Martha Y. Curtis is a member (partner) of Sher Garner Cahill Richter Klein & Hilbert, L.L.C. Ms. Curtis was one of the founding members of Sher Garner law firm when it opened its doors in January, 1999. It has since grown into one of the top New Orleans law firms with over 40 attorneys and more than 80 employees...

Law Firm Info
Reviews

FindLaw.com is doing its part in combating fake reviews. All reviews:

Go through email verification, and reviewers must verify their email addresses.
Can be confirmed and flagged as a verified client by law firms.
Can be reported and subjected to removal if they violate FindLaw.com's Terms of Service.

Click here to view our Terms of Service.

Write A Review

Write a review

Write Your Review

Fields marked with an * are required

1. Rating

Overall rating

How would you rate your overall experience with this lawyer?

Use the up and down arrows to increase or decrease the rating

Please Rate

Optional ratings

Value

Please Rate

Quality Of Service

Please Rate

Professional Competence

Please Rate

2. Review

Your opinion matters

Please share your opinion of working with this attorney. Do not reveal personal information or details about your case. All submitted reviews are shared with the attorney prior to publishing.

Your feedback must be at least 50 characters.Your review must be at least 50 characters

I would recommend this attorney to friends and family: Yes

3. Verification

First nameFirst Name provided is not valid

Last nameLast Name provided is not valid

For verification purposes only.

E-mail provided is not valid

Keep my name anonymous from public view:Yes

Customer Type

Hired Attorney Consulted Attorney Please choose one

Service start yearService Start Year is not valid

Service end yearService End Year is not valid

Please confirm you are not a robot

By submitting this form you agree to receive email communications from FindLaw related to the management of your review.

Privacy Statement Contact Lawyer FAQ

Reason for reporting this postPlease select an option

Email (for verification purposes only)E-mail provided is not valid

About Martha Y. Curtis

Current Employment Position(s)

Member

Practice Areas

Bad Faith Insurance
Business & Commercial Law
Insurance Defense
Insurance Law
Litigation & Appeals
COVID-19 Legal Issues

