Cherrell Simms Taplin has been selected to join The National Black Lawyers’ Top 100, an organization dedicated to recognizing African American legal excellence including both plaintiff and defense attorneys in all practice areas.
Cherrell has extensive experience in all facets of litigation. She has worked as a partner in private practice, served as judge pro tempore in state court, and she served as the Senior Chief Deputy City Attorney for the City of New Orleans.
As a partner in private practice, Cherrell cultivated a diverse litigation practice, including commercial litigation, complex personal injury, and mass tort actions. She has litigated cases through trial in both state and federal court. As the Senior Chief Deputy City Attorney for the City of New Orleans, Cherrell expanded her litigation practice to include contract, construction, land use, public bid, employment, administrative appeals, and civil rights matters. She also managed over 1000 open cases, including high-profile litigation, from inception to resolution, supervised the lawyers and staff, and oversaw the office budget. In April 2017, the Louisiana Supreme Court saw fit to appoint Cherrell to serve as Judge Pro Tempore in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court, Division J. As a judge, she gained an inside perspective on the judicial process and presided over several trials and hearings.
Cherrell represents commercial clients, non-profit organizations, and major oil and gas companies in all areas of litigation, and within her community, she volunteers as a member of the Board of Directors for Bridge House/Grace House and teaches Negotiation and Mediation as an Adjunct Professor at Tulane University Law School.