Barrett Rice brings two decades of courtroom experience to her defense-litigation practice, specializing in maritime, offshore, oil & gas, transportation, and complex casualty matters. She represents vessel owners and operators, energy companies, contractors, insurers, and other stakeholders in high-stakes incidents across the Gulf Coast and beyond.

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Her background includes a Certificate in Maritime Law from Tulane University Law School in 2005, where she graduated Magna cum Laude, Order of the Coif and Order of the Barristers.  Barrett began her career at a major New Orleans defense firm, securing trial victories in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and internationally (including France, England and Norway). 

At Staines, Eppling & Kenney Barrett leverages her trial-tested skills in evidentiary strategy, maritime regulation (including the Jones Act and general maritime law), ship-salvage and towage liability, oil-field casualty defense, and complex transportation litigation. Because she has served on the plaintiff side, she understands the anatomy of liability claims from the inside—giving her clients a strategic advantage in managing risk, countering exposure, and resolving disputes efficiently.

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She is admitted in Louisiana state courts and the following federal courts: U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana and the Eastern and Southern Districts of Texas; the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.  Barrett holds memberships with the Maritime Law Association of the United States, the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute and the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association. She is also recognized as a Super Lawyer and listed in The Best Lawyers in America (Litigation-Insurance). 

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Barrett’s approach is grounded in collaboration with in-house counsel and insurers, aligning defense strategy with commercial objectives, preserving assets and reputation, and obtaining favorable outcomes while controlling cost and disruption. She is admitted to practice and regularly defends complex matters throughout Louisiana and the Gulf South region.

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Representative Matters

• Represented a major oil field supply company in a multi-million dollar contractual dispute involving allegations of conspiracy and fraud. This complex matter was tried and won in an arbitration before the ICC in Paris, a second arbitration pursuant to AAA rules in Houston, Texas and a state court case in Harris County, Texas. Multiple issues were resolved on motion practice in federal court for the Southern District of Texas and on appeal to the 5th Circuit. 

• Represented a yacht owner in a case where a passenger sued for personal injuries sustained after a significant fall from the tuna tower. This case was tried before a jury in the Eastern District of Louisiana and resulted in a zero verdict for the defendants. It was appealed to the 5th Circuit where the judgment was affirmed. 

• Represented a towboat owner in a barge explosion case in Alabama resulting in death and numerous personal injuries. This case involved complex contractual issues, multiple insurers and attorneys. 

• Represented a national metal recycler in claims of theft and fraud in the Southern District of Mississippi. This case was tried to a jury and received a zero verdict for the defendants. 

• Represented an offshore supply company in a case involving an individual claiming traumatic brain injury after an explosion. This case was dismissed on summary judgment in the Eastern District of Louisiana and appealed to the 5th Circuit where the ruling was affirmed. 

• Represented a towboat company in a collision on the Mississippi River involving a significant oil spill. This matter required knowledge of the Rules of the Road, navigation equipment and technology and the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. The case was tried to a judge in the Eastern District of Louisiana and resulted in a an allocation of fault favorable to the client. 

• Represented an international dredging company in a case involving a pipeline struck off the coast of Texas. The case involved the Army Corps of Engineers and complex permitting and contractual issues. It was tried to a judge in the Southern District of Texas and resulted in favorable allocation of fault for the client. 

• Represented a dock owner who sustained millions of dollars of property damage after their dock was struck by an oil tanker on the Mississippi River. The matter involved numerous vessels and required intimate knowledge of the Inland Navigation Rules as well as ship technology and equipment.  It was tried before a judge in the Eastern District of Louisiana and resulted in a favorable verdict for the client. 

• Represented a major oil company in a case involving a well that was struck by a tug and barge offshore resulting in an oil spill and significant economic damages from loss of production because the well provided the gas lift for an entire field.  The case required knowledge of AIS technology as well as the various regulations that govern offshore platforms and aids to navigation. It was tried in the Eastern District of Louisiana and the client received a multi-million dollar verdict. 

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Publications

• “Possible Issues and Solutions of the Personal Injury Claim”, Greater New Orleans Barge and Fleeting Association, April 2023

• “Maritime Mishaps – Three Common mistakes plaintiff attorneys make in maritime cases”, Louisiana Advocates, August 2022, Volume XXXVII, No.8

• “The Creeping Criminalization of Maritime Incidents”, Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute, June 2019

• “Subchapter M Update”, Jones Walker LLP Maritime Client Alert, June 16, 2016

• “The New Frontier: The Practical Implications and Future of General Maritime Law After the 5th Circuit Decision in McBride”, Submarine, The Newsletter of LIIBA’s Marine Claims Sub-Committee, February 6, 2014

• “Breach of Warranty and Misrepresentation—USA”, Tulane Law Review, June 1, 2013

• “Sub-Chapter M from a Defense Lawyer’s Perspective: How Your Liability and Litigation May Change in an Inspected World”, The Waterways Journal, April 26, 2012

Presentations

• “Possible Issues and Solutions of the Personal Injury Claim”, GNOBFA River and Marine Industry Seminar, April 26, 2023

• “Criminal Prosecutions and Defenses Relating to Maritime Operations and Activities”, Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute, New Orleans, Louisiana, June 29, 2019

• “Likely Legal Implications of SubChapter M”, Maritime Law Association, Committee on Inland Waters and Towing, October 27, 2016

• “Jones Act 101”, CENLA Lagniappe, Avoyelles Parish Bar Association Annual CLE, November 2016

• “Recent Developments in Maritime Law”, GNOBFA River and Marine Industry Seminar, April 27, 2016

• “Recent Developments in the Law—Its Effect on the Marine Industry”, GNOBFA River and Marine Industry Seminar, April 9, 2014

• “Breach of Warranty & Misrepresentation – United States perspective”, Tulane Admiralty Law Institute Seminar, March 13, 2013