Our Firm Profile
Gauthier, Houghtaling & Williams continues the tradition of outstanding legal representation established by the late Wendell Gauthier in the early 70's. For the past thirty years, the Gauthier firm has been one of the most influential and most respected law firms in the South. Wendell Gauthier was ranked as one of the "Nations Top 10 Litigation Lawyers" by the National Law Journal and one of the "100 Most Influential Lawyers in America" by the National Law Journal in 1985, 1990 and 1995. The Gauthier firm rose to national prominence as leader of the 100 law firm coalition that negotiated the $350 billion settlement with the Tobacco Industry.
Since 2003, the Firm has collected over $80 million for business and individual clients. Currently the Firm represents business clients whose interests in negotiated contracts total over one quarter of a billion dollars.
In March of 2005, in an article entitled "Legendary Law Firm Ruled by New Lawyer", City Business Magazine featured Mr. Houghtaling on their front cover when he overtook the leadership of the Gauthier firm following Wendell Gauthier's passing. In 2005, 2006, and 2007, Mr. Houghtaling was ranked as one of the "Top 50 Lawyers in New Orleans" by City Business Magazine, one of only four lawyers recognized so consecutively.
In the wake of the hurricane, the Firm has been retained by a variety of Katrina Victims, from owners of Class A high rise buildings, to "mom and pop" businesses. To date, the Firm has collected over 47.3 million dollars in property damage and business interruption claims. At present, the firm has lawsuits pending in state and federal court to preserve another 30 million dollars in property disputes.
Gauthier, Houghtaling & Williams is the continuation of the law firm originally founded by legendary victim's rights lawyer Wendell Gauthier. For the past 30 years, the Gauthier firm has been one of the most influential and most respected law firms in the Gulf South. The Gauthier firm rose to national prominence as the head of the 100 law firm coalition that negotiated the 350 Billion dollar settlement with the Tobacco Industry.
Throughout its rich history, the firm's lawyers have received some of the highest professional honors including being ranked as one of the "Nations Top 10 Litigation Lawyers" by the National Law Journal; one of the "100 Most Influential Lawyers in America" by the National Law Journal in 1985, 1990 and 1995; being ranked as one of the "Top 50 Lawyers in New Orleans" by City Business Magazine in 2005, 2006, and 2007 (one of only four attorneys in the history of the award to receive the award consecutively); and being certified as one of "The Top Trial Lawyers in America" by the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
