Christopher R. Handy

Chris enjoys a diverse practice representing clients in railroad casualty, Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA), class action, toxic tort, and medical malpractice defense litigation. Advocating for clients at both the trial court and appellate level in state and federal court, Chris has handled matters from start to resolution including successful motion practice and mediation. Drawing on his unique and extensive experience in the federal court system, Chris has successfully navigated federal court litigation for clients ranging from Class I rail carriers to healthcare providers.

Prior to joining the firm, Chris served as law clerk to the Hon. Michael Juneau of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana in Lafayette. There, he worked on a variety of matters related to federal law, federal procedure, and Louisiana state law. Subsequently, Chris served at the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans as law clerk to the Hon. Eugene Davis. There, he gained experience on complex and often novel matters of federal law, federal procedure, and legal matters of national importance. Chris has written several articles and given lectures at LSU, Loyola, and Tulane’s law schools on issues intersecting federal and state law. A graduate of Louisiana State University’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Chris served on the board of the Louisiana Law Review as Senior Editor.

Outside of his practice, Chris serves as President of the Northshore Off-Road Bicycling Association (NORBA), a non-profit organization dedicated to building, maintaining, and stewarding the mountain bike trail system at Louisiana’s Bogue Chitto State Park. An avid runner and cyclist, Chris enjoys spending time in the outdoors when not in the office.

Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center:

-Order of the Coif

-Senior Editor, Louisiana Law Review

-Vinson & Elkins Award – Best overall law review student comment

-Henri Capitant Award – Best civil or comparative law comment

-Lee Hargrave Award – Outstanding service to the Louisiana Law Review

Louisiana State University

-College Honors

-LSU Discover Scholar Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research

Louisiana State Law Institute

-Junior Member

Publications

“Overruling Louisiana: Horizontal Stare Decisis and the Concept of Precedent” 82 Louisiana Law Review (forthcoming).

“A Civil Law State in a Common Law Nation, a Civil Law Nation with a Common Law Touch: Judicial Review and Precedent in Louisiana and Argentina” 95 Tulane Law Review 445 (2021).

“No Act of God Necessary: Expanding Beyond Louisiana’s Force Majeure Doctrine to Imprévision” 79 Louisiana Law Review 241 (2019).

“Filling the Lacuna with Water: HB 391 and Louisiana’s Problem with Public Access to Water” New Orleans Bar Association Property Law Committee Article (2018).