Jon W. Wise graduated from Louisiana State University in 1983 (B.A. in History, 1979; J.D., 1983, Member, Louisiana Law Review 1981-1983). Following a one year clerkship for Justice Fred A. Blanche, Jr., at the Louisiana Supreme Court, he entered private practice. Since then, his practice has consisted primarily of litigation in the energy, maritime and insurance fields.

He has extensive experience in energy litigation, including well blowout and control, loss of hole, down hole issues, explosions, fires and property damage, lessee/operator disputes, drilling contract litigation, and reservoir damage and destruction. He has handled subrogation and defense litigation for underwriters, operators and drilling contractors, as well as coverage issues. His work has also included environmental litigation arising from surface pollution events and subsurface blowouts.

His practice has also included oil well lien litigation and litigation involving lease disputes. He has been involved in almost every aspect of maritime law including collision, personal injury defense, products liability, marine insurance, maritime liens, cargo, commercial litigation involving shipyards and vessel construction and oil pollution. He also has significant experience in commercial litigation, including cases involving breach of contract, deceptive trade practices and trade secrets, as well as construction litigation.

Mr. Wise also has an appellate practice, and has successfully argued cases in the United States Fifth Circuit, Louisiana Supreme Court and the Louisiana Courts of Appeal.

Apart from his litigation practice, Mr. Wise has a civil practice which includes wills, successions, adoptions and drafting contracts, including master service agreements. Mr. Wise is also a trained mediator and has served as both a mediator and an arbitrator in various civil matters. He has tried cases to judge and jury in state and federal courts throughout Louisiana.

Mr. Wise is a member of the Maritime Law Association of the United States, American Bar Association Section of Litigation, and Louisiana and Texas State Bar Associations. He is admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States as of 2010.

Publications

• “Indemnity Agreements Under the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act”, GardNews, Issue 170, May/July 2003