Contact Steve Lane

Steve Lane | Louisiana Personal Injury Lawyer

Steven J. Lane is Of Counsel to Herman, Herman & Katz, L.L.C. and was previously a partner at the firm and the managing partner from 2002-2016. Mr. Lane received his B.A. from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1977 and his J.D. from Loyola University School of Law in 1980. Mr. Lane has long been acknowledged as one of the premier divorce lawyers in the United States. He has also been extensively involved in class action litigation, business litigation and personal injury. Mr. Lane has successfully handled a broad range of cases including commercial cases, product liability cases, employment disputes, railroad cases, explosion cases and other complex disputes. Mr. Lane was legal counsel to the New Orleans City Council in civil litigation involving utility, zoning and other regulatory matters from 2006 – 2014. He now serves as a Special Master appointed by judges and attorneys to preside over family law cases.

EDUCATION

  • Loyola University School of Law, J.D. 1980
  • State University of New York at Buffalo, B.A. 1977

COURT ADMISSIONS

  • Louisiana; U.S.D.C. for the Eastern
  • Western and Middle Districts of Louisiana
  • U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
  • U.S. Supreme Court

PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC ACTIVITIES:

  • Louisiana State Bar Association
  • Louisiana Association for Justice, Family Law Section Chair
  • Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
  • American Bar Association
  • American Association for Justice, Family Law Section Chair
  • New Orleans Bar Association, Vice President and Chairman of the Membership and Family Law Committees
  • Pro Bono Project, Board of Directors
  • Justice For All Ball, Chairman, 2015
  • Louisiana Appleseed, Board of Directors

RECOGNITION

  • Best Lawyers in America (2005-present)
  • New Orleans Family Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers in America (2009, 2015, 2017, 2021)
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Rating
  • New Orleans CityBusiness Leadership in Law Award (2005-2008)
  • New Orleans CityBusiness Law Hall of Fame (2009)
  • Top 500 Leading Lawyers in America, Lawdragon Magazine (2009-2015)
  • “Lawdragon Legend” (2016)
  • Lawdragon 500 Leading Family Lawyers (2020)
  • Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers Hall of Fame (2021)
  • Top 100 Managing Partners, Lawdragon Magazine
  • Named in Louisiana Super Lawyers (2007-2022)
  • New Orleans Magazine, Top Family Law Lawyers (2012-2023)

SIGNIFICANT VERDICTS

  • Thompson, et al. vs. MetLife, USDC, SDNY, No. 00-CV-5071 (Co-lead counsel in class action settlement valued at $120,000,000)
  • Brodie v. Physicians Mutual Insurance Co., et al., USDC, WDTx, San Antonio Division, No. 94-CI-04251 (class action settlement of $46,700,000 for plaintiffs)
  • Forced-Placed Insurance Consolidated Cases: Holmes v. Trustmark National Bank, Wilks v. Sunstar Acceptance Corp., Hoskins v. Prudential Insurance Co. and Humphrey v. Hibernia National Bank (judgment of $39,803,643 for plaintiffs)
  • Bergeron v. State Boxing and Wrestling Comm., Civil District Court, Parish of Orleans, State of Louisiana, No. 97-22318 (judgment for plaintiff of $9,203,268.37, May 2001)
  • Andrews v. Trans Union Corp., No. 2004-2158 (La. App. 4 Cir 8/17/2005), 917 So. 2d 463, writ denied, 926 So. 2d 295 (La. 4/17/06), and MDL No. 1350, Louisiana Advocates, Vol XXIV, No. 5 (May 2009), p. 14 ($75 million settlement fund and significant additional in-kind relief)
  • Williams, et al v. United Insurance Company of America, Circuit Court of Jefferson County, AL, Civil Action No. 01-920 (Judgment of $27,000,000)
  • DeKeyser v. Automotive Cas. Ins. Co., 706 So.2d 676 (La.App. 4 Cir. 1998) (Judgment of $1,188,000 for plaintiff)
  • Degarmo v. Healthcare Recoveries, Inc., USDC, N. District of West Virginia at Wheeling, No. 5:94cv14 (class action settlement of $3,000,000 for plaintiffs)
  • Morris, et al v. Life Insurance Company of Georgia, 13th Judicial District at Memphis, Civil Action No. 00-4260-00 (Judgment of $55,000,000)

