Richard J. Arsenault

Neblett, Beard & Arsenault - Alexandria
Neblett, Beard & Arsenault - Alexandria
2220 Bonaventure Court, Alexandria, LA 71301 United States

“One of Americas’s 50 Most Influential Trial Lawyers” – Lawyer Magazine 


Richard Arsenault has been recognized as one of America’s 50 Most Influential Trial Lawyers by Trial Lawyer Magazine. He has participated in over 25 multidistrict litigation proceedings and currently serves as Co-Lead Counsel in the Actos MDL where a jury rendered a historic $9 billion dollar punitive damage verdict which has been reported as one of the nation’s largest personal injury verdicts. He subsequently served on the Actos MDL team that negotiated a $2.4 billion dollar settlement which is the largest single mass tort settlement for a drug that is still on the market. In the Pinnacle MDL pending in Dallas federal court where Richard serves on the Executive Committee, he was part of the Trial Team that secured a $502 million dollar jury verdict against Johnson & Johnson and DePuy, after an 11 week trial. Richard was nominated for the 2015 Trial Lawyer of the Year Award by the Public Justice Foundation and also selected as a 2015 member of the Nation’s Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. The National Trial Lawyers recognized Richard as the 2014 Trial Lawyer of the Year Civil Plaintiff Finalist.


The New York Times has referred to Arsenault as a “big player” in the legal community. The Wall Street Journal has described him as having “national notoriety” and as a “big gun” among attorneys in competition for national leadership roles. Business Week has referred to him as “a Dean of the Louisiana tort bar”, USA Today featured him as a member of the “Legal Elite” and the New Orleans Times Picayune has referred to him as “an authority on class actions.”


Richard has over 300 articles and presentations to his credit and has authored many Law Review articles including one published in Federal Courts Law Review. Among other writings, he co-authored the chapter on Multidistrict Litigation in an ABA treatise. Richard was also asked by Judge Heyburn, JPML Chair, to participate in the Panel’s “Multidistrict Litigation Study Project”. He has personally participated in negotiating over $3.5 billion in complex litigation settlements in the last five years.


For over 25 years, Richard has had Martindale Hubbell’s highest rating. Through a multi-phase selection process, the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys has chosen Richard to receive the organization’s Top 10 Attorney Award for the State of Louisiana. He likewise is recognized by many other peer-reviewed publications including the “Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers,” “Best of United States,” “SuperLawyers” and the “Best Lawyers in America.”


Legal Excellence & Professionalism

Richard’s commitment to legal excellence is reflected in years of serving as a faculty member for LSU’s Trial Advocacy Program, lecturing at Judicial Colleges, publishing law review articles, and assuming leadership roles in both local and national Bar Associations. Through an appointment by the President of the Louisiana Bar Association, Arsenault joined the Professional Assessment Committee composed of a distinguished panel including Federal and State Court Judges along with members of the Bar. He also coordinates an annual tort law presentation by several United States District Judges and the former Dean of the University of Tennessee College of Law, Thomas C. Galligan, Jr. Recently, Richard was appointed by the Louisiana Supreme Court to serve on the Rules of Professional Conduct Class Action Committee. He is also the Founding Board Director of the National Board of Complex Litigation Lawyers, a division of the National Board of Trial Advocacy.


Nationwide Networking

Richard has chaired national complex litigation programs with speakers that have included former President Bill Clinton, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Eliot Spitzer, Harvard Professor Alan Dershowitz, Morris Dees, Arianna Huffington, Al Franken, Bob Woodward, Al Sharpton and Paul Begala. He has chaired dozens of symposiums with guests ranging from Ken Starr to Jan Schlichtman (lawyer portrayed by John Travolta in “A Civil Action”). Richard has organized numerous counsel meetings and conferences, comprising hundreds of law firms in venues across the country. These have been designed to facilitate consensus for leadership roles, consider organizational structures and promote coordinated litigation efforts. Richard recently co-chaired the national HarrisMartin Toyota Recall Litigation Conference, which attracted over 100 plaintiff and defense attorneys seeking to learn more about the unique circumstances of the Toyota litigation. The conference agenda featured some of the nation’s preeminent attorneys, many with decades of experience handling large, complex national cases. The event, which was held in San Diego was profiled by the Associated Press, the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg News, National Public Radio, CBS Radio, CBC Montreal and other national and international news organizations. Consequently, he understands and functions well in the national complex litigation landscape.


