Leigh Ann Schell is a founding partner of Kuchler Polk Schell Weiner & Richeson, LLC. Ms. Schell was granted early admission to Loyola Law School after three years of undergraduate education. In 1987, after her first year of law school, Ms. Schell received her undergraduate degree from the University of New Orleans with a B.A. in English/Pre-law. In 1989, Ms. Schell graduated cum laude from Loyola University School of Law ranked in the top 5% of her class. In law school, Ms. Schell was a member of the Law Review and served on the Moot Court Board both as a team member and coach. She was also a teaching assistant for legal research and writing.
Ms. Schell is a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) and the Defense Research Institute (DRI). Through the IADC, Ms. Schell has been appointed to the Federal Rules Committee and also serves as chairman of the IACD’s Legislative, Judicial and Governmental Affairs Committee. Ms. Schell is active in Lawyers for Civil Justice (LCJ) and functions as the IADC’s liaison to the LCJ.
As a marathon runner, Ms. Schell knows firsthand that most tasks are marathons not sprints, and incorporates that discipline into pursuing good results.
AWARDS AND APPOINTMENTS
- 2011 Appointed by the IACD’s Legislative, Judicial and Governmental Affairs Committee, 2011 IADC’s liaison to LCJ
- 2010 Appointed as the Louisiana chairperson for Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s Our Courts program which aims to educate middle school children in civics in an effort to preserve judicial independence and understanding of our government
- 2010 Appointment to the board of Girls on the Run a non-profit organization with the goal of instilling self-discipline, self-worth and a sense of achievement in girls through running
- 2009 Appointed by the IADC as vice chairman of its Legislative Judicial and Governmental Affairs Committee
- 2009 Named by New Orleans Magazine as one of New Orleans’ Top 100 Lawyers
- 2009 Renewed Martindale-Hubbell AV rating
- 2009 Asked to serve on HB Litigation Conferences, LLC’s Chinese Drywall Advisory Council
PRESENTATIONS and articles
- Ms. Schell was quoted on LouisianaRecord.com in response to an annual survey issued 9/10/2012 ranking states based on the perception of their legal climates. Louisiana ranked second to last. Read the article >>
- 2010 “New Reporting Requirements Under the Medicare Secondary Payer Statute: Let the Paying Party Beware.” IADC Mid-Year Meeting, Naples, Florida
- May 2010 HB Litigation’s Chinese Drywall Symposium at the Ritz Carlton, New Orleans, La.
Published Decisions
- United Disaster Response, L.L.C. v. Omni Pinnacle, L.L.C., 569 F. Supp. 2d 658, 660 (E.D. La. 2008): favorable decision on issues of res judicata, pendent jurisdiction and issues of construction contract interpretation including forum selection and quantum meruit.
- Illinois Cent. R.R. v. Mayeux, 178 F. Supp. 2d 663, 665 (M.D. La. 2000) rev'd and remanded sub nom, Illinois Cent. R. Co. v. Mayeux, 301 F.3d 359 (5th Cir. 2002): co-represented Bridgeline Gas Distribution, LLC in a matter involving expropriation based on “public and necessary” purpose as required by the Louisiana Constitution.
- Kelley v. Price-Macemon, Inc., 992 F.2d 1408, 1410 (5th Cir. 1993): After the tragic death of her husband in an ice-plant accident, Cynthia A. Kelley brought this products liability action against Industrial Refrigerated Systems, Inc., and other parties involved in the manufacture, installation, and sale of an industrial ice auger. Following a full trial on the merits in which the jury returned a defense verdict, the trial judge granted a new trial. Ms. Schell authored a Motion for Summary Judgment arguing lack of liability as a matter of law. The trial judge granted the Motion for Summary Judgment and the Fifth Circuit affirmed.
