Ian Taylor
Member
ABOUT IAN
Ian F. Taylor
Proven in Crisis, Trusted by Courts, and Respected by Peers: A Premier Advocate for those Injured at Sea.
Entrusted by the federal judiciary to help lead one of the nation’s most significant recent maritime disaster cases, Ian Taylor is a premier advocate for those harmed by offshore negligence. As a member of Lewis, Kullman, Sterbcow & Abramson, LLC, he was appointed by a federal judge to the Executive Committee overseeing the litigation arising from the 2021 SEACOR POWER tragedy. This high-level appointment, combined with his instrumental role in securing millions of dollars for clients in the BP oil spill and other maritime disasters, solidifies his standing as a go-to attorney for complex maritime, products liability, and civil litigation cases.
Ian repeatedly has been recognized by his peers in the legal industry for his advocacy. He has been recognized as a Super Lawyer since 2022, and as a Best Lawyer since 2024, both of which are prestigious and selective peer-nominated honors in the legal industry.
A Foundation of Excellence in Maritime Law
Ian’s commitment to maritime law began long before he entered the courtroom. Serving as the Senior Managing Editor of the Tulane Maritime Law Journal and earning Tulane’s highest awards for excellence in admiralty law, he built a powerful academic foundation for his practice. Today, his philosophy is centered on not just practicing the law, but actively shaping it. He has authored influential amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) briefs in both the Louisiana Supreme Court and the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, helping to guide judicial decisions on critical maritime issues.
This deep level of expertise defines his approach to every case. Ian believes that the most successful representation comes from a complete command of the law’s complexities, allowing him to craft innovative arguments and anticipate every challenge. He translates this mastery into clear, confident guidance for his clients, ensuring they understand the process and feel empowered in their pursuit of justice.
Experience
- Executive Committee, SEACOR POWER Litigation: Appointed by the presiding federal district court judge to help lead the litigation arising from the April 13, 2021 disaster that caused thirteen deaths at sea.
- BP Oil Spill Multi-District Litigation: Played a pivotal role in helping secure millions of dollars in recovery for a wide array of clients impacted by the 2010 disaster.
- Amicus Curiae Author: Submitted influential briefs on critical maritime law issues to the Louisiana Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Credentials & Education
Bar Admissions:
- State of Louisiana
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Louisiana
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Education:
- Tulane University Law School, J.D., 2010 (Certificate of Specialization in Maritime Law)
- Middlebury College, B.A., 2001
Awards & Recognitions
- Super Lawyers: Named to the list for 2022–2026.
- Super Lawyers Rising Stars: Named to the list for Transportation/Maritime Law (2020).
- Best Lawyers in America© (2024 – 2026): Recognized for Admiralty and Maritime Law & Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs by U.S. News & Best Lawyers Magazine.
- AVVO 10.0 Rating – Superb
- Lead Counsel Verified in Personal Injury and Maritime Law (2025)
- New Orleans Magazine Top Lawyers: Admiralty & Maritime Law
- Admiralty Law Institute Award of Excellence (2010): A prestigious award from Tulane Law School.
- Robert B. Acomb Award (2010): Recognizing outstanding legal scholarship.
Publications & Presentations
Ian is a prolific author and a frequent speaker at legal conferences nationwide, sharing his insights on the evolving rights of seamen and complex issues in maritime law.
Selected Presentations:
- “General v. Specific: Can A Seaman Nullify His Contributory Negligence in the Fifth Circuit?,” Alvin B. Rubin Maritime Conference on Personal Injury Law, 2024
- “Dealing with DOHSA — A Practical Viewpoint,” Louisiana Association for Justice, 2023
- “Find Your Found: A Lost Element of Damages,” American Association for Justice, 2021
- “The Eroding Rights of Jones Act Seamen,” Louisiana Association for Justice, 2020
Selected Publications:
- “Maritime Madness: Rule B, Electronic Funds Transfers…”, 34 Tul. Mar. L.J. 211 (2009)
- “How Far Does the FMLA Reach?…”, 33 Tul. Mar. L.J. 337 (2008)
Professional Memberships & Affiliations
Ian is a proven leader in the legal community, having been elected by his peers to lead the most prominent trial lawyer organizations at the local, state, and national levels.
- President, Academy of New Orleans Trial Lawyers (2020-2021)
- Past Chair, Admiralty Law Section, American Association for Justice (2019-2020)
- Past Chair, Maritime Law Section, Louisiana Association for Justice (2020-2021)
- Member: American Bar Association, New Orleans Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, Maritime Law Association of the United States
Community Involvement
Ian’s commitment to service is a cornerstone of his character. Before attending law school, he served as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer for nearly two years. He continues to serve the New Orleans community through pro bono work with New Orleans Legal Assistance and by providing free legal consultations through the HELP program. his landmark cases and helping to train the next generation of trial lawyers in the complexities of maritime law and effective courtroom advocacy.
Ready to Discuss Your Case?
Our team is here to provide a free, confidential consultation to evaluate your case and explain your legal options. We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.
