Representative Works

  • Represented a security firm in a hotel case through directed verdict at trial in Federal Court. Case involved multiple deaths, injuries, property damage, numerous state and federal lawsuits, some consolidated for trial.
  • Represented a manufacturer of grain fumigant in litigation arising out of the explosion of a large grain elevator near New Orleans. Case involved multiple deaths, multiple injuries, millions of dollars of property damage and business interruption claims. 
  • Represented a major shipyard in a matter involving claims resulting from alleged propulsion system failure in a series of LASH vessels and in another matter involving structural failure in a series of large oil tankers.
  • Represented a major oil company in litigation resulting from the cratering of an oil well into an underlying salt mine in southwest Louisiana. Primary responsibility for defense of the financial and business interruption claims of the salt mining company whose mine was destroyed. 
  • Represented a foreign shipyard defendant in litigation arising from the capsizing and sinking of a semi-submersible MODU (Mobil Offshore Drilling Unit) which resulted in 80+ deaths and loss of the rig. 
  • Represented a defendant in a case arising from a gas explosion aboard a MODU which resulted in personal injuries, property damage and business interruption claims. 
  • Represented a drilling and workover company in several Jones Act, General Maritime Law and related claims arising from accidents and explosions on inland drilling barges. 
  • Represented a pressure relief valve manufacturer in a major class action and other related litigation arising from the explosion of a North Louisiana chemical plant. The explosion resulted in deaths, injuries, damage to homes and businesses, evacuation of the town adjacent to the plant, and litigation which extended over several years. 
  • Represented a large paper and forest products manufacturer in asbestos and related litigation. 
  • Represented a large chemical manufacturing company (premises owner) with respect to numerous personal injury and death claims and with respect to numerous class action and mass tort claims arising out of an explosion in one of the company's plants. The representation also involved numerous ancillary contractual, insurance coverage and property damage/business interruption claims.
  • Represented an alleged insurer of a dietary supplement manufacturer in a case in the Northern District of Texas. Successful motion for summary judgment on insurance coverage issues. 
  • Represented an excess insurer in a mass tort claim arising from a chemical plant chlorine release. Case resolved without payment by client. 
  • Represented an environmental remediation company in a series of cases brought by property owners arising from a major tank car train derailment. Successful motions for summary judgment. 
  • Represented a drilling company in a major well blowout case.
  • Represented various insurers in a wide variety of general liability personal injury and property damage cases.
  • Represents major insurance companies in insurance coverage litigation. 
  • Served as Insurance (Coverage) Group co-liaison counsel in the “FEMA trailer” Multi-District Litigation proceeding.
  • Handled many maritime and offshore personal injury cases, including Jones Act, General Maritime Law, and OCSLA death and injury cases. For five years, Mr. Leche taught a three-hour "Maritime Personal Injury" course as an adjunct professor on the faculty of Loyola University School of Law.