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David W. Leefe
Main image for David W. Leefe

DAVID W. LEEFE

Of Counsel

,
New Orleans
T  504.556.4137
M  504.606.3118
dwleefe@liskow.com
Connect with me
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Practices

  • Litigation
  • Maritime Litigation & Casualty Response
  • Personal Injury & Wrongful Death
  • Emergency & Incident Response

Blogs

  • The Energy Law Blog - David W. Leefe

Assistant

Donna Knowles

504.556.4134

“Over the years, I have learned that clients appreciate direct, practical advice when it comes to problem solving. I take a hands-on approach to investigation and fact gathering, and I rely extensively on our talented group of young lawyers for targeted research when needed. I am proud of the reputation we have earned for being book and street smart – it makes a difference.”

Overview

David Leefe is a member and past Chair of the firm’s Maritime practice group. He has practiced law for 40 years, all with Liskow, and his experience includes a broad range of litigation and contract matters. His practice emphasis is on maritime and oilfield litigation, including personal injury, property damage, drilling and downhole, pipeline, contractual indemnity, and insurance. He has defended hundreds of cases falling under the Jones Act, OCSLA, and general maritime law, and he is regularly called upon to analyze complex questions of oilfield indemnity and insurance. He has extensive litigation and trial experience in federal and state courts.

Talks about

#maritimelitigation #personalinjury #oilfield #indemnityandinsurance #jonesact

Highlights

Client Comment

“David Leefe is an amazing attorney who is well-versed in maritime law. I recommend him whole-heartedly.” – Best Lawyers Client Comment

Recognition

David received the Louisiana State Bar Association’s President’s Award in 2018 for exemplary service to the LSBA. David served as Chair of the LSBA Client Assistance Fund Committee for many years, and as a member of the LSBA Board of Governors and House of Delegates.

Client Comment

“Excellent firm for work in Louisiana. I personally use David Leefe who is top notch!” – Best Lawyers Client Comment, Admiralty & Maritime Law, 2022

Involvement

  • Louisiana State Bar Association, Board of Governors, 2014-2016
  • Louisiana State Bar Association, House of Delegates, 1995-2017
  • Louisiana State Bar Association, Client Protection Fund Committee Chairman, 2006-2021
  • Louisiana Bar Foundation, Sustaining Fellow
  • New Orleans, Louisiana State and American Bar Associations, Member
  • Loyola Law School Alumni Association, Past President
  • Maritime Law Association, Proctor Member
  • Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute
  • Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel
  • New Orleans Association of Defense Counsel

Recognition

  • Recipient of Louisiana State Bar Association’s President’s Award, 2018
  • The Best Lawyers in America, Admiralty and Maritime Law, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, 2007–2025
  • Louisiana Super Lawyers, Transportation & Maritime, 2008-2025
  • New Orleans Magazine’s List of “Top Lawyers,” 2015-2017, 2019
  • New Orleans Pro Bono Project - Distinguished Service Award, 1997 and 1998

Credentials

Education

  • Loyola University New Orleans College of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1982)
    • Loyola Law Review, Note and Comment Editor, 1981–1982
  • Louisiana State University (B.S., 1978)

Bar Admissions

  • Louisiana, 1982

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District, Louisiana
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District, Louisiana
  • U.S. District Court, Western District, Louisiana