- DuFrene v. Browning-Ferris, Inc., 994 F. Supp. 748 (E.D. La. 1998) aff'd, Dufrene v. Browning-Ferris, Inc., 207 F.3d 264 (5th Cir. 2000): co-represented Browning-Ferris, Inc. in successfully winning summary judgment in a case under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The favorable decision was affirmed by the 5th Circuit.
- Rome v. Avondale, et al., 2010-1645 (La. App. 4 Cir. 6/16/11): the firm represented Dover Engineered Systems, Inc. to obtain dismissal by summary judgment on successor liability which was affirmed by the Fourth Circuit.
- Austin v. Abney Mills, Inc., 2001-1598 La. 9/4/02, 824 So. 2d 1137, 1139: wrote amicus curiae for Hopeman Brothers, Inc.
- Shows v. Shoney's, Inc., 98-1254 La. App. 1 Cir. 7/29/99, 738 So. 2d 724, 727 (La. Ct. App. 1999): co-retained as appellate counsel for defendant-appellants, Shoney's, Inc., Rhonda McDurmmond, and Northbrook Property and Casualty Insurance Co. following a significant trial court award to Plaintiff. The appeal resulted in a major reduction of the award.
- Declouet v. Orleans Parish Sch. Bd., 96-2805 La. App. 4 Cir. 6/3/98, 715 So. 2d 69, 83 (La. Ct. App. 1998) writ denied, 98-2051 La. 11/13/98, 730 So. 2d 450 and writ denied, 98-2054 La. 11/13/98, 730 So. 2d 451 and writ denied, 98-2058 La. 11/13/98, 730 So. 2d 935 and writ denied, 98-2079 La. 11/13/98, 730 So. 2d 936: retained to write brief on behalf of Plaintiff in wrongful death case regarding issues of defense and indemnity.
- Eagle, Inc. v. Alexander & Alexander, Inc., 576 So. 2d 553 (La. Ct. App. 1991): case involving action against insurance agent to recover excess premiums paid.
- Alexander v. Liberty Terrace Subdivision, Inc., 1999-2171 La. App. 4 Cir. 4/12/00, 761 So. 2d 62, 63 (La. Ct. App. 2000): co-represented SECOR Bank f/k/a First Financial Bank, F.S.B. in obtaining dismissal based on abandonment which was affirmed by the Fourth Circuit.
- Hargis ex rel. Krey v. Jefferson Parish, 99-0971 La. App. 4 Cir. 12/8/99, 748 So. 2d 606, 606 (La. Ct. App. 1999) writ granted, judgment rev'd sub nom. Hargis v. Jefferson Parish, 2000-0072 La. 3/17/00, 755 So. 2d 891: co-represented Texaco, Inc. in matter involving alleged contaminated water.
- Touro Infirmary v. Henderson, 92-2720 La. App. 4 Cir. 12/28/95, 666 So. 2d 686, 687 (La. Ct. App. 1995): successfully represented Louisiana Health Service and Indemnity Company (Blue Cross) obtaining a dismissal based on prescription which was affirmed by the Fourth Circuit.
- S. Shell Fish Co., Inc. v. Office of Pub. Health, Dept. of Health & Hospitals, 96-2295 La. App. 1 Cir. 11/7/97, 703 So. 2d 1321, 1321 (La. Ct. App. 1997): co-represented Southern Shell Fish Company, Inc. in an appeal of a decision involving agency action against the Office of Public Health.
- Duhon v. Holi Temp. Services, Inc., 97-0604 La. App. 4 Cir. 10/1/97, 700 So. 2d 1152, 1153 (La. Ct. App. 1997): handled the appeal to obtain reversal of an award of supplemental earnings benefits entered by the trial court against Holi Temporary Services, Inc.
- Lefeaux v. Taylor, 97-0332 La. App. 4 Cir. 9/24/97, 700 So. 2d 1027, 1028 (La. Ct. App. 1997): represented Patco Assurance Company to obtain dismissal by summary judgment which was affirmed by the Fourth Circuit.
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