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Walter J. Gallant

Partner

  • location icon Houston, TX
    24 Greenway Plaza
    Suite 1400
    Houston, TX 77046

Walter Gallant is a partner in the Houston office of Lewis Brisbois and a member of the Marine & Energy Practice. His primary focus is maritime defense including personal injury and wrongful death defense, property damage claims, commercial disputes including breach of contract and business torts, products liability matters, and insurance-related issues, mainly in connection with maritime, offshore construction and energy industries.

Mr. Gallant regularly handles claims arising out of accidents, fires and explosions occurring at and around industrial facilities, maritime terminals, and offshore exploration and production vessels and facilities, together with claims regarding inland, near-shore and blue water vessels of all descriptions. He handles commercial matters in litigation and arbitrations arising in connection with industrial and marine fabrication projects, and offshore installation, maintenance, repair and service contracts.

Other marine matters for which Mr. Gallant is retained include cargo loss, damage, contamination claims, collisions, groundings, wake damage, charter party disputes, marine property damage, and economic loss claims. He also handles a wide range of defense litigation involving non-maritime personal injury and property damage, transportation, energy matters, accidents occurring in and around land-based oil and gas operations and facilities, as well as commercial and contract disputes and insurance coverage opinions.

Mr. Gallant holds a commercial helicopter license, and has represented helicopter companies in the Gulf of Mexico area in litigation involving crashes, forced landings and commercial disputes.

Offices Held

Past Board of Directors, South Eastern Admiralty Law Institute (SEALI)

Military Service

While attending the University of Rhode Island, Mr. Gallant was awarded an Army R.O.T.C. scholarship. Upon graduation in 1984, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Aviation branch, Regular Army. Mr. Gallant attended the Aviation Officer’s Basic Course at Ft. Rucker, Alabama, graduating first in his class. Wally then attended flight school at Ft. Rucker, completing the Aeroscout track. He also completed Airborne and Air Assault training. He served with the 2nd Armored Division, at Ft. Hood, Texas, flying the OH-58 scout helicopter in the Division’s Aviation Brigade, as well as with Charlie Troop, 2nd Squadron, 1st United States Cavalry. Upon completion of his military obligation, he resigned his commission as a Captain to attend law school.

Admissions

  • State Bar Admissions
    • Texas
  • United States District Courts
    • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
    • United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
    • United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
  • United States Courts of Appeals
    • United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • United States Supreme Court

Admissions

Texas

United States Southern, Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas

Fifth Circuit, US Supreme Court

Associations

  • Texas State Bar
  • Houston Bar Association
  • Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute
  • Houston Maritime Arbitration Association
  • Garland Walker Inn of Court
  • Houston Mariners Club
  • Sigma Chi Fraternity, Life Loyal Sig

Awards & Honors

Best Lawyers in America® - 'Best Lawyers' Admiralty and Maritime Law (2024)

Education

University of Rhode Island

Bachelor of Arts, 1984

South Texas College of Law

Juris Doctor, 1992

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