Arthur H. Leith
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Arthur “Art” Leith has over 30 years experience in handling complex litigation in a variety of state and federal courts and before arbitration panels. His practice includes construction litigation, commercial litigation, toxic torts, and personal injury claims. Art has represented owners, general contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, and surety companies in a variety of claims involving both public and private construction projects. These construction claims have included claims against performance and payment bonds, lien claims, claims for delays, acceleration of performance, changes in scope, and deficiencies in performance, as well as casualty losses. Art has also represented insurance companies, insurance brokers, and large corporations in various commercial, toxic tort, and personal injury claims, and has represented insurers in coverage litigation and bad faith claims.

Art has handled cases in state and federal courts (at both trial and appellate levels) in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida as well as arbitration and mediation proceedings.

Art has defended thousands of asbestos claims in cases filed in both state and federal courts throughout Louisiana and Texas. These cases included claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other alleged asbestos-related malignancies, as well as non-malignancy claims. Many of these claims have been dismissed without payment. Some have been amicably resolved to the client’s satisfaction, and some have been tried to conclusion.

Industries

Services

Representative Trials

  • Ray F. Rando v. Anco Insulations Inc., 08-1163 (La. 05/22/09); 16 So. 3d 1065, 1073. Art represented an employer defendant seeking to change Louisiana law so that employers would have the benefit of workers’ compensation immunity in asbestos claims brought by their own employees asserting mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other cancers. Art tried this living mesothelioma case to conclusion. The trial court in East Baton Rouge Parish awarded the plaintiff $3.2 million and found that there were eight “heads” or virile shares. We appealed that decision. The Louisiana Supreme Court ultimately decided not to change Louisiana law regarding workers’ compensation immunity on a closely divided vote.
  • Bruce A. Spillman v. Anco Insulations, Inc., et al., 19th Judicial District Court, Parish of East Baton Rouge, Civil Action No. 536,903. In this mesothelioma case, Art represented a contractor defendant sued under the theory that its operations at the Exxon Refinery in Baton Rouge had exposed the plaintiff (an Exxon employee) to asbestos. A judgment was rendered in favor of the client after a trial on the merits in state court in Baton Rouge.
  • Ronald Millender, Jr., et al. v. American Insurance Company, et al., 18th Judicial District Court, Parish of Iberville, Civil Action No. 63286. In this mesothelioma case, Art represented a contractor defendant sued under the theory that its operations at the Dow facility in Plaquemine, Louisiana had exposed the plaintiff (a Dow employee) to asbestos. Art participated in a jury trial in state court in Iberville Parish that lasted for five weeks. At the conclusion of the plaintiff’s case, the Judge granted our motion for directed verdict dismissing the plaintiff’s claims for punitive damages. A settlement of plaintiff’s claims was reached soon thereafter.

Education

  • Georgetown University Law Center (J.D., 1983)
  • University of Rochester (B.A., magna cum laude, 1980)

Admissions

Bar Admissions
  • Louisiana