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    Bill Riviere photograph

    William J. Riviere

    Senior Partner

    New Orleans
    504-584-9343
    bill.riviere@phelps.com
    Areas Of Focus
    Admiralty

    Bill Riviere practices in the areas of collision, maritime personal injury, terminal/installation damage, pollution, fire, salvage, maritime lien matters, oilfield indemnity and insurance coverage disputes, and appellate matters. He represents maritime employers, vessel owners, energy interests and their underwriters in personal injury defense litigation, including Jones Act and Longshore and Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act claims, and represents vessel owners, operators, dock and terminal owners, and their underwriters in connection with collisions, allisions, wavewash/surge damage, groundings and salvage matters. He also represents general liability and marine underwriters with respect to coverage issues involving a range of marine, general liability and excess forms of coverage.

    Bill has attended numerous legal continuing education seminars focusing on civil litigation and the trial process, with a concentration primarily on admiralty matters. Included in this continuing training was a seminar presented at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at King’s Point focusing on collision and fire at sea.

    Insights

    • August 15, 2024

      185 Phelps Lawyers Chosen for Best Lawyers in America, 20 Named "Lawyer of the Year," 26 Added to “Ones to Watch” List…

    • August 17, 2023

      Best Lawyers in America Selects 208 Phelps Lawyers, Names 12 "Lawyer of the Year," Adds 47 to "Ones to Watch" List…

    More +
    • August 18, 2022

      Best Lawyers in America Selects 158 Phelps Lawyers, Names 10 "Lawyer of the Year," Adds 40 to "Ones to Watch" List…

    Recognition

    • AV Preeminent Peer Review, Martindale-Hubbell
    • Admiralty and Maritime Law, The Best Lawyers in America (2015-2025)
    • Louisiana Super Lawyers list, Super Lawyers (2007-2019)
    • Top New Orleans Lawyers: Admiralty, New Orleans Magazine
    • AV Preeminent Peer Review, Martindale-Hubbell
    • Admiralty and Maritime Law, The Best Lawyers in America (2015-2025)
    • Louisiana Super Lawyers list, Super Lawyers (2007-2019)
    • Top New Orleans Lawyers: Admiralty, New Orleans Magazine

    Education

    • Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, 1990
    • Nicholls State University, B.S., Finance, summa cum laude, 1987
    • Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, 1990
    • Nicholls State University, B.S., Finance, summa cum laude, 1987

    Credentials

    • Louisiana
    • U.S. Supreme Court
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
    • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana
    • U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana
    • Louisiana
    • U.S. Supreme Court
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
    • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana
    • U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana

    Memberships and Affiliations

    • Louisiana State Bar Association
    • New Orleans Bar Association
    • Maritime Law Association of the United States - Proctor in Admiralty, Offshore Industries Committee - Chairman (2017-2020), Board of Directors (2020-2024)
    • Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute
    • Louisiana State Bar Association
    • New Orleans Bar Association
    • Maritime Law Association of the United States - Proctor in Admiralty, Offshore Industries Committee - Chairman (2017-2020), Board of Directors (2020-2024)
    • Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute
    • Overview
    • Insights
    • Recognition
    • Education
    • Credentials
    • Memberships and Affiliations

    Related Services

    • Admiralty
    • Maritime
    • Transportation
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