Mr. Pedersen is a partner at Howard, Reed, Pedersen & Doré. A well-respected trial lawyer in the mass tort, personal injury and medical malpractice arenas, 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 also 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.
Jonathan also serves as a Special Master for the 24th Judicial District Court (Jefferson Parish, Louisiana) for all property damage cases related to Hurricane Ida. In this role, Jonathan has managed over 1,700 cases and he has personally mediator over 500 cases.
Outside of the courtroom, Jonathan currently 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. Jonathan is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Holy Cross where he teaches Law, Ethics & Policy in Healthcare Administration.
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.
Jonathan is a member of many professional associations including the Louisiana State Bar Association, Academy of Court Appointed Neutrals (Fellow), Louisiana Association for Justice, New Orleans Bar Association, Jefferson Bar Association and National Trial Lawyers Top 100.
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 the Hurricane Cases. This appointment is currently active.
• Anderson v. Dean, 24th JDC No. 820-839 (Jefferson Parish)
• Slocum v. International Paper Company, USDC EDLA No. 2:16-cv-12563, c/w 16-12567,16-13793
• 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
• 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”
• Evans v. Temple Inland, Inc., USDC EDLA No. 2:11-cv-02067-LMA-ALC
• Paternostro v. Choice Hotels International Services Corp. et al, USDC EDLA No. 2:13-cv-00662-EEF-MBN
• Robinson v. Radiator Specialty Co., et al., Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans, Case No. 2015-9742, Div. “C-10”
• Thigpen v. Florida Gas Transmission Co., USDC EDLA No. 14-1415 c/w 15-1749 CJB-SS.
• Casso v. Huli Waters, LLC, et al., 24th JDC No. 777-158; Div. “O”
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 summary judgement on claim 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, Case No. 778-509. Lead Trial Counsel. 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 lower 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 $3.1 Million 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.
Education:
2004 – 2007 Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, J.D.
2000 – 2004 Millsaps College, Jackson, Mississippi, B.A., Political Science
1997 – 2000 St. Paul’s School, Covington, Louisiana, Diploma
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 Staff Member
