Bruce D. Burglass, Jr.
Bruce is a founding member and manages Burglass Tankersley Gaudin Phayer. He practices extensively in the areas of insurance defense, commercial litigation, construction and class action litigation. Furthermore, Mr. Burglass has experience in admiralty and maritime, products liability and medical malpractice litigation. His appointment to the Surplus Lines Advisory Council of the Louisiana Department of Insurance by Louisiana’s Commissioner highlights his experience and knowledge regarding insurance matters.
Education
Tulane University Law School, New Orleans, Louisiana
Juris Doctor – 1984
Loyola University, New Orleans, Louisiana
Bachelor of Science – 1980
Bar Admissions
- Louisiana, 1984
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Louisiana
- U.S. District Court Western District of Louisiana
- U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
Honors & Certifications
- AV® peer review rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Appointed Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Louisiana hundreds of times over the past 30 years to represent the state in civil matters
- Recognized as a Proctor in Admiralty and Maritime Law by the Maritime Law Association of the United States
- Surplus Lines Advisory Council – Appointee of Insurance Commissioner
Professional Associations
- Louisiana Surplus Lines Association, Member
- Claims & Litigation Management Alliance, Member
Notable Representations
Hurricane Katrina
Co-lead Counsel for all Katrina related flooding lawsuits and class actions against local Parish. Successfully obtained dismissal of all of the Federal Court Cases, with no money being paid by our clients.
Disaster Preparation Plan Challenge Defeated
Defended local Parish and the Parish President at the time in multiple consolidated class actions brought by homeowners who flooded during Hurricane Katrina; defendants were alleged to have been guilty of negligence and willful misconduct on a number of grounds, including the drafting of an emergency operations plan calling for the evacuation of drainage pump operators in the face of a catastrophic hurricane (Cat 4 or 5). After a three and a half week jury trial, the jury rendered a verdict in favor of all defendants on all claims.
The Flood of 1995
Co-lead Counsel for local Parish in a class action lawsuit alleging Parish-caused flooding during the May 1995 floods which damaged 14,000 residential and commercial structures. The Firm negotiated a settlement which resulted in the dismissal of all of the claims against the Parish with no payment of any money in return for a commitment to pursue a list of drainage improvement projects.
Successful Defensive Effort in the Paint Forces Settlement
Co-lead counsel for floor damage to the New Orleans Hornets Practice Facility and the remediation and the redesign and reconstruction of the HVAC system were made against the lead design professional who, in turn, made claims against its subconsultants. After several mediations, the matter settled without litigation in less than 8 months after this Firm’s involvement and without any disruption of the Hornets’ practice needs. The design professionals contributed more than a million dollars to the overall settlement.
Cleaning and Restoration Costs
Co-lead counsel in a complex Public Works Act claim asserted by a Fortune 500 Company and others related to emergency cleaning and restoration services performed at dozens of local Parish’s buildings damaged during Hurricane Katrina. Furthermore, the Firm assisted the Parish with its claims and appeals against FEMA which had denied the majority of the Parish’s claim for the remediation work performed to restore its many buildings.
Class Certification Denied
Successfully obtained denial of class certification in the Tropical Storm Isidore Class Action Litigation against local Parish and won summary judgment dismissal of a second Isidore case on a discretionary function basis.