Representative Cases

Pontchartrain Nat. Gas Sys. v. Tex. Brine Co., 317 So. 3d 715 (La. App. 1st Cir. 2020)
Palermo v. Century Indemnity Company, 248 So.3d 462 (La. App. 3rd Cir. 2018)
Texas Brine Company, LLC and Occidental Chemical Corporation, 879 F.3d 1224 (10th Circ. 2018)
Crosstex Energy Services, LP v. Texas Brine Company, LLC, , 240 So.3d 1024 (La. App. 1st Cir. 2017)
Claimant ID 100128765 v. BP Exploration & Production, Incorporated, , 2017 WL 4310087 (5th Cir. 2017)
Claimant ID 100247288 v. BP Exploration & Production, Incorporated, 688 Fed.Appx. 265 (5th Cir. 2017)
Florida Gas Transmission Co. v. Texas Brine Co., No. 2015-1331, 2016 WL 7407344 (La. App. 1st Cir. 2016)
Florida Gas Transmission Co. v. Texas Brine Co., No. 2015-1332, 2016 WL 7407345 (La. App. 1st Cir. 2016)
ART Janitorial Services, L.L.C. v. Progressive Waste Solutions of Louisiana, Inc., No. 2016-01292, 2016 WL 7155884 (E.D. La 2016)
Louapre v. Booher, So.3d (La. App. 4th Cir. 2016)
Smith v. Regional Transit Authority, 827 F.3d 412 (La. App. 5th Cir. 2016)
Louisiana Crawfish Producers Association—West v. Amerada Hess Corp., 2015 WL 12781021 (W.D. La. 2015)
Morvant v. Maryland Cas. Co., No. 2014-226, 2014 WL 2739423 (E.D.La 2014)
In re Deepwater Horizon, 744 F.3d 370 (La. App. 5th Cir. 2014)
In re Deepwater Horizon, 579 Fed.Appx. 256 (5th Cir. 2014)
727 Toulouse, L.L.C. v. Bistro at the Maison De Ville, L.L.C., 122 So.3d 1152 (La. App. 4th Cir. 2013)
Carmen Group Inc. v. Xavier University of Louisiana, 2014 WL 3015228 (App. D.C. Cir 2014)
Daigle v. Tallow Creek, LLC, No. 2012-1656, 2013 WL 2487746 (La. App. 1st Cir. 2013)
Burrus Mortg. Portfolio Partnership III v. Northern Bank Ltd., No. 2012-1445, 2013 WL 2250151 (E.D. La 2013)
U.S. Fire Ins. Co. v. Housing Authority of New Orleans, 917 F.Supp.2d 581 (E.D. La 2013)
Brooks v. Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, Inc., 110 So.3d 703 (La. App. 4th Cir. 2013)
Rain CII Carbon, LLC v. Kurczy, 2012 WL 3577534 (E.D. La. 2012)
Jefferson Door Co., Inc. v. Cragmar Const., L.L.C., 81 So.3d 1001 (La. App. 4th Cir. 2012)
Spence v. Cassano, 2011 WL 5419710 (La. App. 1st Cir. 2011)
Bisso Marine Co., Inc. v. Marine Response Consultants, Inc., 2011 WL 4381576 (E.D. La. 2011)
Koch v. Lamulle Const., L.L.C., 2009 WL 1270440 (La. App. 1st Cir. 2009)
Khalil v. Ebrahim, 2008 WL 8921976 (La. App. 4th Cir. 2008)
Nassar v. Academy Sports and Outdoors, 227 Fed.Appx. 392 (Miss. 2007)
Touro Infirmary v. Sizeler Architects, 948 So.2d 261 (La.App. 4 Cir. 2006)
Touro Infirmary v. Sizeler Architects, 947 So.2d 740 (La.App. 4 Cir. 2006)
Fergusson v. Allstate Property and Cas. Ins. Co., Not reported in F. Supp. 2d. (S.D. Miss. 2006)
Touro Infirmary v. Sizeler Architects, 900 So.2d 200 (La.App. 4 Cir. 2005)
Exposition Partner, L.L.P. v. King, LeBlanc & Bland L.L.P., 869 So.2d 934 (La.App. 4 Cir. 2004)
Ackel v. Academy Louisiana Co., 821 So.2d 109 (La.App. 5 Cir. 2002)
Estate of Patout v. City of New Iberia, 813 So.2d 1248 (La.App. 3 Cir. 2002)
Squirrel Run Inv. Group, Inc. v. City of New Iberia, 813 So.2d 1253 (La.App. 3 Cir. 2002)
Brown v. Manhattan Life Ins. Co., 791 So.2d 74 (La. 2001)
Squirrel Run Investment Group, Inc. City of New Iberia, 791 So.2d 748 (La.App. 3 Cir. 2001)
Estate of Patout v. City of New Iberia, 791 So.2d 741 (La.App. 3 Cir. 2001)
Smith Barney, Inc. v. Henry, 775 So.2d 722 (Miss. 2001)
Coalition for Good Government v. Louisiana Dept. of Environmental Quality, 772 So.2d 715 (La.App. 1 Cir. 2000)
M.K.L. Dev., L.L.C. v. City of New Orleans, 772 So.2d 711 (La. App.4 Cir. 2000)
Specialty Food Systems, Inc. v. Reliance Ins. Co. of Illinois, 45 F Supp.2d 541 (E.D. La. 1999)
Walls v. American Optical Corp., 740 So.2d 1262 (La. Sup. Ct. 1999)
Estate of Patout v. City of New Iberia, 738 So.2d 544 (La. Sup. Ct. 1999)
Adams v. J.E. Merit Constr., Inc., 712 So.2d 88 (La. Sup. Ct. 1998)
TGX Corp. v. Simmons, 62 F.3d 666 (U.S. 5th Cir. 1995)
Young v. Bichan Partnership, 709 So.2d 794 (La. App. 5 Cir. 1997)
Jones v. Hyatt Corp., 681 So.2d 381 (La. App. 4 Cir. 1995)
Henning Constr. v. First E. Bank & Trust, 635 So.2d 273 (La. App. 4 Cir. 1994)
United States v. 83 Rolex Watches, 992 F.2d 508 (U.S. 5th Cir. 1993)
Cole v. Celotex Corp., 599 So.2d 1086 (La. Sup. Ct. 1992)
Jones v. Administrators of Tulane Educational Fund, WL 5097769 (E.D. La. 1st Cir. 2021)
Shops and Garage at Canal Place, L.L.C. v. Wilson Canal Place II, LLC, WL 3621891 (E.D. La. 2021)
Sika Investments, LLC v. RLI Corporation, WL 2134697 (E.D. La. 2021)
St. Charles Surgical Hospital LLC v. HUB International, Ltd., WL 1561218 (E.D. La. 2021)
VCS, LLC v. Mt. Hawley Insurance Company, WL 1399879 (E.D. La. 2021)
Texas Brine Co., LLC v. Naquin, So.3d (La. 2020)
Deland v. Wright Flood Insurance Co., WL 3872128 (E.D. La. 2018)

