title VII, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Louisiana Employment Discrimination Law (LEDL), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Uniform Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA) cases. We also have experience defending collective and class action lawsuits.

We represent clients before administrative and governmental agencies, appearing before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Louisiana Civil Service Commission and the Louisiana Workforce Commission. Our attorneys prepare, revise and audit employer policies and procedures, including employee manuals and handbooks.

We frequently advise both public and private entities on a wide range of sensitive personnel issues and assist them in compliance with federal and state regulations governing the employment relationship.

general casualty

Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson, maintains the reputation as a firm committed to successful General Casualty Litigation. Our vast knowledge and experience allows us to handle the many legal dilemmas that may arise from personal injury disputes.
Whether the injury stems from an accident or a crime, our attorneys advise on how to handle the legal dilemmas that result.

We have represented public and private landlords, commercial businesses, restaurants, transportation companies, schools and virtually all other types of businesses and individuals against a broad range of personal injury claims. Our attorneys also handle personal injury cases that involve damage to property.

We focus on resolving cases in the most cost-effective manner during the early stages of litigation.

In addition to working with our clients in defending general casualty lawsuits, we regularly present seminars to property owners on ways to prevent losses from accidents and crimes.

worker’s compensation law

Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson, has extensive experience in this complicated area of the employment law, and understands the complex relationships between employers, insurance carriers, claims administrators, and employees. We work with employers to evaluate workplace safety. By providing employers with practical advice and recommendations, we can help employers reduce the chances for workplace injuries and be prepared in the event of litigation.

Our attorneys are both knowledgeable and experienced in the evaluation and defense of Worker’s Compensation claims. We represent the interests of insurers and their insureds in the handling of state and federal workers’ compensation claims as well as federal longshore harbor workers’ compensation claims.

Because many worker’s compensation claims can be prevented or reduced through education, we often assist in providing seminars and workshops to insurers, insureds and self-insured entities to address the proper and efficient handling of employees’ workers’ compensation claims.

class action litigation

At Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson, we understand the unique challenges of class action disputes. Our team is dedicated to negotiating a positive outcome in large-scale lawsuits. We are knowledgeable in representing clients in class action litigation brought under both federal and state laws. Our firm maintains a comprehensive library on class action practice that enables us to handle these types of cases with the utmost knowledge and proficiency for our clients

Our attorneys are experienced, innovative advocates who have won impressive victories for clients in class action cases pending in federal and state courts in a wide array of jurisdictions.

We have represented clients in class action proceedings involving such areas as:

• Antitrust and unfair competition
• Consumer financial services
• Consumer fraud
• Discrimination
• Employment
• Environmental
• Insurance
• Mass torts
• Product liability
• Securities

Which each case, we rely upon the firm’s substantive knowledge in the area of law at issue, as well as our particular experience with complex class action procedures and strategies.
Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson attorneys have been successful both in preventing and defending class action and group litigation.

civil rights/discrimination defense

Our exceptional knowledge of the extensive rules and regulations is essential in the defense of civil rights disputes. Whether it is a Fourth Amendment dispute, police liability or other civil rights situation, our experienced team at Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson, is well versed in federal civil rights and state constitutional claims. Our number one priority is success in every aspect of civil rights defense.

We defend civil rights claims and we have represented many businesses and individuals against a variety of other alleged violations of civil rights including:

• Employment
• Housing
• Age
• Gender
• Disability
• Religious discrimination
• Sexual harassment
• Hostile work environment

Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson, defends discrimination and wrongful termination disputes in both federal and state courts. Whether your case involves housing, sexual harassment, age, race, gender, etc., our team of experienced attorneys possesses the skills and determination required to see our clients through the legal process.

government affairs

The talented team at Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson, combines legal and advocacy skills that have been refined over decades of work on a variety of legislative issues. We know the law and are committed to putting our skills to work for your business when dealing with all areas of government. We stay abreast of the latest developments on the city, state and federal levels in order to best meet our clients’ needs.

The attorneys at Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson, are knowledgeable in a broad range of areas including:

• Antitrust
• Aviation
• Banking
• Congressional oversight
• Environment
• Energy
• Finance
• Food
• Health care
• Indian affairs
• Intellectual property
• International trade
• Civil litigation reform
• Occupational safety and health
• Securities
• Tax
• Telecommunications
• Transportation

Our attorneys have the policy-driven focus, the experience and the dedication to work with our clients through the entire legal process.

toxic tort/mold litigation

Our firm is dedicated to combating toxic environments that can make individuals and families sick and compromise their long-term health. Our talented team is experienced in handling a variety of environmental laws, statutes and regulations. Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson has been at the forefront of the Chinese Drywall litigation from its inception and the firm represents several large national insurers in the Chinese Drywall MDL litigation pending in the Eastern District of Louisiana. Our experience as insurance coverage attorneys, our knowledge of homeowners’ and CGL policies and our abilities in the courtroom benefit our clients in this emerging area of the law.

Our attorneys at Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson, have successfully litigated cases involving:

• Pesticides
• Asbestos
• Antitrust litigation
• Mold
• Hazardous waste
• Medical products
• Radiation

Further, the firm is experienced in handling mold-related indoor-air quality and property damage cases. Our attorneys handle the defense of toxic and non-toxic mold litigation in construction and consumer products.  We are dedicated to enforcing contractual limitations on liability in addition to building code and statutory provisions that are in place to protect our clients.

health care law

Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson, provides a full range of legal services for both individuals and entities in every aspect of health care law.

Our firm has extensive knowledge in the area of health care law including:

• FDA regulation
  Nonprofit/tax-exempt organizations
• HIPAA regulations
• Antitrust litigation
• Counseling to physicians, hospitals, medical societies and managed care organizations
• Medicare and private third-party reimbursement
• Reorganizations of non-profit provider institutions
• Litigation over the constitutionality of laws affecting patients and healthcare providers
• Contract drafting and negotiation between providers and institutions and managed care organizations
• Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act
• (EMTALA) litigation and counseling
• Hospital/medical staff relations
• Advance directives and end-of-life decision-making
• Corporate transactions
• Medical practice acquisitions and mergers
• Employment, employee benefits and personnel matters