Paul M. Sterbcow

The Trial Lawyer Entrusted with America’s Most Consequential Maritime Disasters.

As the managing member of Lewis, Kullman, Sterbcow & Abramson, LLC, Paul Sterbcow is a nationally recognized leader in admiralty and maritime law. He was selected by the federal court to serve on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee for the Deepwater Horizon litigation, where he acted as the co-lead lawyer for the pivotal liability trial. More recently, he was appointed as Plaintiffs’ Co-Liaison Counsel in the SEACOR Power disaster litigation. His status as a Fellow in both the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers places him in the highest echelon of trial attorneys in the world.

A Reputation Forged in High-Stakes Litigation

Paul’s career is defined by his unique ability to command the most complex, high-stakes cases. His leadership in the Deepwater Horizon and SEACOR Power litigations demonstrates the immense trust placed in him by both his clients and the judiciary to navigate catastrophic events and hold powerful entities accountable. His philosophy is that success in these demanding cases requires not only an encyclopedic knowledge of maritime law but also a mastery of trial strategy and the management of massive, multifaceted litigation.

This leadership extends to the legal community itself. As a past President of the Louisiana Association for Justice and member of the Board of Governors for the American Association for Justice, Paul is a dedicated advocate for the civil justice system and the rights of those who rely on it. He has built his practice, and now leads his firm, on a foundation of aggressive preparation, strategic excellence, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to achieving justice.

America's Top 100 High Stakes Litigators

Experience

Co-Lead Trial Counsel, MDL 2179 (Deepwater Horizon): Served as a lead lawyer for the liability trial in the largest and most complex environmental and maritime litigation in U.S. history.
Plaintiffs’ Co-Liaison Counsel (SEACOR Power): Appointed by the federal court to a key leadership role in the litigation arising from the vessel’s tragic sinking.

Credentials & Education

Bar Admissions

State of Louisiana & U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Louisiana
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama

Education

Tulane University School of Law, J.D., 1986
Tulane University, B.S., Political Science, 1982

Awards & Recognitions

Paul has been honored with the legal profession’s most prestigious awards for his skill and leadership.

Fellow, The International Academy of Trial Lawyers (Inducted 2015)
Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers (Inducted 2014)
America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators®: An invitation-only honor reserved for the nation’s most skilled and successful litigators.
“Lawyer of the Year” in Admiralty and Maritime Law in New Orleans (2026): The Best Lawyers in America®
Super Lawyers: Consistently named to the list, including “Top 10 Lawyers in New Orleans” (2010 – 2026).
Super Lawyers: Top 50: New Orleans Super Lawyers: 2018 – 2026
Super Lawyers: Top 10: Louisiana Super Lawyers: 2022 – 2026
Super Lawyers: Top 50: Louisiana Super Lawyers: 2018 – 2026
AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®: The highest possible rating for legal ability and ethical standards.
AVVO 10.0 Rating – Superb
Lead Counsel Verified in Personal Injury, Maritime Law, and Litigation & Appeals (2025)
New Orleans Magazine Top Lawyers: Admiralty & Maritime Law
Maritime Lawyer of the Year (2017): New Orleans Bar Association
President’s Award, Louisiana Association for Justice (2010-2011)

Publications & Presentations

A prolific author and sought-after speaker, Paul has lectured on maritime law and trial practice for nearly every major legal organization in the country, including Tulane University Law School, LSU Law Center, the American Association for Justice, the Louisiana State Bar Association, and the Federal Bar Association. He is a leading voice on topics ranging from litigating maritime disasters to trial strategy and punitive damages.

“Litigating a Maritime Disaster – How Do You Get It Done?”
- Admiralty Law Institute, Tulane University, 2015
“Personal Injury, Wrongful Death & Property Damage Investigation Coordination”
- Admiralty Law Institute, Tulane University, 2011
“Lessons from the Oil Spill Trial”
- High Stakes on the High Seas Maritime Law Conference, Louisiana Association for Justice, 2013
“Organizing the Complex Case – Discovery and Motion Practice”
- LSBA Annual Meeting and Summer School, 2013
“McBride v. Eustis: The Past, Present, and Future of Punitive Damages”
- Federal Bar Association, Admiralty Law and Federal Litigation Sections, 2014

Professional Memberships & Affiliations

President, Louisiana Association for Justice (2018-2019)
Board of Governors, American Association for Justice (2019-Present)
Board of Directors, Federal Bar Association, New Orleans Chapter (2014-2019)
Board of Directors & Treasurer, New Orleans Bar Association (2012-2017)
Chair, Admiralty Law Section, American Association for Justice (2001)
Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
Fellow, International Academy of Trial Lawyers

A Commitment to Educating the Bar

Paul is deeply committed to elevating the legal profession. He has dedicated countless hours to chairing seminars and speaking to his peers, sharing the lessons learned from his landmark cases and helping to train the next generation of trial lawyers in the complexities of maritime law and effective courtroom advocacy.

Contact Our Experienced Legal Team

When you need exceptional legal representation for a complex litigation matter, LKSA provides the experience, credentials, and resources necessary to achieve the best possible outcome. We provide free, confidential consultations to evaluate your case and explain your legal options.

Schedule Your Free Consultation with Our Trial Lawyers

Paul Sterbcow