Sean T. McLaughlin

Partner

  • New Orleans
"Sean is a litigator who advises clients across a broad spectrum of industries, including energy, maritime, commercial real estate, and tax. Sean partners with his clients by advising them on ways to proactively manage risk, resolve disputes, and, when needed, present their case to the fact-finder, judge or jury."

Litigator and first-chair trial counsel, Sean McLaughlin, has represented clients in bench and jury trials in various state courts, federal courts, tax courts, and administrative tribunals throughout the continental United States. He represents businesses, individuals, and other organizations in disputes involving breach of contract, commercial leases, tax controversies, high-exposure personal injury cases, and contractual indemnity/additional insured status. Sean has experience in every level of trial advocacy, including voir dire, opening and closing statements, cross-examination of witnesses, Daubert challenges, and evidentiary hearings.

Sean has resolved serious, high-stakes litigation and obtained favorable outcomes for clients not just at trial, but also on summary judgment and in mediation. He is valued for litigation and trial tactics that reflect his client’s goals and overarching dispute resolution strategy. He believes in keeping disputes professional at every turn to avoid the often expensive and unnecessary acrimony that goes with getting personal.

Skilled in evaluating claims from all points of view, Sean is candid and forthright with his clients about their chances of success and possible paths to resolution. Inside and outside of the courtroom, in briefings, and at trial with the jury, Sean’s approach to remaining impartial without compromising client positions is manifest in clear arguments that resonate with the fact finder and lead to satisfactory outcomes for his clients.

During law school, Sean clerked for the Louisiana Department of Justice and the Legislative Bureau of the Louisiana Senate. In addition, Sean externed with the Honorable Judge James J. Brady of the United States Middle District Court. This experience gave him first-hand exposure to the inner workings of the judicial process and how controversies and solutions are approached and analyzed from that distinct perspective, and this helped him hone his personal brand of client advocacy. At the onset of his career, this is where Sean learned to develop arguments based upon fact and the law rather than personal acrimony – all of which contribute to the credibility he has earned with judges and juries today.

  • LSU Law Center, J.D., magna cum laude
    • Member, Order of the Coif
    • Member, Louisiana Law Review
  • LSU, B.A.
    • Member, Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity

Bar Admissions

  • Louisiana

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. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Tax Court