Ranked in 1 Practice Areas

Star Individuals

Litigation: General Commercial

Louisiana

21 Years Ranked

About

Provided by Phillip A Wittmann

USA

Practice Areas

Class and Mass Action Litigation

Business Litigation

Products Liability

Family Law

Appellate

Antitrust

Toxic Tort Litigation

Career

Phil Wittmann joined Stone Pigman in 1961 and concentrates his practice in commercial litigation, class actions, toxic tort litigation, products liability, and antitrust matters. He has extensive trial experience, maintains an active litigation practice, and is a frequent lecturer. He also has an active family law practice. Notably, Phil represented Dole Food Company in litigation in state court filed by banana workers alleging personal injuries resulting from application of pesticides on banana plantations. Additionally, he defended Papa John's® Pizza slogan in a false advertisement suit alleging that Papa John's advertising slogan violated the false advertising laws. He has also represented R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., Merck, and several oil and gas companies in a variety of litigation, including ExxonMobil Corporation, ConocoPhillips, and Phillips Petroleum Company.

Professional Memberships

New Orleans Bar Association Past President.

Judicial Conference of the United States Civil Rules Committee member.

American Bar Association's House of Delegates member.

Louisiana State Board of Legal Specialization former Chair.

Phil is a member of the House of Delegates, the Continuing Legal Education Committee, and the Antitrust Section of the Louisiana State

Bar Association.

American College of Trial Lawyers Fellow.

American Academy of Appellate Lawyers Fellow.

International Society of Barristers Fellow.

Litigation Counsel of America Senior Fellow.

Experience

Represented ConocoPhillips in a toxic tort class action alleging personal injuries resulting from refinery emissions in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Represented Dole Food Company in litigation in state court filed by banana workers alleging personal injuries resulting from application of pesticides on banana plantations.

Represented Merck & Co., Inc. as Defendants' Liaison Counsel in multi-district litigation in the Vioxx Litigation.

Represented ExxonMobil Corporation in litigation alleging damage to coastal marshes and claims relating to Hurricane Katrina.

Defended Papa John's® Pizza slogan in a false advertisement suit alleging that Papa John's advertising slogan violated the false advertising laws.

Represented R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company in defending a nationwide class action against the tobacco industry. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decertified the class.

Represented New York Life Insurance Company in a state-wide class action asserting claims for damages resulting from the sale of so-called "vanishing premium" life insurance policies. The case was decertified by the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal and affirmed on appeal by the Louisiana Supreme Court. This is one of the leading Louisiana cases on class certification.

Represented International Paper Company and the Masonite Corporation in defense of a nation-wide class action asserting product defects in Masonite hardboard siding. The case was tried to verdict and resulted in a split decision and was settled pending appeal.

Represented VISA International Service Association, Inc. in defense of a class action on behalf of a class of internet gamblers asserting

liability against VISA for extending credit on their VISA cards. The trial court dismissed the case on Rule 12 motions.

Obtained a favorable settlement for Waste Management in a class action suit alleging personal injuries resulting from exposure to a permitted hazardous waste disposal facility in Grand Bois, Louisiana.

Represented Phillips Petroleum Company in a toxic tort class action filed on behalf of approximately 8,000 residents residing in eastern New Orleans alleging personal injuries resulting from a tank car fire and explosion. The case, tried to verdict for 20 bellwether plaintiffs, resulted in several zero awards and generally favorable defense verdicts.

Education

Tulane University School of Law

J.D.

1961

Tulane University

Bachelors

1956

Awards

Best Lawyers in America

Best Lawyers

Louisiana Super Lawyers

Super Lawyers

New Orleans Magazine "Top Lawyer"

New Orleans Magazine

New Orleans Bar Association's Presidents' Award

New Orleans Bar Association

2015

Federal Bar Association New Orleans Chapter's John R. "Jack" Martzell Professionalism Award

Federal Bar Association New Orleans Chapter

2011

Louisiana Bar Foundation's Distinguished Attorney Award

Louisiana Bar Foundation

2010

Louisiana Bar Foundation's Curtis Boisfontaine Trial Advocacy Award

Louisiana Bar Foundation

2008

American Inns of Court Professionalism Award in the Fifth Circuit

American Inns of Court

2005

G. Duffield Smith Outstanding Publication Award from the Defense Research Institute

Defense Research Institute

2000

Tulane Law School Alumni Hall of Fame

Tulane Law School

2015

Benchmark Litigation Local Litigation Star

Benchmark Litigation

2020

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