Qualifications

Bar Admissions

Louisiana, 1990
Texas, 2000
U.S. Supreme Court, 2003
U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 1991
U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit, 2017
U.S. Court of Federal Claims, 2006
U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia, 2013
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana, 1991
U.S. District Court Middle District of Louisiana, 1991
U.S. District Court Western District of Louisiana, 1991
U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas, 1992
U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas, 1992
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas, 1992
U.S. District Court Western District of Texas, 1993
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Arkansas, 2021
U.S. District Court Western District of Arkansas, 2021

Other Affiliations

Federal Bar Association, New Orleans Chapter- Board Member
FINRA Arbitrator, 2019 - Present
GNO Federal Credit Union, 2016 - Present (Member of the Board of Directors)
Tulane Law Review, Board of Advisory Editors, 1992 - Present (Member)
Tulane Alumni Association, Board of Directors Representing Law School, 1995 - 1997 (Member)
Louisiana Bar Foundation, 2008 - Present (Fellow)
Association for Women Attorneys
New Orleans Association of Defense Counsel

Honors

Best Lawyers in America since 2013, with special designations in Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, 2021 - 2022
American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, 10 Best Personal Injury Female Attorney, 2019
Louisiana Super Lawyers, 2021 - 2022
Local Litigation Star – Plaintiffs in commercial, insurance and tort litigation, Benchmark Plaintiff Litigation Guide to America’s Leading Litigation Firms & Attorneys, 2012-2014
New Orleans CityBusiness - 2013 Women of the Year Honoree
New Orleans CityBusiness - 2010 Leadership in Law Honoree
New Orleans Magazine - Named one of the Top Lawyers in New Orleans, 2009.
Martindale-Hubbell A-V rated since 1999
Senior Managing Editor, Tulane Law Review
Rittenberg-Weinstein Award, Tulane Law Review
Harry S. Truman Scholar from Louisiana, Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation

Classes and Seminars

Louisiana Coverage Issues, Perrin Conferences, June 14, 2016
Construction CPM Conference EnProMaC Construction CPM Conference in New Orleans, February 1, 2016
A City Below Sea Level Rises Above: Exploring the Legal Impacts of Katrina Over the Last Decade Loyola University, College of Law in New Orleans, October 16, 2015
Martinet End of Year CLE, Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, New Orleans Chapter, December 4, 2012
Appellate Judges Education Institute Summit Southern Methodist University/Appellate Judges Education Institute in New Orleans, November 15, 2012
Procrastinators' Programs, New Orleans Bar Association, December 15, 2011
An Ethical Christmas Carol: Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet-to-Come, New Orleans Bar Association, Procrastinators Program, 2011
Civil Court Judicial Forum: Advanced Discovery and Trial Practice, NBI, 2011
Appeals, Appeals, Appeals, Expert of the Bar & Bench, LA State Bar Association, 2010
“May it Please the Court”, Effective Case Presentation at Trial, NBI, 2010
Trying the Bad Faith Insurance Case, A Requiem on Hurricane Cases, Coverage Litigation Committee, American Bar Association, 2009
Drafting the Key Documents in Insurance Coverage Litigation, California Coverage Dreaming on a Winter’s Day, 17th Annual Tort and Insurance Practice Section, Insurance Coverage Litigation Meeting, American Bar Association, 2009
Bench Bar Conference, 2008 is NOBA's License to Practice, NOBA, 2008
Third Party Coverage, NBI, 2007
Trial Academy, Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, 2006
Police Indiscretion Litigation and Claims Avoidance Strategies, Lorman Business Center Inc., 2005
Insurance Law: Third Party Coverage in LA, NBI, 2003
Insurance Bad Faith Claims in LA, NBI, 2003
D & O Liability and Insurance in the New World, Loyola University School of Law, 2002
Adjusting the Automobile Injury Claim in LA, NBI, 2001
Insurance Coverage Law in Louisiana, National Business Institute, 1999
Defending Hotel/Motel Negligent Security Claims, Defense Research Institute, 1997

