future-focused

Assistant

Karen East

504.556.4061

“My varied experience as a trial lawyer, judge, mediator, and arbitrator allows me to view legal matters in a unique and comprehensive way. I can quickly identify clients’ needs and advise them on a plan of action to achieve the best results.”

Overview

Cherrell is a seasoned trial lawyer with more than twenty years of experience representing commercial clients, nonprofit organizations, public entities, maritime companies, and major energy clients across a broad range of litigation matters. Her practice encompasses construction and procurement disputes, contract and quasi contract claims, casualty and premises liability, products liability, unfair trade practices, toxic tort exposure, environmental liabilities, and labor and employment matters.

She regularly advises clients on compliance with the Louisiana Public Works Act and Construction Management at Risk (CMAR) procurements, assists with public bids, zoning, and variance matters, and litigates disputes arising from construction and public procurement projects. Cherrell is also a qualified mediator and arbitrator through Mediation Arbitration Professional Systems, Inc. (MAPS) and serves as a panelist for the American Arbitration Association.

In 2013, Cherrell was appointed Senior Chief Deputy City Attorney for the City of New Orleans, serving as second in command to the City Attorney and as Chief of Litigation. In this capacity, she worked closely with the City Attorney, Mayor, and City Council on critical matters, including two federal consent decrees, high profile litigation, and other special priority initiatives. As Chief of Litigation, Cherrell oversaw more than one thousand active matters across state, federal, municipal, and traffic courts. Her portfolio spanned a wide range of substantive areas, including personal injury, contract and construction disputes, land use and zoning, public bid and procurement challenges, employment matters, code enforcement, public records litigation, administrative appeals, and civil rights claims. She also supervised trial strategy, managed outside counsel, and advised city leadership on litigation risk, settlement strategy, and policy implications.

In April 2017, the Louisiana Supreme Court appointed Cherrell to serve as Judge Pro Tempore in Division “J” of the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans. During her appointment, she presided over bench and jury trials, summary proceedings, and ruled on hundreds of motions across a wide range of civil matters. This judicial experience deepened her perspective on trial advocacy, motion practice, and case management, and continues to inform her strategic approach to litigation and dispute resolution.

Cherrell served as a Skills Instructor for Negotiation and Mediation at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law and taught as an Adjunct Professor of Negotiation and Mediation at Tulane University Law School. In 2020, she was recognized as a member of New Orleans CityBusiness’s Women of the Year class and was selected as a Fellow of the American Bar Association. As Liskow’s Co Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, Cherrell is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace and advancing initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the firm and the legal profession as a whole.

Insights

Highlights

Notable Experience

Trial Lawyer Wins

Counsel for ExxonMobil Corporation

  • Vonetta Lacy, et al. v. Carlos Ibarra, Liberty County Mutual Insurance Company, ExxonMobil Corporation, et al.
  • 19th Judicial District Court, East Baton Rouge Parish,  Docket No. C-714861
  • Achieved a Louisiana Supreme Court victory entering summary judgement and dismissing ExxonMobil from a personal injury suit arising from an employee’s commute, reaffirming the “coming and going” rule and limiting vicarious liability.

Counsel for Waste Connections

  • Ictech-Bendeck v. Waste Connections Bayou, Inc.
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, Docket No. 18-07889
  • Achieved denial of class certification in high-stakes landfill toxic exposure claim, in which plaintiffs sought to certify a class of over 76,000 residents from Jefferson Parish’s East and West Banks, alleging exposure to landfill emissions over a thirty-month period.

Counsel for ExxonMobil Corporation

  • Gerren Jenkins, Charonne Jenkins, Gerren Jenkins, Jr., and Jace Jenkins v. Gulf Intermodal Services, LLC, ExxonMobil Chemical Company, Park Avenue Intermodal, Great American Insurance Company, Tina Gordan and John Doe
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, Docket No. 23-797
  • Obtained summary judgment in favor of ExxonMobil, dismissing all personal injury claims arising from the overturning of an 18 wheeler transporting sealed cargo allegedly owned and loaded by the client. All claims were dismissed with prejudice.

Counsel for Prominent Genetic Testing Company

  • After a week-long trial, obtained defense verdict from Orleans Parish jury in favor of one of the nation’s most prominent genetic testing companies, in case where plaintiff alleged she was misled about her genetic test results, causing her to undergo 9 unnecessary surgical procedures and resulting in bodily scarring. Plaintiff asked jury for $14 million in general damages, but jury awarded no damages. Court of Appeal affirmed jury verdict.

Counsel for Shell Oil Company

  • Belden Investments, LLC v. Pharaoh Oil & gas, Inc., et al.
  • United States District Court, Middle District of Louisiana, Docket No. 22-00062
  • Obtained a Ruling and Order dismissing all claims against Shell and its related companies pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6) for plaintiff’s unjust enrichment claims. Plaintiff asserted contract claims against Shell in excess of $800,000 for its cleanup work to an old oilfield site.

