An experienced and skilled advocate in and out of state and federal court, Karen Waters Shields brings a deep bench of honed skills to litigating, arbitrating, defending, and prosecuting a wide variety of admiralty and oil and gas casualty, personal injury, and property damage claims, as well as contract and breach of contract claims. Admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, Karen has a proven history of successful outcomes in resolving high-stakes personal claims and disputes.
Karen advises on Jones Act claims, General Maritime Law claims, and claims involving onshore and offshore Gulf of Mexico oil and gas exploration. She has handled and resolved lawsuits involving crane accidents, diving incidents, drilling rigs, vessels, platform explosions, well blowouts, oil and gas reservoir damage, vessel collisions and allisions, pipeline damage, vessel damage, platform damage, and barge damage.
In addition to her extensive and formidable litigation and dispute resolution practice, Karen drafts, reviews, and – if necessary – litigates various maritime and oil and gas commercial contracts. She has successfully negotiated, documented, and litigated a wide array of contracts and breach of contract claims, including charter agreements, master service agreements, contracts of affreightment, demurrage claims, and royalty and operating agreements. Moreover, Karen advises on and brings considerable skill to handling matters involving construction law, including construction defects, as well as matters involving product liability, consumer credit reporting, gaming industry claims, and general workplace personal injury.
The ultimate collaborator, Karen thrives on helping clients and colleagues find novel solutions to serious problems. On attack or defense, in and out of court, in tactical negotiation, at trial, or on appeal, Karen is all about devising the right strategy so that her clients realize the most favorable outcomes imaginable. Her authenticity is often a major component in establishing trust with everyone around her. And authenticity is one of her superpowers. Karen connects with clients on a personal level to understand what they are looking for and their tolerance for risk. She delivers straightforward advice, and her authenticity and straight-talk nature result in the highest levels of collaboration and effectiveness.
A smart and practical advocate who believes every client and matter is unique, Karen delivers customized legal solutions and strategies that address and overcome even the grayest area legal problems and complex disputes. She thrives in making novel arguments grounded in sound legal theory, which has resulted in a plethora of important, reported cases during her decades of practice. Karen proves, repeatedly, her natural ability to engage with people – whether the court, opposing counsel, witnesses, deponents, or others. She is particularly effective when de-escalating acrimony because that is often essential to realizing her client’s best outcome.
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Tulane Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1998
- Recipient, Certificate of Specialization in Admiralty Law
- Emory University, B.A., 1993
Bar Admissions
- Louisiana
- New Jersey
- New York
Courts
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
- AV Preeminent-rated, Martindale-Hubbell
- “Port and Maritime Power 20,” New Orleans CityBusiness, 2024
- “Super Lawyers,” Louisiana Super Lawyers, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024
- “Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers,” Martindale-Hubbell, 2013
- “Women of the Year,” New Orleans CityBusiness, 2012
- “Leadership in Law,” New Orleans CityBusiness, 2011