Overview
From Lugenbuhl’s New Orleans office, Rodger Wheaton focuses on maritime and oil field transactions and litigation related to businesses active in the Gulf of Mexico, which includes insurance coverage, marine finance and vessel documentation, litigation, corporate and commercial law and international transactions. Rodger’s international practice is facilitated by his working knowledge of Spanish, having spent a year studying in Barcelona, Spain and a year studying in Mexico City.
Outside the Office
In his spare time, you can often find Rodger riding his bike long distances around New Orleans or playing league tennis at City Park.
Transaction Experience
- Drafting commercial agreements, including vessel charters, distributor agreements, and shipyard construction contracts
- Asset sale of towing company: approximately $35 million
- Corporate reorganization engine distributor: annual sales $35 million
- Buy out of membership interest inclusive of towing company: $11 million
- Purchase of foreign flag DP2 vessel for refitting and flag in Mexico: $26 million
- Buy out of one-half interest in Panamanian vessel reflagged in Mexico
- Multiple purchases of U.S. flagged-vessels for export and reflagging in Mexico
- Draft and review of Master Service Agreements for allocation of risks and indemnities
Litigation Experience
- Commercial litigation
- Defense of trustee in litigation by beneficiaries over control, administration of closely held entity
- Defense of reality show producers for claims of assault and battery by contestant
- Defense of cargo interest for claims of death and personal injury arising out of mid-Atlantic explosion of vessel
- Prosecution of claims against U.S. Government for improper marking of wrecks.
- Defense of claims by U.S. Trustee in bankruptcy
- Defense of owner in sinking of vessels, loss of life and denial of insurance coverage
- Defense and prosecution of claims for maritime insurance coverage
- Defense and prosecution of insurance agent for errors and omissions
- Investigation of insurance claims, marine and general liability
- Defense of wrongful death claim alleged to have been caused by mold exposure
- Defense and prosecution of property-damage claims
- Defense of maritime personal injury claims
- Defense and prosecution of engine claims
- Defense of yacht manufacturer in fire related insurance coverage claims: $20 million
- Defense and prosecution of vessel seizures
- Prosecution of oil well and public works liens
- Defense of small boat operator striking swimmer
Professional
- Louisiana State Bar Association
- New York State Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- New Orleans Bar Association
- Inter American Bar Association
- Maritime Law Association of the United States
- Best Lawyers (2018-2023)
- Super Lawyers (2012-2024)
- Martindale Hubbell: AV Preeminent Rating