Counsel for AECOM | Hunt Broadmoor, Joint Venture

  • The Lemoine Company, L.L.C., Metro Service Management Group, LLC, and the McDonnel Group LLC v. The Ernest N. Morial Exhibition Hall Authority, et al.
  • Orleans Parish Civil District Court, Division M, Docket No. 2021-7651.
  • After an evidentiary hearing on the merits, successfully defeated plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary and permanent injunction to block the award for the client to serve as the construction manager at risk contractor for a $300 million plus project to upgrade the New Orleans Convention Center. After a reversal by the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal, The Louisiana Supreme Court reinstated the original Trial Court’s decision in favor of AECOM | Hunt Broadmoor.

Counsel for ExxonMobil Corporation

  • Billy Olivier v. ExxonMobil Corporation
  • United States District Court, Middle District of Louisiana, Docket No. 18-568.
  • Jury trial in an offshore platform accident injury case with significant medicals and multi-million-dollar demand; complete defense verdict in favor of ExxonMobil Corporation.

Counsel for Vector Media Holding Corp.

  • Go-Graphics, LLC v. The Parish of Jefferson and the Jefferson Parish Council
  • 24th Judicial District Court, Division N, Docket no. 827-211.
  • After an evidentiary hearing on the merits on a petition for permanent injunction, declaratory relief and damages to block a contract award, the Court found in favor of Vector Media.

Counsel for Mitchell Landrieu, as Mayor, and the City of New Orleans

  • Monumental Task Committee, Inc. et al. v. Landrieu et al.
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, Docket No. 15-6905.
  • Motion for Summary Judgment granted in favor of Landrieu and the City of New Orleans against plaintiffs’ declaratory and injunctive relief action to declare the City Ordinance deeming confederate monuments nuisances as unconstitutional and in violation of federal law, and to prevent the subsequent removal of four prominent confederate monuments. The decision was upheld by the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Counsel for City of New Orleans

  • Scott Laurent v. City of New Orleans, et al.
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, Docket No. 14-2022
  • Motion for Summary Judgment granted in favor of the City of New Orleans in an asbestos survival action.

Counsel for City of New Orleans and employees

  • Damian Brown v. City of New Orleans, et al.
  • 24th JDC, Division P, Docket No. 742-241.
  • Bench trial in motor vehicle negligence case; verdict in favor of the City of New Orleans and its employees.

Counsel for City of New Orleans and employees

  • Walter Penton, et al v. City of New Orleans, et al.
  • Orleans Parish Civil District Court, Division F, Docket No. 2012-3095.
  • Bench trial in motor vehicle negligence case with significant medicals; verdict in favor of the City of New Orleans and its employees.

Counsel for City of New Orleans

  • Delta Staff Leasing v. City of New Orleans
  • Orleans Parish Civil District Court, Division M, Docket No. 11-5493.
  • Bench trial on breach of contract claims; verdict in favor of the City of New Orleans.

Counsel for City of New Orleans

  • Walter Powers, et al v. City of New Orleans, et al.
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, Docket No. 13-5993.
  • Bench trial in declaratory action to declare City Ordinance on Office of Police Secondary Employment unconstitutional; verdict in favor of the City of New Orleans.

Counsel for Zurich American Insurance Company

  • Tim Sosebee v. Steadfast Insurance Company, et al.
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, Docket No. 09-4138
  • Motion for Summary Judgment granted in favor of Zurich American Insurance Company on the issue of insurance coverage in a maritime personal injury case.

Counsel for The Cato Corporation

  • Gloria Smith Bell v. The Cato Corporation.
  • United States District Court, Western District of Louisiana, Docket No. 10-0908.
  • Jury trial in premises liability personal injury case with significant medicals; mixed verdict in favor of The Cato Corporation.

Presiding Judge

Upscale Fashions, Inc., et al. v. Underwriters at Lloyd’s London, et al.

  • Orleans Parish Civil District Court, Division J, Docket No. 2008-8563.
  • Bench trial on insurance agent negligence in failure to procure sufficient insurance; plaintiff verdict (total judgment for $59,909 – defendant 100% liable).

Coastal Cargo v. Lamco Transport, et al.

  • Orleans Parish Civil District Court, Division J, Docket No. 2015-1686.
  • Jury trial on complex property damage and bad-faith claims; mixed verdict in favor of plaintiff (total judgment for $538,759 – defendant found 80% liable).

Christopher Causey, et al. v. New Orleans Regional Transit Authority, et al.

  • Orleans Parish Civil District Court, Division J, Docket No. 2015-0534.
  • Bench trial on personal injury negligence claims; defense verdict (case valued at $30,000).

Betty Ann Breaux Difiore v. Huntington Ingalls, Inc. et al.

  • Orleans Parish Civil District Court, Division J, Docket No. 2016-10800.
  • Jury trial in asbestos exposure case; settled on the third day of trial (case valued between $5-7mil).

Other Experience

  • Resolved hundreds of cases for a major insurance client following Hurricane Katrina.
  • Represented the Orleans Parish School Board in all aspects of defense litigation, as well as novel issues specific to education. She litigated hundreds of cases and was able to expand her litigation experience to include all insurance law (property and casualty, liability and coverage, and bad-faith claims), maritime law, commercial litigation, general liability, construction defects, environmental/toxic tort liability, subrogation, and workers’ compensation matters. The cases that she handled often included complex and high-exposure litigation.

