Neil is counsel in the tort litigation practice in the New Orleans office. He practices in the area of toxic tort exposure, class actions, products liability, tort and maritime personal injuries, property damage, and insurance coverage litigation. Prior to joining Phelps Dunbar, he served as a judicial clerk for The Honorable Frank J. Polozola, United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana.

• Louisiana State University, J.D., 1992; Order of the Coif; Editor-in-Chief, Louisiana Law Review
• Dartmouth College, B.A., 1989

• Member: Louisiana State Bar Association; New Orleans Bar Association; American Bar Association, Vice-Chair of Toxic Tort and Environmental Law Committee of the Trial Insurance Practice section; New Orleans Inn of Court; Louisiana State Law Institute; Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel; Bar Association of the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

• Representation of nationwide retailer in defense of personal injury and property damage claims in the State of Louisiana.
• Representation of two domestic and one foreign insurance companies in defense of Hurricane Katrina claims, including issues involving the water damage exclusion, Valued Policy Law (VPL), and adjustment practices.
• Representation of local oil and gas company in legacy suits involving claims of property and groundwater contamination.
• Representation of insurance company in defense of a statewide class action by policyholders asserting breach of contract, detrimental reliance, and unjust enrichment claims. The case was successfully removed to federal court and plaintiffs' motion to remand was defeated. The entire case was then successfully dismissed in federal district court on preliminary Rule 12 motions and successfully defended on appeal, where it was affirmed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
• Representation of insurance company in defense of a suit by a Louisiana legislatively-created body asserting claims for breach of statutory obligations and fraud. The entire case was dismissed following the successful appeal of a motion for summary judgment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
• Representation of insurance company in defense of direct action claims by plaintiffs asserting coverage for property damage and personal injury claims involving residential construction, including defective design allegations and water and mold damage.
• Representation of chemical manufacturing company in defense of a class action case involving the release of anhydrous ammonia. The incident resulted in thousands of individual claims for personal injury, business interruption, and inconvenience. Class certification was opposed and successfully defeated.
• Representation of dock and terminal owner in defense of two class action cases arising out of separate releases of crude oil fumes. These cases involve several thousand individual claims for personal injury, property damage, and inconvenience.
• Representation of recreational watercraft manufacturer in defense of maritime personal injury and products liability claims. Also represents company in defense of claims for rescission of sale and property damage.
• Representation of railroad company in defense of three class action cases involving claims for personal injury, property damage, business interruption, inconvenience, and environmental damage. The first case involved potential claims by twenty thousand individuals and businesses arising out of the derailment of a train containing hazardous material. Class certification was vigorously opposed and the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the district court's class certification ruling. The second case involved claims by a nationwide group of employees for alleged chemical exposure in the workplace. Plaintiffs dismissed all of their claims following pre-trial motion practice, including removal to federal court and a motion to dismiss. The third case involved claims for alleged exposure to hazardous substances by residents living near a soil-blending facility on railroad property. Plaintiffs' class certification allegations were dismissed and later all of their individual claims were also dismissed.
• Representation of foreign manufacturer in defense of product liability case involving serious personal injuries.
• Representation of petroleum corporation in defense of tort and maritime personal injury and property damage claims, including long-term, occupational chemical exposures. Also provided counseling on oilfield indemnity and insurance coverage matters.
• Representation of dock and vessel owner in defense of maritime personal injury and property damage claims.
• Representation of vessel operators in defense of maritime personal injury and property damage claims.
• Representation of an office products manufacturer in defense of product liability/personal injury claims involving allegations of manufacturing defects and failure to warn.
• Representation of the local professional hockey team, in defense of personal injury and premises liability claims.
• Representation of corporate owner of local restaurant franchise on matters involving personal injury, property damage, insurance coverage, and contract counseling.