Pro Bono Activities

Tulane Law School Alumni, Chair of Class of 1990 Reunions for 5th (1995), 10th (2000), 15th (2005) and 20th (2010) years
New Orleans Spring Fiesta Association, Legal Advisor on Advisory Board, 2012 to Present, 2012 - Present
Corresponding Secretary, Society of the Founders of the City of New Orleans, 2011 to Present, 2011 - Present
New Orleans Vanderbilt Club, President, 1998–2000; Alumni Recruiting Chairperson, 1992–1995; Member of Reunion Committee Class for 25th Reunion, 2012
Active member of the Mercy Academy Alumnae Association, former President and Board Member
Jefferson Dollars for Scholars, Vice Chair, Scholarships, June 1, 2003 - June 1, 2005
Catholic Charities New Orleans, Former Member of Advisory Board
Former Board Member, Spirit of ’76 Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution
Volunteer at her children’s past and present schools, St. Catherine of Siena; St. George’s Episcopal School; St. Mary’s Dominican High School

Past Positions

McGlinchey Stafford, Associate, 1991 - 1997
McGlinchey Stafford, Partner, 1998 - 1999
U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge W. Eugene Davis, Law Clerk, 1990 - 1991

Education

Tulane Law School, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1990
J.D.
Honors: summa cum laude
Honors: Order of the Coif
Honors: John Minor Wisdom Award
Law Review: Tulane Law Review, , 1988 - 1990
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, 1987
B.A.
Honors: summa cum laude
Honors: History Honors
Honors: Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
Major: English
Major: History

Fraternities and Sororities

Phi Beta Kappa
Omicron Delta Kappa

Fees

Accepts Credit Cards

Articles

Published Works

The Status and Evolution of First-Party Property Insurance Bad Faith Claims After Hurricane Katrina, 62, Loy. L. Rev. 25, 2016
Tort Law Desk Reference: A Fifty-State Compendium, Contributing Editor, 2015
The Salem Witch Trials 300 Years Later, 64 Tul. L. Rev. 235, 1989
Giepert v. Wingerter: Mandatory Retirement Delayed for Incumbent Louisiana Judges, 63 Tul. L. Rev. 1197, 1989
Two Recent 5th Circuit Cases Liberally Apply Sherman Antitrust Act, 40 La. B.J. 130, 1992
Western District Finds Illegal Tying Agreement in Sugar Cane Leases, 40 La. B.J. 242, 1992

Office Information

Address

909 Poydras StreetSuite 2800 New Orleans, LA 70112

Phone

504-299-2111

Fax

504-299-2311

Email

mcurtis@shergarner.com

Websites

https://www.shergarner.com

When viewing a listing, consider the state advertising restrictions to which lawyers and law firms must adhere, as well as our FindLaw.com Legal Directory disclaimer. Some lawyers publish comparative information regarding the services that they provide which may be subject to specific comparative communications restrictions.

Map Location

How do I choose a lawyer?

Consider the following:

Comfort Level: - Are you comfortable telling the lawyer personal information? Does the lawyer seem interested in solving your problem?
Credentials: - How long has the lawyer been in practice? Has the lawyer worked on other cases similar to yours?
Cost: - How are the lawyer's fees structured - hourly or flat fee? Can the lawyer estimate the cost of your case?
City: - Is the lawyer's office conveniently located?

Not sure what questions to ask a lawyer?

Here are a few to get you started:

How long have you been in practice?
How many cases like mine have you handled?
How often do you settle cases out of court?
What are your fees and costs?
What are the next steps?

Want to check lawyer discipline?

It is always a good idea to research your lawyer prior to hiring. Every state has a disciplinary organization that monitors attorneys, their licenses, and consumer complaints. By researching lawyer discipline you can:

Ensure the attorney is currently licensed to practice in your state
Gain an understanding of his or her historical disciplinary record, if any.
Determine the seriousness of complaints/issues which could range from late bar fees to more serious issues requiring disciplinary action.