Credentials

One of America’s Most Influential Trial Lawyers

Nominated for the 2015 Trial Lawyer of the Year Award

Member of the Nation’s Top One Percent

AV Preeminent Martindale Hubbell’s Highest Rating

Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers

Best of United States

2014 Trial Lawyer of the Year Civil Plaintiff Finalist

Best Lawyers in America


Professionalism

President of the Alexandria Bar Association;

President of the American Inns of Court’s Crossroads Chapter. (U.S. District Judge F.A. Little and Arsenault worked together to create the Alexandria Chapter)

Chair of American Trial Lawyers Association Admiralty Section;

Chair of both the Louisiana Bar Association’s Annual Admiralty Symposium and Annual Class Action Symposium since their inception;

Speaker and guest lecturer at a variety of symposiums, including those sponsored by Tulane Law School, LSU Law School, the Louisiana Judicial College and the U.S. Fifth Circuit Judicial Conference;

Editor of the Louisiana Bar Journal’s Recent Developments for the Section on Insurance, Negligence, Workers’ Compensation and Admiralty;

Tulane Law School’s Continuing Legal Education Committee;

Chair of the Louisiana Bar Association’s Section on Insurance, Negligence, Workers’ Compensation and Admiralty.


Case Results

Pinnacle Hip Implant Verdict

Verdict Against Eli Lilly and Takeda

Settlement For Genetically Modified Rice

Pinnacle Hip Verdict Against Johnson & Johnson DePuy


Recognition & Engagements

Guest Lecturer at Tulane Law School

Richard was a Guest Lecturer at Tulane Law School in New Orleans, Louisiana on April 12, 2018. He lectured in connection with a course called “Cause Lawyering,” which is an exploration of how lawyers in different fields use the law to effect change or promote justice.


Nominated for the 2015 Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Public Justice Foundation

The Public Justice Foundation is a non-profit charitable membership organization that stands against corporations that cheat consumers to gain profits. Their awards are highly respected in the legal industry. This past year Richard was a nominee for the award.


2015 Member of the Nation’s Top One Percent

The National Association of Distinguished Counsel is an organization dedicated to promoting the highest standards of legal excellence. Richard was selected as a 2015 member of the Nation’s Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. The organization focuses deeply on elevating the standards of the Bar and it does so by recognizing lawyers who compliment their mission.


2014 Trial Lawyer of the Year Finalist

Richard J. Arsenault was recognized by the National Trial Lawyers as the 2014 Trial Lawyer of the Year civil plaintiff finalist. The National Trial Lawyers is a professional organization composed of premier trial lawyers from each state in the nation who meet stringent qualifications.


Top Ten Attorney Award

Through a multi-phase selection process, the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys has chosen Richard Arsenault to receive the organization’s Top 10 Attorney Award for the State of Louisiana.


Richard J. Arsenault invited to the Inaugural Executive Committee of Class Action Trial Lawyers

Class Action Trial Lawyers, an association of the National Trial Lawyers, have invited Richard Arsenault to be an inaugural member of their Executive Committee.

National Trial Lawyers is an invitation-only trial lawyer organization consisting of premier plaintiffs’ trial lawyers.


Richard Arsenault Joins Faculty at LSU Law

Neblett, Beard & Arsenault senior partner, Richard J. Arsenault, has been invited to join the faculty at LSU’s Law School.

Arsenault will join the distinguished faculty at Louisiana State University’s Paul M. Herbert Law Center in the Fall 2011 semester, and will teach Advanced Litigation.

Richard, an alumnus of LSU Law, has been a long-time instructor at the annual LSU Law Trial Advocacy program, an intensive three-day trial skills summit.


Best Law Firms in America

We’re proud to announce that accident and injury law firm of Neblett, Beard & Arsenault was selected for inclusion in the Best Law Firms in America legal directory.


Super Lawyers

Richard Arsenault Named in 2011 Super Lawyers

Neblett, Beard & Arsenault’s Richard J. Arsenault has been selected for inclusion in 2011 Super Lawyers by Law & Politics, Inc. and Louisiana Life Magazine.

Only five percent of lawyers in Louisiana receive this distinction. Richard has been included in Super Lawyers each year since 2007.


Richard J. Arsenault Honored with “AV” Rating

Martindale-Hubbell has recognized Richard J. Arsenault’s professional ethics and legal ability by awarding him an “AV” rating for 2011, the highest rating an individual attorney can receive. Mr. Arsenault, founding partner of Neblett, Beard & Arsenault, has earned an AV rating each year for over 10 years.


Richard J. Arsenault Included in 2011 Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers

Richard J. Arsenault, founding partner of Neblett, Beard & Arsenault, has been selected for inclusion in the 2011 Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. For over 90 years, the Bar Register has been considered the definitive guide to the most distinguished law firms in the United States. The directory only includes lawyers who have earned a prestigious “AV Rating” from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating available for professional ethics and legal ability. Only a small percentage of lawyers across the country receive this distinction.


Best-Lawyers in America

Richard J. Arsenault Selected for Inclusion in Best Lawyers in America

Attorney Richard J. Arsenault has been selected for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America directory each year since 1993. Best Lawyers, now associated with U.S. News and World Report, is one of America’s oldest and most respected legal directories. It’s compiled using data from peer-review surveys completed by members of the legal field.


Richard J. Arsenault named Regional Coordinator for SOLACE Program

Attorney Richard J. Arsenault, of Alexandria’s Neblett, Beard & Arsenault has been asked to serve as the Alexandria Coordinator for the Support of Lawyers/Legal Personnel – All Concern Encouraged (SOLACE) program for the Louisiana State Bar Association.