Involvement

Professional

  • Loyola University New Orleans, Board of Trustees
  • Loyola University New Orleans, Ethics Review Board
  • Local Rules Committee of the Eastern District of Louisiana, Member
  • U.S. Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel by appointment of the United States Eastern District of Louisiana, Member, Present
  • Liskow’s Co-Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer
  • Mediations Arbitration Professional Systems, Inc. ("Maps"), Panel of Neutrals
  • Tulane University Law School – Former Adjunct Professor, Negotiation and Mediation
  • Loyola University College of Law – Skills Instructor, Negotiation and Mediation
  • Association of Law Firm Diversity Professionals
  • Association for Women Attorneys
  • The National Black Lawyers
  • American Arbitration Association
  • Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Legal Society
    • President, 2007 – 2008
    • Board of Governors, 2006 – 2009
  • National Bar Association
    • Annual Convention Planning Committee Co-Chair, 2010
    • National Board of Governors, 2008 – 2009
    • Regional Board of Governors, 2006 – 2007
  • American Inn of Court, A.P. Tureaud Chapter
  • Defense Research Institute
    • Diversity Planning Committee, 2007
  • Louisiana State Bar Association
  • New Orleans Bar Association, Board of Directors, 2024
  • Federal Bar Association

Community

  • French Quarter Festival, Board of Directors, 2021 – Present
  • The Pro Bono Project, Board of Directors, 2023 - Present
  • The Pro Bono Project’s Justice for All Ball, Planning Committee, 2022 – Present
  • Bridge House/Grace House, Board of Directors, 2020 – 2023

Recognition

  • Louisiana Super Lawyers, Civil Litigation, 2022-2026
  • New Orleans CityBusiness Women of the Year Class of 2020 
  • New Orleans Magazine “Top Lawyer," 2022
  • The National Black Lawyers, "Top 100," 2020 
  • American Bar Association, Fellow, 2020-Present 
  • Louisiana Super Lawyers, “Rising Stars,” Civil Litigation, 2012, 2014 
  • Loyola University College of Law, Black Law Students Association (BLSA) Distinguished Alumni Award, 2009 
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Energy Law, 2025-2026

Credentials

Education

  • Loyola University New Orleans College of Law (J.D., 2002)
  • Loyola University (B.A., Psychology, 1998)

Bar Admissions

  • Louisiana, 2002
  • Texas, 2024

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, 2011
  • U.S. District Court, Western District, Louisiana, 2008
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District, Louisiana, 2008
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District, Louisiana, 2007

Presentations

  • "Building a Multigenerational Law Firm Culture," Meritas 2026 Annual General Meeting, New Orleans, LA April 24, 2026
  • "Voice, Visibility & Influence: The New Metrics of Leadership Success," Women in Law & Leadership: Houston, March 4, 2026
  • “Arbitration Skills – Beyond the Basics,” National Organization of Lawyers for Education Associations (“NOLEA”) Annual Conference, October 15, 2025
  • "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Legal Industry Post-Election CLE," New Orleans Bar Association, February 13, 2025
  • "Ethics & Professionalism: Watch Your P's & Q's," Louisiana Bar Association, December 6, 2024
  • "'Soak Up the Sun" in Trial Practice," New Orleans Bar Association Bench Bar Conference, March 23, 2024
  • "Creating a Culture of inClusion in your Clique," Liskow's Energy Law Seminar, October 26, 2023
  • "Second Movement – Direct and Cross Examination," LSBA CLE during Jazz Fest, April 28, 2023
  • "Professionalism: Diversity? Past, Present, and Future," LSBA Ethics & Professionalism Seminar, December 7, 2022
  • "Post Pandemic Litigation,"  National and Louisiana Judicial Counsel, May 22, 2021 
  • "The Impact of Social Media: Benefits, Burdens & Legal Implications," Louisiana State Bar Association, December 8, 2020 
  • "Conflicts of Interest: When Do You Need Separate Counsel?," Louisiana State Bar Association, December 10, 2019 
  • "Professionalism: High Impact Opening and Closings," Louisiana State Bar Association, December 6, 2019 
  • "Malcolm Monroe Federal Practice Seminar: Recruiting and Self Marketing," December 4, 2019 
  • "How to Try a Case in Ten Days,"  Louisiana Bar Association, December 20, 2017 
  • "Professionalism in the Judiciary,"  Louisiana Bar Association,  December 1, 2017 
  • "Summary Proceedings," City of New Orleans,  July 26, 2017 
  • "Everything You Don't Know About E-Discovery (But Wish You Did)," National Bar Institute, May 15, 2015 

Publications

After Hours

Cherrell was born and raised in New Orleans, is a graduate of St. Mary’s Academy, Loyola University, and Loyola Law School. She is married to a New Orleans musician and has two children. She loves to travel and enjoys all things that New Orleans has to offer, especially Saints games, Mardi Gras, and all the festivals that she can attend.

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