Jonathan C. Pedersen
Profile
Mr. Pedersen is a partner at Howard, Reed, Pedersen & Doré. A
well-respected trial lawyer in the mass tort, personal injury and
medical malpractice arenas, Jonathan also represents lawyers and
judges facing allegations of professional misconduct and applicants in
bar admission proceedings. He has built a winning trial practice and
has represented clients throughout Louisiana District Courts,
Appellate Courts and the Louisiana Supreme Court. Jonathan also
maintains an active practice in the U.S. District Courts for the
Eastern and Western District of Louisiana and the U.S. Fifth Circuit
Court of Appeal.
Jonathan also serves as a Special Master for the 24th Judicial
District Court (Jefferson Parish, Louisiana) for all property damage
cases related to Hurricane Ida. In this role, Jonathan has managed
over 1,700 cases and he has personally mediator over 500 cases.
Outside of the courtroom, Jonathan currently serves as a Board Member
of the Louisiana Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program and he is the
Co-Chair of the LSBA Committee on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Jonathan is
also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Holy Cross where he
teaches Law, Ethics & Policy in Healthcare Administration.
Jonathan graduated from Millsaps College in 2004 (B.S., Political
Science) and earned his J.D. from Loyola New Orleans College of Law in
2007, where he was a member of the Spring National Moot Court
Competition Team and was a Moot Court Teachers Assistant.
Jonathan is a member of many professional associations including the
Louisiana State Bar Association, Academy of Court Appointed Neutrals
(Fellow), Louisiana Association for Justice, New Orleans Bar
Association, Jefferson Bar Association and National Trial Lawyers Top
100.
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Special Master appointed by en banc vote of 24th Judicial District
Court (Jefferson Parish, Louisiana) for all cases that relate to
property damage caused by Hurricane Ida. Drafted Case Management
Order, Disaster Discovery Protocols and Interim Protective Order
that implements and oversees a Streamlined Settlement Program
(“SSP”) to fairly and efficiently resolve the Hurricane Cases. This
appointment is currently active.
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Anderson v. Dean, 24th JDC No. 820-839 (Jefferson Parish)
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Slocum v. International Paper Company, USDC EDLA No. 2:16-cv-12563,
c/w 16-12567,16-13793
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In Re: Lumber Liquidators Chinese-Manufactured Flooring Products
Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation USDC
Eastern District of Virginia - (Alexandria) MDL No.
1:15-md-02627-AJT-TRJ
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Sandra L. Dupuy, individually and all others similarly situated v.
Fred A. Miller, D.C., et al., 22nd JDC (St. Tammany) No. 2017-14515,
Div. “H”
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Evans v. Temple Inland, Inc., USDC EDLA No. 2:11-cv-02067-LMA-ALC
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Paternostro v. Choice Hotels International Services Corp. et al,
USDC EDLA No. 2:13-cv-00662-EEF-MBN
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Robinson v. Radiator Specialty Co., et al., Civil District Court for
the Parish of Orleans, Case No. 2015-9742, Div. “C-10”
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Thigpen v. Florida Gas Transmission Co., USDC EDLA No. 14-1415 c/w
15-1749 CJB-SS.
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Casso v. Huli Waters, LLC, et al., 24th JDC No. 777-158; Div. “O”
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Endurance American Ins. Co. v. Cheyenne Partners, LLC, et al., USDC
WDLA No. 6:20-cv-00571. Lead Trial Counsel. Won summary judgment
finding that aviation exclusion in a CGL policy did not preclude
$12,000,000 of coverage for passengers onboard a private plane that
crashed in Lafayette, Louisiana. Proved that all elements of an
exception to the aviation exclusion were met. Notably, this is the
first reported case to have ever interpreted the language of the
exception to the aviation exclusion.
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Slocum v. International Paper Company, USDC EDLA No. 2:16-cv-12563,
c/w 16-12567, 16-13793. Co-Lead Trial Counsel. Successfully proved
that all class members may recover damages based under theories of
negligence, nuisance and premises liability as a result of a
discharge of Black Liquor from the International Paper Mill in
Bogalusa, Louisiana.
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Riley v. Cantrell, et al., USDC EDLA No. 19-13950. Lead Trial
Counsel. Defeated summary judgement on claim for detrimental
reliance for plaintiff, a prospective at-will employee, that was not
hired by the prospective employer. The unique facts and procedural
posture presented a case of first impression in Louisiana.
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Mann v. Louisiana-I Gaming, et al., 24th JDC, Case No. 778-509. Lead
Trial Counsel. Proved that Boomtown Casino violated all elements of
La. R.S. 9:2800.6, Louisiana's Merchant Liability Statute, and
obtained Judgment awarding $660,247.900 in damages.
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Ritter v. Loraso, 2017-0517 (La. App. 4 Cir 12/22/17), 234 So. 3d
1096. Lead Trial and Appellate Counsel. Successfully appealed lower
court ruling that granted defendant's peremptory exception of
prescription. This is the first reported decision to articulate that
prescription begins to run on a claim for intentional spoliation of
evidence when the plaintiff actually suffers damages, which is when
a final judgment is rendered in the underlying action, and not when
the plaintiff learns of the destruction or loss of the evidence.
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Drury v. Colours N' Motion, Inc., USDC EDLA No. 2:14-cv-1290;
Sec. S(5). Lead Trial Counsel. Defective wheelchair collapsed and
caused severe injuries to client who was previously disabled.
Negotiated settlement of Plaintiff's claims for $2,000,000.00
days before trial began.
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Shelton v. Pavon, 2017-0482 (La. 10/18/17); 236 So. 3d 1233. Lead
Trial and Appellate Counsel. Conducted argument before the Louisiana
Supreme Court. Decision resolved split in Louisiana Courts of Appeal
regarding the application of Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure
article 971, Special Motion to Strike.
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Hebert v. Bass, et al., 16th JDC, St. Mary Parish, Case No. 124157,
Div. “F.” Lead Trial Counsel in this medical malpractice case which
resulted in a jury verdict for $3.1 Million where physician's
failure to perform a proper physical examination and failure to
continue treatment for high blood pressure caused Plaintiff to
experience a hemorrhagic stroke.
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Sanchez v. Dubuc, et al., 12-526 (La.App. 5 Cir. 02/21/13). Lead
Trial and Appellate Counsel. Successfully defended trial court's
determination that, based upon the testimony of a treating
physician, an MRI was not needed to prove that plaintiff suffered a
ruptured lumbar disc as a result of the accident at issue and
confirmed that $50,000.00 is the lowest reasonable general damage
award for a non-surgical herniated disc.
Education
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2004 – 2007 Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, J.D.
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2000 – 2004 Millsaps College, Jackson, Mississippi, B.A., Political
Science
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1997 – 2000 St. Paul's School, Covington, Louisiana, Diploma