EXAMPLES OF PRESENTATIONS

  • “Why Tobacco II? What Changes Do Plaintiffs Want in the Use of Financial Incentives in the Managed Care Industry?,” Marsh Health Spectrum Forum on Managed Care Organization Enterprise Risk
  • “The Impact of Pegram v. Herdrich,” Association of Trial Lawyers of America; “Louisiana Custody Issues,” American Bar Association
  • “Discovery Techniques” and “Modification of Custody Decrees,” National Business Institute Seminar
  • “Family Law Custody Issues – Removal of Child from State” Lorman Educational Services Seminar
  • “Family Law in Louisiana,” The Cambridge Institute
  • “Initial Considerations,” Child Custody in Louisiana; “Louisiana Custody Law,” National Business Institute, Inc. Seminar
  • “Louisiana Domestic Relations,” American Bar Association Standing Committee for Military Personnel Continuing Legal Education Seminar
  • “Louisiana Tax Strategies in Divorce,” Louisiana Society of CPA’s
  • “Observations on Louisiana Family Law,” Tulane Peoples Law Seminar
  • “Observations on Louisiana Joint Custody,” Tulane Law School Seminar on Joint Custody
  • “Preparation and Trial of a Community Property Partition Case From Start to Finish – Managing the Complex Community Property Case,” Louisiana State Bar Association Seminar
  • “Recent Developments in Louisiana Family Law in the Areas of Spousal Support, Child Support, Custody and Community Property,” Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association Seminar
  • “To Work or Not to Work: The Wife’s Dilemma as Regards to her Right to Alimony Pendente Lite and Alimony,” Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association

