Claire Easterling Pontier
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Practice Areas
Contact Information Phone: 504.565.3726 Email: cpontier@couhigpartners.com |
Claire is a partner at Couhig Partners, LLC, and has worked with the firm for fifteen years. Rob Couhig, the firm’s founder, always encourages Claire to develop her skills as a both a litigator and a business owner. Together with her law partners, Claire has participated in a variety of business ventures, from transportation logistics and technology to real estate development. Claire’s involvement in these enterprises has given her a unique perspective and skill set in business organization, planning, and disputes.
In addition to her work with existing and bourgeoning businesses, Claire has an established estate planning and succession practice. Claire’s father is a financial advisor in Alexandria, Louisiana. After years of working around his office, estate planning and succession work came easily to her. She enjoys getting to know each family, their history, and creating a plan for future generations. Claire also maintains a diverse book of commercial litigation cases. She has successfully litigated matters throughout the Gulf Coast and Colorado, including business disputes, employment contract disputes, land and real estate disputes, property damage claims, public and private construction project disputes, products liability claims, and general tort claims. Claire is a trained mediator, and believes ADR can be an efficient and inexpensive option for resolving disputes for clients and parties. Claire is a member of the Louisiana and Texas State Bar Associations, and she has been admitted pro hac vice to state and federal courts in Mississippi and Colorado. Claire’s professional achievements have earned praise from her peers, who have selected her as a Super Lawyers Rising Star for five consecutive years. She is also a member of DRI, and was appointed to the planning committee for the 2023 Business and Intellectual Property Super Conference. Claire earned her Juris Doctor with certificates in Civil Law and International Law from Loyola University College of Law. During law school, Claire externed for Judge Dee Drell of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. She was also actively involved in the Saint Thomas More Society and Loyola’s inaugural Mediation Clinic. Claire and her husband live in New Orleans with their two boys and dog, Indiana Jones. Her family is actively involved in their church and school. Claire is a board member and the incoming president of the parents’ association at her children’s school. Claire is also a member of the Krewe of Iris, New Orleans’s largest and longest-running female Mardi Gras krewe. Claire recently joined the board of Target Health Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to empowering those less fortunate and removing social barriers to quality healthcare for all. |