Presentations

  • Indemnity and Insurance Issues in Oilfield Contracts CLE Presentation for Schlumberger, September 29, 2023
  • “Oilfield Casualty Insurance – Is it Covered (#2),” Oilfield Indemnity and Insurance Seminar, 2018
  • “Oilfield Casualty Insurance – Is it Covered,” Oilfield Indemnity and Insurance Seminar, 2016
  • “Mock Negotiation of an Oilfield Contract,” Oilfield Indemnity and Insurance Seminar, 2014
  • “Contractual Indemnity and Insurance – the Basics,” Oilfield Indemnity and Insurance Seminar, 2012
  • "Offshore Liabilities and Litigation," Houston Association of Professional Landmen, November 17, 2011
  • “Anatomy of an Oilfield Casualty,” Oilfield Indemnity and Insurance Seminar, 2009
  • “Current Developments in Maritime Personal Injury,” New Orleans Bar Association Luncheon Presentation, 2007
  • “Recent Trends and Developments in Contractual Indemnity and Insurance,” Oilfied Indemnity and Insurance Seminar, 2006
  • “Recent Developments – OCSLA Jurisdiction,” LSBA 13th Annual Admiralty Seminar, 2006
  • “Litigating Oilfield Construction Disputes and Builder’s Risk Insurance Claims,” Oilfield Indemnity and Insurance Seminar, 2004
  • “Attorney-Client Privilege,” Confidentiality and Ethics Seminar, 2004
  • “Drafting and Negotiating Contractual Indemnity and Insurance Provisions,” Oilfield Indemnity and Insurance Seminar, 1998
  • “Oilfield Indemnity, Insurance and Contractual Risk Allocation,” Energy Week Seminar, 1997
  • “Enforceability of Mediation Agreements,” Offshore Marine Supply Association, 1997
  • “The IADC Drilling Contract - Advantages and Disadvantages,” Oilfield Indemnity and Insurance Seminar, 1995
  • “Indemnity and Insurance,” Oilfield Seminar, 1992
  • “Effective Management of Litigation,” Schlumberger North American Litigation Seminar, 1991
  • “Maintenance and Cure Update,” River and Marine Industries Seminar, 1991
  • “Maintenance and Cure,” River and Marine Industries Seminar, 1990

Publications

  • "The Fifth Circuit Further Clarifies Service Contract and Insurance Interplay Under Texas Law," Liskow & Lewis' The Energy Law Blog, July 6, 2015
  • "Client Assistance Fund: Compensating for Lawyer Misdeeds, Repairing the Negative Image," 60 La. Bar Journal 32 (June/July 2012)
  • "Fifth Circuit Symposium - Admiralty," 37 Loy. L. Rev. 433 (1991)
  • "Forum Non Conveniens and the Foreign Seaman, Fisher v. AGIOS NICOLAIS," 27 Loy. L. Rev. 309 (1981)

After Hours

"Growing up and living in New Orleans, I thrive on all of the special things the area has to offer – fishing, hunting, eating, cooking, music, nightlife, college and professional sports. New Orleans is a great place to live and work, and I love sharing all the city has to offer with friends and visitors."

WHAT’S TRENDING WITH David

  • News
    05.06.25
    59 Liskow Lawyers Selected to 2025 Louisiana Super Lawyers, Rising Stars
    less than a minute
  • News
    08.15.24
    118 Liskow Lawyers Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® (BL Rankings) 2025
    5 minute read
  • News
    12.21.23
    Fifty-One Liskow Attorneys Selected to 2024 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Rising Stars, Thomson Reuters
    less than a minute
  • News
    08.17.23
    114 Liskow Lawyers Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® (BL Rankings) 2024
    5 minute read
  • News
    12.22.22
    Fifty-Five Liskow Lawyers Selected to 2023 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Rising Stars, Thomson Reuters
    less than a minute
  • News
    08.18.22
    85 Liskow Lawyers Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© (BL Rankings) 2023
    4 minute read
  • News
    01.12.22
    Forty-Eight Liskow Lawyers Selected to 2022 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Rising Stars, Thomson Reuters
    less than a minute
  • News
    08.19.21
    74 Lawyers Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2022 Edition
    3 minute read
  • News
    01.04.21
    Forty-One Liskow Lawyers Selected to 2021 Louisiana Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters
    less than a minute
  • News
    08.20.20
    Sixty-Two Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America, BL Rankings, LLC, 2021 Edition
    3 minute read
View All
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