$50,000 Raised for Barrier Islands

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A fundraising dinner organized by attorney John Houghtaling and others raised $50,000 for the Barrier Islands Restoration & Development Society (B.I.R.D.S.) and the Bocuse d'Or USA Foundation, a culinary non-profit. The funds were raised as part of a dinner held September 14, 2010 at Chef Scott Boswell's Restaurant Stella! featuring world renowned Chefs Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud and Jerome Bocuse. $50,000 was raised for the B.I.R.D.S. organization and also the Bocuse d'Or USA Foundation, for a total $100,000 donation as a result of the event.

Chefs Support Barrier Islands

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Chefs Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, Jerome Bocuse and Scott Boswell talked about the importance of Louisiana's barrier islands, the breeding ground for Louisiana seafood. The chefs are preparing a dinner to benefit the Barrier Islands Restoration & Development Society (B.I.R.D.S.) and the Bocuse d'Or USA Foundation. Bocuse d'Or supports the education and development of culinary professionals. It is the first meal the distinguished chefs will cook together.

August 20, 2010 BIRDS Fundraiser Interview

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World-Famous Chefs To Hold New Orleans Fundraising Dinner for Barrier Islands, Culinary Education

BP Approves Test of Ocean Therapy Device - WDSU

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On May 18, 20101, British Petroleum gave the go ahead to Ocean Therapy Solutions to test its oil separation device in the oily waters of the Gulf of Mexico, in the wake of the Horizon disaster.

BP Approves Test of Ocean Therapy Device - WGNO

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On May 18, 20101, British Petroleum gave the go ahead to Ocean Therapy Solutions to test its oil separation device in the oily waters of the Gulf of Mexico, in the wake of the Horizon disaster.

BP Approves Test of Ocean Therapy Device - WVUE

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On May 18, 20101, British Petroleum gave the go ahead to Ocean Therapy Solutions to test its oil separation device in the oily waters of the Gulf of Mexico, in the wake of the Horizon disaster.

John Houghtaling partners with Kevin Costner to fight oil spill

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Kevin Costner and John Houghtaling back technology to clean oil spill

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Actor Kevin Costner partners with John Houghtaling to clean oil spill

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John Houghtaling Comments on 5th Circuit Insurance Ruling

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Attorney John Houghtaling discusses the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling striking down a flood exclusion denying coverage for widespread Katrina flooding. Although the federal appeals court found that the flood exclusions in the plaintiffs' policies unambiguously preclude their recovery, Houghtaling cautioned that the same issue is still pending before the Louisiana Supreme Court. A state court's ruling on Louisiana state court carries much precedent, said Houghtaling.

John Houghtaling Comments on 5th Circuit Insurance Ruling

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Attorney John Houghtaling discusses the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling striking down a flood exclusion denying coverage for widespread Katrina flooding.

John Houghtaling Katrina Insurance Litigation

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August 21, 2006 interview - New Orleans attorney John Houghtaling discusses Katrina insurance litigation.

John Houghtaling discusses Katrina Lawsuit Deadline

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NEW ORLEANS — Louisiana homeowners planning to sue their insurance company after Hurricane Katrina should do so by Tuesday or they will not be able to pull insurance agents or contractors into the lawsuit, New Orleans attorneys say. Not including agents and contractors in lawsuits can hurt a policyholder's case because most insurance companies try to shift blame to agents and contractors, the attorneys said. "That is the defense that the insurance companies are bringing to the table," said John Houghtaling, a New Orleans attorney. "That is going to be a very, very rude awaking for the people that wait past the 29th." Also, attorneys said policyholders will likely lose the option to try their case in their own parish if they wait beyond Katrina's anniversary to file suit. Cases filed after Tuesday will likely be tried in federal court or East Baton Rouge Parish. "You will lose your right to file in your parish," Houghtaling said. Earlier this month, Jim Donelon, state insurance commissioner, said 99.8 percent of homeowners insurance companies doing business in Louisiana agreed to extend the period where policyholders can sue companies for hurricane-related claims. One year was not enough time for policyholders and insurance companies to work out claims post-Katrina, Donelon said. The extensions do not apply to insurance agents and contractors. "You should file a lawsuit by Aug. 29 to ensure you preserve your rights against your insurance company and your adjuster. If their agent did perform some negligence in brokering their insurance policy and that negligence is pointed out later on by the insurance company then you would have lost your opportunity (to sue the agent)," said New Orleans attorney Rico Alvendia. Houghtaling said he has collected more than $20 million in insurance claims for Katrina victims, including Ninth Ward homeowners and Central Business District office building owners. In nearly all cases, insurance companies allege negligence by the insurance agent regarding policy exclusions or blame contractors for inflating prices, he said. If a jury decides the agent or contractor has fault, the policyholder will not be able to include those parties in the case if the lawsuit is not filed before Tuesday, he said. "For the majority of people, their net worth is tied up in their house. People are gambling their net worth by waiting after the 29th," he said. If a lawsuit is filed against an insurance company by Tuesday, it can be amended to include agents and contractors if needed, he said. "It is a preservation of your rights," he said.

John Houghtaling on Katrina Insurance Filing Deadlines

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August 21, 2006 - New Orleans attorney John Houghtaling discusses deadlines to file suit against insurance companies for Katrina-related claims.

John Houghtaling on Katrina Insurance Filing Deadlines

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August, 2006

John Houghtaling on Katrina Lawsuit Filing Deadlines

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August 21, 2006 - New Orleans attorney John Houghtaling discusses whether property owners should file suit within one year or two against insurers for Katrina-related property damage.

John Houghtaling on Katrina Legal Claims

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August 2006 - New Orleans attorney John Houghtaling discusses deadlines to file claims against insurance companies for Katrina-related property damage.

Louisiana High Court Upholds Flood Exclusion

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John Houghtaling was widely quoted in the media regarding the Louisiana Supreme Court's ruling that a common homeowners flood exclusion does in fact exclude damage caused by a levee break. "The ruling has multi-billion dollar implications," Houghtaling told local and national media. The law firm of Gauthier, Houghtaling and Williams represents homeowners and argued on behalf of the state Attorney General's office when the case was before the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal.