Mr. Pedersen’s extensive trial practice has led to multiple steering committee appointments in state and federal courts as lead trial and liaison counsel, as well as service as a special master and liquidator. Jonathan also represents lawyers and judges facing allegations of professional misconduct and applicants in bar admission proceedings. He has built a winning trial practice and has represented clients throughout Louisiana District Courts, Appellate Courts and the Louisiana Supreme Court. Jonathan maintains an active practice in the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western District of Louisiana and the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal.
As an owner of SMS Dispute Resolution, Jonathan has mediated over 2,000 cases, drawing on his multi-faceted experience in mass tort, toxic tort, aviation disasters, catastrophic injury, medical malpractice and professional ethics matters. He currently serves as a special master for the 24th JDC for all property damage cases related to Hurricane Ida, where he and his colleagues at SMS Dispute Resolution have closed over 4,000 cases with a 97% success rate. Jonathan prides himself on straightforward communication and his unvarnished style produces successful, realistic outcomes.
Outside of the courtroom, Jonathan serves as a Board Member of the Louisiana Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program, and he is the Co-Chair of the LSBA Committee on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. He served as an adjunct professor at the University of Holy Cross for five years where he taught Law, Ethics & Policy in Healthcare Administration at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Jonathan’s professional associations include the Academy of Court Appointed Neutrals (Fellow), LSBA, New Orleans Bar Association, Jefferson Bar Association, Louisiana Association for Justice and The National Trial Lawyers Top 100.
Jonathan graduated from Millsaps College in 2004 (B.S., Political Science) and earned his J.D. from Loyola New Orleans College of Law in 2007, where he was a member of the Spring National Moot Court Competition Team and was a Moot Court Teachers Assistant.
Mass Tort/Class Action Cases and Court Appointments:
• Special Master appointed by en banc vote of 24th Judicial District Court (Jefferson Parish, Louisiana) for all cases that relate to property damage caused by Hurricane Ida. Drafted Case Management Order, Disaster Discovery Protocols and Interim Protective Order that implements and oversees a Streamlined Settlement Program (“SSP”) to fairly and efficiently resolve 4,609 Hurricane Cases. This appointment is currently active.
• Anderson v. Bob Dean, Jr., et al, 24th Judicial District Court, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, docket no. 820-839 "H"; removal, USDC, EDLA, docket no. 2021-cv-01891, Plaintiffs Steering Committee Member.
Gist: Appointed as member of Plaintiffs Steering Committee to represent patients who were negligently evacuated from multiple nursing homes into an abandoned warehouse.
• Slocum v. International Paper Company, USDC EDLA No. 2:16-cv-12563, c/w 16- 12567,16-13793
Gist: Appointed as Co-Lead Trial Counsel, Co-Lead Liaison Counsel and member of Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee and in this class action involving a paper mill in Bogalusa, Louisiana discharging Black Liquor into the atmosphere that caused damages to real property, movable property, economic losses, personal injuries and nuisance.
• In Re: Lumber Liquidators Chinese-Manufactured Flooring Products Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation USDC Eastern District of Virginia
- (Alexandria) MDL No. 1:15-md-02627-AJT-TRJ
Gist: Multi-District Litigation involving environmental damages and personal injuries related to formaldehyde exposure from defective flooring. Co-Lead Counsel on behalf of multiple personal injury claimants.
• Sandra L. Dupuy, individually and all others similarly situated v. Fred A. Miller, D.C., et al., 22nd JDC (St. Tammany) No. 2017-14515, Div. “H”
Gist: Co-Lead Trial Counsel in putative class action involving violations of Louisiana Balanced Billing Act and Medical Lien Statute by defendant medical provider. Negotiated settlement of all claims for a confidential amount.
• Evans v. Temple Inland, Inc., USDC EDLA No. 2:11-cv-02067-LMA-ALC
Gist: Chemical discharge into Pearl River from Paper Mill in Bogalusa, Louisiana that caused damages to the environment (including extinction of two species of aquatic life), real property, movable property, economic losses and personal injuries. Organized, scheduled and took depositions on a “triple track;” weekly motion practice on discovery disputes, heavily involved in settlement negotiations resulting in class wide settlement in excess of $13,000,000 and completed settlement of claims for over 1,500 individual clients.
• Paternostro v. Choice Hotels International Services Corp. et al, USDC EDLA No. 2:13-cv-00662-EEF-MBN
Gist: Lead Trial Counsel in these consolidated cases arising from a Legionella outbreak at local hotel that caused severe personal injuries and wrongful death.
• Robinson v. Radiator Specialty Co., et al., Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans, Case No. 2015-9742, Div. “C-10”
Gist: Lead Trial Counsel in these consolidated cases arising from a Legionella outbreak at local hotel that caused severe personal injuries and wrongful death.
• Thigpen v. Florida Gas Transmission Co., USDC EDLA No. 14-1415 c/w 15-1749 CJB-SS
Gist: Co-Lead Trial Counsel in in putative class action that involved a natural gas pipeline explosion that caused property damages, loss of property values and personal injuries. Negotiated confidential settlements of all consolidated cases.
• Casso v. Huli Waters, LLC, et al., 24th JDC No. 777-158; Div. “O”
Gist: Appointed by the Court to serve as a Liquidator and amicably resolved the case without requiring dissolution of the corporation.
Recent Trials, Verdicts & Reported Decisions
• Endurance American Ins. Co. v. Cheyenne Partners, LLC, et al., USDC WDLA No. 6:20-cv-00571. Lead Trial Counsel. Won summary judgment finding that aviation exclusion in a CGL policy did not preclude $12,000,000 of coverage for passengers onboard a private plane that crashed in Lafayette, Louisiana. Proved that all elements of an exception to the aviation exclusion were met. Notably, this is the first reported case to have ever interpreted the language of the exception to the aviation exclusion.
• Slocum v. International Paper Company, USDC EDLA No. 2:16-cv-12563, c/w 16- 12567, 16-13793. Co-Lead Trial Counsel. Successfully proved that all class members may recover damages based under theories of negligence, nuisance and premises liability as a result of a discharge of Black Liquor from the International Paper Mill in Bogalusa, Louisiana.
• Riley v. Cantrell, et al., USDC EDLA No. 19-13950. Lead Trial Counsel. Defeated Mayor of New Orleans on summary judgement in claim against for detrimental reliance for plaintiff, a prospective at-will employee, that was not hired by the prospective employer. The unique facts and procedural posture presented a case of first impression in Louisiana.
• Mann v. Louisiana-I Gaming, et al., 24th JDC No. 778-509. Lead Trial Counsel (First trial in 24th JDC post COVID) Proved that Boomtown Casino violated all elements of La. R.S. 9:2800.6, Louisiana’s Merchant Liability Statute, and obtained Judgment awarding $660,247.900 in damages.
• Ritter v. Loraso, 2017-0517 (La. App. 4 Cir 12/22/17), 234 So. 3d 1096. Lead Trial and Appellate Counsel. Successfully appealed district court ruling that granted defendant’s peremptory exception of prescription. This is the first reported decision to articulate that prescription begins to run on a claim for intentional spoliation of evidence when the plaintiff actually suffers damages, which is when a final judgment is rendered in the underlying action, and not when the plaintiff learns of the destruction or loss of the evidence.
• Drury v. Colours N’ Motion, Inc., USDC EDLA No. 2:14-cv-1290; Sec. S(5). Lead Trial Counsel. Defective wheelchair collapsed and caused severe injuries to client who was previously disabled. Negotiated settlement of Plaintiff’s claims for $2,000,000.00 days before trial began.
• Shelton v. Pavon, 2017-0482 (La. 10/18/17); 236 So. 3d 1233. Lead Trial and Appellate Counsel. Conducted argument before the Louisiana Supreme Court. Decision resolved split in Louisiana Courts of Appeal regarding the application of Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure article 971, Special Motion to Strike.
• Hebert v. Bass, et al., 16th JDC, St. Mary Parish, Case No. 124157, Div. “F.” Lead Trial Counsel in this medical malpractice case which resulted in a jury verdict for $3,100,000.00 where physician’s failure to perform a proper physical examination and failure to continue treatment for high blood pressure caused Plaintiff to experience a hemorrhagic stroke.
• Sanchez v. Dubuc, et al., 12-526 (La.App. 5 Cir. 02/21/13). Lead Trial and Appellate Counsel. Successfully defended trial court’s determination that, based upon the testimony of a treating physician, an MRI was not needed to prove that plaintiff suffered a ruptured lumbar disc as a result of the accident at issue and confirmed that $50,000.00 is the lowest reasonable general damage award for a non-surgical herniated disc.
Professional Discipline Defense:
More than ten years of substantial experience representing lawyers, judges and physicians who have been investigated for, or charged with, violations of their respective cannons of ethical conduct. These cases are not identified to maintain client confidentiality.
Representation of Bar Applicants:
More than ten years of substantial experience representing and counseling individuals whose application for admission to the Louisiana State Bar was denied because the Committee on Bar Admissions did not certify the applicants’ character and fitness to practice law. These cases are not identified to maintain client confidentiality.
Teaching/Presentations:
Adjunct Professor, Law, Ethics & Policy in Healthcare Administration, Graduate and Undergraduate courses, University of Holy Cross, New Orleans, Louisiana 2017 - 2022.
Louisiana Bar Admissions Educational Program, Louisiana State Bar Association, 2009
Family Law: The Real World, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, 2006
In Re: Impaired Lawyer: A Primer on Jurisprudence in Lawyer Discipline Involving Substance Abuse, Multiple locations for Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board (2024 – Present)
Panel Member – Hearings for Readmission and Reinstatement, Hearing Committee Training for Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board Members (2025- Present)
LADB CLE Series - Hearings for Readmission and Reinstatement (2025 Statewide Presenter)
Licensure/Bar Admissions
All Louisiana State Courts
United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
United States District Court, Western District of Louisiana
United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal
Notary Public (I.D. No. 88818)(Commission is for Life)
Education:
Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, J.D. (2007)
Millsaps College, Jackson, Mississippi, B.A., Political Science (2000)
St. Paul’s School, Covington, Louisiana, Diploma (2000)
Professional Association Involvement
Louisiana Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program, Board Member (2021-Present)
LSBA Committee on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Co-Chair (2019-Present)
Academy of Court Appointed Neutrals, Fellow
Louisiana Association for Justice
National Trial Lawyers Top 100 (2022-Present)
New Orleans Bar Association
Jefferson Bar Association
Law School Distinctions
Spring National Moot Court Competition Team, Oralist (2006)
Finalist, Loyola Law School intramural Moot Court Competition (“Final Four”) Moot Court Teachers Assistant
Moot Court Teacher’s Assistant
Moot Court Staff Member
