LKSA Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®

Being recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® is a prestigious honor for any attorney. It signifies the achievement of excellence in their respective fields, as well as a commitment to providing the best legal services to their clients. At Lewis, Kullman, Sterbcow & Abramson, LLC, we are proud to announce that three of our attorneys have been recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Congratulations to Paul M. Sterbcow, C. “Duke” Williams and Ian Taylor!

Our firm also received a Metro Tier 1 ranking for Admiralty and Maritime Law in Best Law Firms® 2024.

About The Best Lawyers in America®

The Best Lawyers in America®  is not just an ordinary legal directory; it is a distinguished and peer-reviewed ranking of lawyers in various practice areas across the United States. Founded in 1981, this annual publication has become one of the most respected and trusted sources for identifying top legal talent.

Peer Review Process

One of the key factors that sets The Best Lawyers in America® apart is its rigorous peer review process. This accolade is primarily driven by nominations and evaluations from other legal professionals.

Here’s how the process works:

• Nomination: Lawyers are nominated for inclusion by their peers, including fellow attorneys, judges, and even clients who have firsthand experience working with them.
• Peer Review: Once nominated, lawyers are subjected to a comprehensive peer review process. This involves their peers assessing their professional abilities, skills, and ethical standards within their specific practice areas.
• Inclusion: Lawyers who receive high ratings during the peer review process are included in “The Best Lawyers in America®” publication for that year.

“The Best Lawyers in America®” covers a wide range of practice areas, including but not limited to maritime law, criminal defense, family law, real estate law, corporate law, and many more. Lawyers are recognized and ranked based on their expertise in these specific fields, ensuring that the recognition is tailored to their areas of specialization.

Being listed in The Best Lawyers in America® is an honor that speaks volumes about a lawyer’s reputation and standing within the legal community. Clients seeking legal representation often turn to this publication for guidance in selecting the right attorney for their needs. For LKSA attorneys who were recognized, it’s a testament to their skills, knowledge, and ethical conduct.

About Paul M. Sterbcow

Paul Sterbcow is a managing member of Lewis, Kullman, Sterbcow & Abramson, LLC. He has had a distinguished legal career, during which he has been recognized for his exceptional knowledge and skill in admiralty and maritime law.

Paul’s career has been marked by his significant contributions to high-profile cases, such as his role as a member of the Plaintiff’s Steering Committee for MDL 2179/Deepwater Horizon Litigation and co-lead lawyer for the liability trial. Paul has also served as Plaintiff’s Co-liaison Counsel in the Seacor Power sinking case.

Beyond his litigation prowess, he has authored numerous papers and delivered speeches on various maritime law and civil trial practice topics. Paul’s dedication to the legal profession has earned him accolades like the Maritime Lawyer of the Year by the New Orleans Bar Association in 2018, and he is a respected member of prestigious legal organizations, including the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, showcasing his commitment to excellence and leadership in the field.

About C. “Duke” Williams

Conrad S.P. “Duke” Williams, III, joined Lewis, Kullman, Sterbcow & Abramson, LLC in 2018 as Of Counsel. Duke has been a formidable addition to our law firm, bringing with him a wealth of experience and expertise in the legal field.

With a strong focus on litigation, maritime, aviation, wrongful death, and environmental cases, Duke also represents individuals, landowners, small business owners, and fishermen in commercial disputes, pollution, toxic tort matters, and oil and gas issues. His extensive legal career includes serving on the Plaintiff Steering Committee in the BP Deepwater Horizon litigation and overseeing litigation related to the federal government’s drilling moratorium.

Duke’s impressive credentials extend beyond the courtroom, as he’s an Executive Committee Member, past President of the Louisiana Association for Justice, and International Academy of Trial Lawyers Fellow.

About Ian Taylor

Ian F. Taylor has remarkable background and an unwavering commitment to excellence. With a B.A. from Middlebury College and a J.D. from Tulane University Law School, Ian’s educational journey laid a strong foundation for his legal career. During his time at Tulane, he distinguished himself as the Senior Managing Editor of the Tulane Maritime Law Journal and garnered accolades such as the 2010 Admiralty Law Institute Award of Excellence and the Robert B. Acomb Award.

Ian’s primary practice areas encompass admiralty and maritime law, products liability, and civil litigation. Notably, he played a pivotal role in the multi-district litigation stemming from the 2010 BP oil spill, securing significant recoveries for a diverse range of clients. He has also been appointed to the Executive Committee by a federal district court judge overseeing the Seacor Power disaster litigation.

Ian’s commitment to legal education and advocacy extends to presenting at legal seminars and conferences nationwide and authoring amicus curiae briefs on critical maritime issues.

About Best Law Firms® Tier 1 Ranking

A Metro Tier 1 ranking in the Best Law Firms® is a coveted distinction that signifies a law firm’s outstanding expertise and reputation within a specific metropolitan area and practice area. Let’s break down what this means:

• Metropolitan Area Focus: The “Metro” aspect of the ranking indicates that the recognition is specific to a particular metropolitan area or region.
• Tier 1 Classification: The “Tier 1” designation is the highest level of recognition within the Best Law Firms® rankings. It signifies that the law firm is considered among the very best in the chosen practice area and metro region.

About LKSA

LKSA has been at the forefront of the legal field since our establishment in 1987. Renowned for exceptional trial attorneys and unwavering advocacy for clients, we have garnered recognition for our professionalism and dedication to delivering the highest level of representation. Whether clients have suffered serious injuries or lost loved ones due to negligence, LKSA is committed to protecting their best interests and ensuring they receive the compensation they rightfully deserve, serving clients across the United States and beyond from their New Orleans-based offices.