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Frequently Asked Questions

The Honorable Stanwood R. Duval, Jr.
500 Poydras Street, Room C-368
New Orleans, LA 70130
 
  • How are the cases designated?

    After a case has been determined to be subject to the umbrella, the liaison counsel designate which category to which that case pertains. There are six possible categories at this time: Levee, MRGO, Insurance, Responder, St. Rita and Dredging Limitation. The liaison counsel designates the type of case each consolidated matter concerns and documents are electronically docketed with that reference in each e-mail as well as the particular case number. Orders are entered pertaining to a particular case or cases, a particular group, or all cases.

  • I am in only one case, but am getting notice on everything in the levee case. I only want what pertains to me. I am getting too much e-mail.

    Unfortunately the computer can not determine what case pertains to you and which cases do not. The e-mail you get from the Court specifies the category with the case number to which the document pertains at the beginning of the docket text for you to determine if that document pertains to your case or cases. If it is not in a case in which you are enrolled, there is no need for you to read it. If you are Lead Counsel, you must get notice. If you have other attorneys at your firm receiving notice, the docket clerk can remove them from notice if requested.

  • I have a question that I cannot answer. I understand I am not to contact the Judge's Chambers directly. What can I do?

    You may first try and ascertain the answer to your question by contacting liaison counsel whose names and numbers can be found in the "Contacts" section of this website. If you still have problems, you may fax your question to Carol Godbold in the Judge's Chambers at 504.589.2393. You should only do this as a last resort. Counsel are advised that failure to abide by this order may result in sanctions--this includes any call from an attorney or any staff person of that counsel's office.

  • I know that my case should be under the umbrella, but to date it has not been consolidated. What can I do?

    The Clerk's Office is doing its best to keep up with the unprecedented volume of filings. If there is an emergency or a special need that requires the consolidation, fax the information to Carol Godbold at 504.589.2393 and she will see if she can be of assistance.

  • What should the caption look like?

    The following is an example of a heading for a pleading to be filed in the Berthelot case.

     

    UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
    EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
     

    IN RE KATRINA CANAL BREACHES                                                                                     CIVIL ACTION
    CONSOLIDATED LITIGATION
                                                                                                                                                           NO. 05-4182

    PERTAINS TO:                                                                                                                         SECTION "K"(2)

    Berthelot C.A. No. 05-4182

    After "Pertains to" you should designate the plaintiff's last name and the case number involved. If it pertains to all cases in a category, then state the category, or if it pertains to all of the cases in the umbrella, state "all cases."

    DO NOT STATE "ALL CASES" TO INDICATE ALL THE CASES IN WHICH YOU ARE INVOLVED. THAT IS AN INCORRECT DESIGNATION AND COULD RESULT IN ERRORS. BE SPECIFIC WITH RESPECT TO THE "PERTAINS TO" DESIGNATION.

     

  • I need to order a transcript?

    If you require a transcript of any proceeding held in open court, please dial (504) 589-7725, giving docket number and date of proceeding for transcript requested.