Thomas Cortazzo

Partner

Tom.Cortazzo@lewisbrisbois.com

Thomas Cortazzo is the administrative partner in the New Orleans office of Lewis Brisbois and a member of the Complex Business & Commercial Litigation Practice. For more than 30 years, Tom has litigated cases ranging from various forms of commercial litigation, to toxic tort and asbestos cases, to personal injury and other insurance defense matters, in state, federal, and appellate courts in Louisiana. He is a certified mediator through the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and has helped clients resolve matters through arbitration and mediation. In addition, he has litigated before administrative tribunals.

In commercial litigation, Tom has represented clients in a large number of industries in all sorts disputes including breach of contract, both complex and routine, and other commercial disputes; construction disputes; breach of fiduciary duty; profession liability; unfair competition and unfair and deceptive trade practice claims; fraud and misrepresentation; unjust enrichment and detrimental reliance; misappropriation; self-dealing; mismanagement; trade secrets; noncompetition covenants; shareholder, corporate governance and other corporate disputes; company dissolutions; lender liability; employment and wrongful termination; breach of warranty; lease, sale and other real estate disputes; and succession disputes. In asbestos and toxic tort litigation, Tom has defended premises owners, refineries and other industrial facilities, employers, executive officers, product manufacturers, distributors, and retailers.

Tom has been recognized for excellence by numerous legal publications, including rankings in Best Lawyers in America (Commercial Litigation), New Orleans Magazine (listed as a “Top Lawyer of New Orleans” for Alternative Dispute Resolution, Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Insurance Law and Gaming Law), and Super Lawyers (Business Litigation). He is regularly invited to speak on legal topics to business groups, legal associations, and schools, and has authored many articles for legal publications. 

A native of New Orleans, Tom earned his Bachelor of Public Administration Degree, summa cum laude, from Loyola University College of Business, where he attended on academic scholarship. He received his Juris Doctor from Loyola University School of Law in 1987, where he was a member and Comment/Casenote Editor of the Loyola Law Review and a moot court teaching assistant. Tom stays active in the community, being involved in organizations such as the Loyola University School of Law Alumni Association Board, the Westbank Business and Industry Association, the Athlos Academy of Jefferson Parish School Board, and the Rotary Club of Carrollton.

Primary Area(s) of Practice

  • Complex Business & Commercial Litigation
  • Construction
  • Insurance Coverage
  • Professional Liability
  • Asbestos Litigation
  • General Liability
  • COVID-19: Insurance Coverage
  • COVID-19: Commercial & Contractual Litigation Disputes

Additional Experience

Admissions

Louisiana

All United States District Courts in Louisiana

United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Associations

  • Westbank Business & Industry Association, Board Member
    • Co-chair, Environmental and Governmental Affairs Committee
  • Loyola University School of Law Alumni Association Board, Past-president
  • Athlos Academy of Jefferson Parish School Board, Member
  • Carrollton Rotary Children’s Foundation, Member

Awards & Honors

  • The Best Lawyers in America, 2018—2024: Commercial Litigation
  • Top Lawyers (peer reviewed), Biz New Orleans Magazine
    • Commercial Litigation, 2017—2023
  • Louisiana Super Lawyers, 2017—2021
  • Top Lawyers (peer reviewed), New Orleans Magazine
    • Commercial Litigation, 2016
    • Commercial Litigation and Gaming Law, 2013—2014
    • Insurance Law and Construction Law, 2009

Professional Presentations

“2022 Recent Developments in Legislation & Jurisprudence,” presenter, LSU Law CLE Conference, December 16, 2022

Education

Loyola University of New Orleans College of Law

Juris Doctor, 1987

Loyola University College of Business

Bachelor of Science in Public Administration, summa cum laude, 1984

Certifications

Certified Mediator, American Arbitration Association (AAA)