Cherrell Taplin
Cherrell is the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer and a trial lawyer who assists commercial clients, non-profit organizations, public entities, maritime companies, and major energy clients in all areas of litigation. She represents companies in matters related to construction disputes, contract and quasi-contracts, director and officer liability, tort liability, insurance coverage disputes, labor and employment matters, tax litigation, unfair trade practice/business torts, and unjust enrichment claims. She regularly handles construction matters for clients, including compliance with the Louisiana Public Works Act, Construction Management at Risk procurements, and public bids, zoning, and variances. She is also qualified as a mediator and arbitrator through the Mediations Arbitration Professional Systems, Inc. (“maps”) on its prestigious Panel of Neutrals.
Prior to joining the firm, Cherrell worked as a partner in private practice, served as Judge Pro Tempore in state court, and served as the Senior Chief Deputy City Attorney for the City of New Orleans. In 2011, she became the first Black woman partner at a major law firm in New Orleans. There, she represented insurance companies, businesses, and corporate clients in both federal and state courts throughout Louisiana. In 2013, Cherrell was appointed Senior Chief Deputy City Attorney for the City of New Orleans. Her role was as second-in-command to the City Attorney and included the position – Chief of Litigation. As Chief of Litigation for the City of New Orleans, Cherrell managed over 1000 cases that involved litigation in state, federal, and municipal and traffic courts. The matters that she handled were diverse and included: personal injury, contract, construction, land use, public bid, employment, code enforcement, public records, administrative appeals, and civil rights litigation. She also represented the City of New Orleans in several high-profile cases.
In April 2017, the Louisiana Supreme Court saw fit to appoint Cherrell to serve as Judge Pro Tempore in Division J of the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans. Cherrell served as a judge and presided over judge and jury trials, summary proceedings, and hundreds of motions.
Cherrell is an Adjunct Professor teaching Negotiation and Mediation at Tulane University Law School and she is a Skills Instructor for Negotiation and Mediation at Loyola University College of Law. She was recently named the New Orleans CityBusiness’ Women of the Year Class of 2020 and she was selected to join The National Black Lawyers’ Top 100. As the Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Cherrell is devoted to increasing diversity and inclusion at Liskow and in the legal profession. She is also the diversity relationship partner for one of the firm’s national oil and gas clients, and in this role, she identifies opportunities for the firm to partner with its clients on diversity and inclusion initiatives.
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