Cenla Focus 2010

Cenla Focus Magazine Names Neblett, Beard & Arsenault “Best of Cenla”

Cenla Focus Magazine has selected Neblett, Beard & Arsenault for inclusion in the 2010 Best of Cenla Reader’s Choice Awards.

Neblett, Beard & Arsenault’s television advertisement was selected as “Best Local TV Commercial” by readers across Central Louisiana

Thank you to everyone that voted and keep watching!


Richard J. Arsenault Named to ATLA’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers

Richard J. Arsenault, founding partner of Neblett, Beard & Arsenault has been selected as 2009-2010 Top 100 Trial Lawyers of Louisiana by the American Trial Lawyers Association (ATLA).

The American Trial Lawyers Association is a national organization of America’s top trial attorneys. Membership is by invitation and extended only to those individuals who exemplify superior qualifications, trial results, and leadership. Candidates are vetted through a rigorous evaluation process which includes independent research of the attorney’s qualifications. Only 100 attorneys from each state are offered membership into ATLA.


Richard Arsenault Named 2010 Super Lawyers

Neblett, Beard & Arsenault is pleased to announce that two of their attorneys, Richard J. Arsenault has been selected for inclusion as 2010 Super Lawyers by Law & Politics Inc. and Louisiana Life magazine.

Louisiana Super Lawyers are designated through a rigorous, multi-step evaluation process that incorporates peer recognition and professional achievement. Only five percent of lawyers in Louisiana receive this prestigious acknowledgment.


Richard Arsenault Named to Strathmore’s Who’s Who

Attorney Richard J. Arsenault, founding partner in Neblett, Beard & Arsenault, was recently selected for inclusion in the prestigious 2010 edition of Strathmore’s Who’s Who.


Richard J. Arsenault Serves as Faculty for LSU Law Center’s Trial Advocacy Program

Attorney Richard J. Arsenault, a founding partner of Neblett, Beard & Arsenault, has been invited to serve as a faculty member for the August 2009 LSU Law Center’s Trial Advocacy Program taking place in Baton Rouge. Nearly 200 senior law students participate in the intensive and unique, three-day program. They role play and receive critiques from some of the nation’s leading experts in courtroom practices. Arsenault serves as part of this select faculty, comprised of federal and state court judges, professors and prominent attorneys. He’s been a part of the program since its inception over 15 years ago.


Super Lawyers

2009 Louisiana Super Lawyers

“Based on a state-wide nomination process and evaluation of his peers, Attorneys Richard J. Arsenault and was selected for inclusion on the 2009 Louisiana Super Lawyers® list. Only five percent of the Louisiana attorneys are chosen each year.” 


2008 Tulane Law Review Symposium

Richard J. Arsenault is invited to participate in the Tulane Law Review symposium on multidistrict litigation, to be held February 15th and 16th, 2008, in New Orleans, LA, at Tulane Law School. This will surely be an engaging discussion.


Award for being among the best lawyers in America

Best Lawyers The World’s Premier Guide

Specialty Maritime Law

Steven Naifeh, Editor in Chief

Richard J. Arsenault is one of a distinguished group of attorneys that has been listed in Best Lawyers for ten years or longer, and Richard J. Arsenault has been selected by his peers for inclusion in the 25th anniversary edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the specialty of Maritime Law. For a quarter of a century, Best Lawyers has been regarded—by both the profession and the public—as the definitive guide to legal excellence in the United States.


Sky Radio in Louisiana 

America’s Premier Lawyers Featured on the Fortune Magazine Radio Channel & in Fortune Magazine

Richard J. Arsenault has been invited to be a guest on a very new and prestigious show America’s Premier Lawyers featured on both American Airlines & Northwest Airlines with a “Tune-In” support page in Fortune Magazine


Shaking Hands

The Best of the U. S. Inc.

The Best of the U. S. Inc. selected Richard J. Arsenault of Neblett, Beard & Arsenault, as one of the “Best of Class” in his profession. They have recognized the best in the fields of medicine, law, accounting, financial planning, physical therapy, chiropractic, veterinary, mortgage brokers, and real estate. Each of their selected professionals is listed on their website www.bestofus.com, a total of over 70,000 listings representing the top two percent in each profession.


BEST OF THE U. S. 2008

Best Lawyers in America 2008 Edition

13th Ed.

Steven Naifeh, Editor in Chief

Best Lawyers in America is pleased to inform Richard Arsenault that he has been selected by his peers to be included in the 2008 edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the specialty of Maritime Law. Arsenault is one of a distinguished group of attorneys who have been listed in Best Lawyers for ten years or longer.


Continental Who’s Who Registry

Continental Who’s Who is an organization that recognizes men and women who have achieved success in their respective fields.


Louisiana Super Lawyers® 2008

Louisiana Super Lawyers® magazine recognizes, Richard J. Arsenault among the states Super Lawyers®.


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