REPORTED CASES

  • Bell v. Farmer’s Ins. Group, 635 So.2d 1305 (La.App. 4 Cir. 1994)
  • DeKeyser v. Automotive Cas. Ins. Co., 706 So.2d 676 (La.App. 4 Cir. 1998)
  • First Fed. S&L Assoc. of Warner Robins v. Delta Towers, Ltd., 544 So.2d 1331 (La.App. 4 Cir. 1989)
  • First Fed. S&L of Warner Robins v. Disiere, 542 So.2d 11 (La.App. 4 Cir.1989)
  • Fuge v. Uiterwyk, 542 So.2d 726 (La.App. 4 Cir. 1989)
  • Goldberg v. Goldberg, 698 So.2d 63 (La.App. 4 Cir. 1997)
  • Guillory v. State Farm Ins. Co., 662 So.2d 104 (La.App. 4 Cir. 1995)
  • Hendrick v. Avent, 891 F.2d 583(U.S.App. 5 Cir.1990)
  • Johnson v. Johnson, 452 So.2d 322 (La.App. 4 Cir. 1984)
  • Kaye v. Kaye, 529 So.2d 879 (La.App. 4 Cir.1988)
  • Lakeland Anesthesia, Inc. v. Aetna U.S. Healthcare, Inc., U.S.D.C., EDLa., No. 00-3181 (appointed interim co-lead counsel on behalf of putative class)
  • Lakeland Anesthesia, Inc. v. CIGNA Healthcare of Louisiana, Inc., U.S.D.C., EDLa., No. 00-1208 (appointed interim co-lead counsel on behalf of putative class)
  • Lakeland Anesthesia, Inc. v. SMA Health Plan, Inc. f/k/a Southeast Medical Alliance, LLC, U.S.D.C., EDLa., No. 00-1219 (appointed interim co-lead counsel on behalf of the class)
  • Lakeland Anesthesia, Inc. v. United HealthCare of Louisiana, Inc., U.S.D.C., EDLa., No. 00-1149 (appointed interim co-lead counsel on behalf of putative class)
  • Leyendecker v. Leyendecker, 549 So.2d 419 (La.App. 5 Cir. 1989)
  • Owens v. Owens, 489 So.2d 321 (La.App. 4 Cir. 1986)
  • Rozas v. Dept. of Health and Human Resources, 522 So.2d 1195 (La.App. 4 Cir.1988)
  • Schiavi v. Schiavi, 597 So.2d 144 (La.App. 5 Cir. 1992)
  • Scott v. Pontchartrain Materials Corp., 717 So.2d 682 (La.App. 4 Cir. 1998)
  • Sheets v. Yamaha Motors Corp., 849 F.2d 179 (U.S.App. 5 Cir. 1988)
  • Sheets v. Yamaha Motors Corp., 891 F.2d 533 (U.S.App. 5 Cir. 1990)
  • Smiley v. Smiley, 488 So.2d 1285 (La.App. 4 Cir. 1986)
  • State v. McDonald, 387 So.2d 1116 (La. 1980)
  • Tampira v. Sottiurari, 531 So.2d 1088 (La.App. 4 Cir.1988)
  • Williams v. City of New Orleans, 637 So.2d 1130 (La.App. 4 Cir. 1994)
  • Williams Engineering, Inc. v. Goodyear, 496 So.2d 1012 (La. 1986)
  • Williams Eng., Inc. v. Watermaze, 480 So.2d 772 (La.App. 5 Cir.1985)
  • Youngberg v. Youngberg, 499 So.2d 329 (La.App. 4 Cir.1986)
  • Johnson v. Johnson, 452 So.2d 322 (La.App. 4 Cir. 1984)
  • deMontluzin v. deMontluzin, 464 So.2d 948 (La.App. 4 Cir. 1985)
  • Nielsen v. Nielsen, 472 So.2d 133 (La.App. 5 Cir. 1985)
  • Sheets v. Yamaha Motors Corp., 11 Fed.R.Serv.3d 892 (La.App. 5 Cir. 1988)
  • First Fed. Savings and Loan of Warner Robins, Georgia, 542 So.2d 11 (La. App. 4 Cir. 1989)
  • Tampira v. Tampira, 539 So.2d 981 (La.App. 4 Cir. 1989)
  • City of New Orleans v. Dept. of Transportation, 745 F.Supp. 1195 (E.D. LA 1990)
  • Sciortino v. Sciortino, 773 So.2d 240 (La.App. 4 Cir. 2000)
  • Bowes v. Bowes, 798 So.2d 996 (La.App. 4 Cir. 2001)
  • Crawford v. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, 814 So.2d 574 (La.App. 4 Cir. 2001)
  • Bergeron v. State Boxing and Wrestling Comm., 829 So.2d 620 (La.App. 4 Cir. 2002)
  • Lowenburg v. Council of the City of New Orleans, 859 So.2d 804 (La. App. 4 Cir. 2004)
  • Musacchia v. Hilton New Orleans Corp., 876 So.2d 901 (La.App. 4 Cir. 2004)
  • Hunter v. Copeland, 2004 WL 2472487 (E.D. LA 2004)
  • Hummel v. State Farm, 2005 WL 32786 (E.D. LA 2005)
  • Tenorio v. Automotive Cas. Ins. Co., 893 So.2d 115 (La.App. 4 Cir. 2005)
  • World Trade Center Taxing Dist. v. All Taxpayers, Prop. Owners, and Citizens of WTC Taxing Dist., 894 So.2d 1185 (La.App. 4 Cir. 2005)
  • Lanza v. Lanza, 898 So.2d 280 (La.App. 4 Cir. 2005)
  • Barnhill v. Remington Oil and Gas Corp., 918 So.2d 52 (La.App. 4 Cir. 2005)
  • Andrews v. Trans Union Corp., 917 So.2d 463 (La.App. 4 Cir. 2005)
  • Council of City of New Orleans v. Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans, 936 So.2d 862 (La.App. 4 Cir. 2006)
  • Fireman’s Fund Ins. Co. v. Goodman, 2006 WL 3234288 (E.D. LA 2006)
  • Council of City of New Orleans v. Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans, 953 So.2d 798 (La. 2007)
  • Council of City of New Orleans v. Washington, 13 So.2d 662 (La.App. 4 Cir. 2009)
  • East New Orleans Neighborhood Advisory Comm. v. Levy Gardens Partners 2008, LLC, 20 So.3d 1131 (La.App. 4 Cir. 2009)
  • Orrill v. AIG, Inc., 38 So.3d 457 (La.App. 4 Cir. 2010).