Charles F. Gay Jr.
Charlie Gay, Jr. joined Adams and Reese in 1983 and is a Partner with more than 35 years of experience in general litigation, toxic tort, product liability and medical malpractice. He currently serves as a member of the firm’s Pharmaceuticals and Products Liability team of the Litigation Practice Group. He also works extensively with the Healthcare Litigation Group.
In the last several years, Charlie has tried more than 15 major toxic tort, products liability and medical malpractice cases involving serious personal injury (e.g., quadriplegia, brain damage) to successful defense verdicts before juries in Louisiana. He is experienced in partnering with clients to achieve cost-effective, quality solutions to problems through the efficient use of resources, employment of technology, early case assessment and case management.
Charlie is a member of the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers, The International Society of Barristers, and many other bar groups, including the Louisiana State Bar Association and Louisiana Bar Foundation.
Charlie has served as lead counsel on hundreds of trials beginning with his practice at Martzell and Montero as a personal injury lawyer from 1976-1983 when he moved his practice to Adams and Reese, where he has continued to handle major trials for many clients.
Charlie has been the lead medical malpractice trial counsel for the Ochsner Medical Institutions for over 30 years and trial counsel for many publicly and privately held companies during his career.
Charlie's representative cases include:
- Serving as lead counsel for Exxon Mobil in a mass joinder fraud claim for exposure to radioactive materials. The previous trial that involved same facts and issues handled by different outside counsel found fraud and awarded $1 billion in punitive damages. A two-month jury trial held January-March 2010 involved 19 plaintiffs and resulted in a $1.2 million verdict in compensatory damages and no punitive damages. (Warren Lester, et al vs. Exxon Mobil Corporation, et al; 24th Judicial District Court for the Parish of Jefferson; Civil Action No.: 630-402; Division G)
- Serving as lead counsel for Philip Morris in class action brought by cigarette smokers alleging fraud, deceptive practices, etc., and seeking damages of $15 billion for medical monitoring. The court then inserted a claim for smoking cessation which is currently on appeal. Jury trial was held in phases over three years (2001-2004) and plaintiffs’ claims for medical monitoring were defeated. (Gloria Scott, et al vs. The American Tobacco Company, Inc., et al; Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans; Civil Action No.: 96-8461 (Class Action Claim); Ad Hoc Division)
- Serving as counsel for Litton Loan Services in class action and mass joinder suits arising out of alleged fraud in collection activities. Client dismissed. (Mary & Larry Patterson, et al vs. Dean Morris, et al; United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana; Civil Action No.: 05-2177/05-2189/05-2191; Section “K”, Magistrate 4)
- Representing Michael J. Jackson in alleged abuse case. High profile and publicity issues were involved. Summary Judgment granted in favor of Mr. Jackson. (Joseph Thomas Bartucci, Jr. vs. Michael J. Jackson; United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana; Civil Action No.: 04-2977; Section “L”, Magistrate 5)
- Serving as lead regional counsel for Merrell Dow Pharmaceutical in litigation of the drug Bendectin, for Dow Corning Corporation in the litigation of breast implants, and many other pharmaceutical and medical device cases.
Charlie is a former chair of the IADC Pharmaceutical, Medical Device Committee, as well as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and International Society of Barristers. He has served as Chair of the Louisiana State Bar Legal Malpractice insurance committee. He has also served on the Medical Legal Interprofessional Committee as co-Chair. Charlie has been a frequent lecturer in the areas of trial practice and personal injury litigation.
Charlie is married to Mary Christine “Chrissy” Lapeyre, and they have four sons and two grandchildren.
- Super Lawyers, Corporate Counsel Edition® - Personal Injury Defense: Products
- Louisiana Super Lawyers® - Personal Injury Defense: Products
- Personal Injury Litigation, Product Liability Litigation
- Leadership in Law, New Orleans CityBusiness, 2013
- AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
New Orleans, Louisiana 70139