Jeanette Riggins is a trial attorney with a wealth of experience. She currently serves on the National Trial Team for multiple clients and regularly appears in state and federal courts in various states. Beyond this work, Jeanette is also a member of the national coordinating counsel teams for several of the firm’s clients, managing and supervising local counsel in the defense of companies. Jeanette has received Martindale Hubbell’s prestigious AV Preeminent Rating and was also recognized as one of the 2020–2023 Best Lawyers in America. Her practice primarily focuses on products liability, general liability, toxic tort, construction litigation, insurance defense and premises liability claims. Jeanette has defended an extensive array of clients including product manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, employers, premise defendants, executive officers and insurance companies. In the context of products liability, she has defended a diverse group of clients, including manufacturers and/or suppliers of friction products, gaskets, packing, pumps, joint compound, asbestos containing pipe, explosion proof fittings, UPS, elevators, escalators, circuit breakers, arc chutes and cosmetic talcum powder products. Jeanette has also defended against environmental litigation claims, including claims related to benzene exposure, as well as environmental contamination from dry cleaning operations.
Jeanette earned her JD from Tulane University School of Law in 2000. While in law school, she was a member of the Tulane Moot Court Board and winner of the 2000 Phelps Dunbar Senior Trial Competition. Upon graduation, she served as a law clerk to the Honorable J. Sterling Snowdy, Madeline Jasmine and Mary Becnel of the 40th Judicial District Court, State of Louisiana.
Jeanette is admitted to practice law in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, as well as before the US District Courts for all Districts of Louisiana, the Southern District of Texas, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
In addition to being a member of the bar associations for all states in which she is admitted to practice, Jeanette is a member of the Houston Bar Association, the Houston Lawyers Association, the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Association and the Defense Research Institute. She is also a member of the distinguished Trial Advocacy faculty at Louisiana State University.
Trial Experience
Over the past decade, Jeanette has served as lead trial counsel for a number of clients, including contractors, suppliers and manufacturers in asbestos lawsuits across the country.