Bio
Celeste Coco-Ewing is a seasoned litigator who has defended several large manufacturers in multi-week trials in state and federal courts across the country. Her practice focuses on complex litigation with a particular emphasis on product liability and environment and toxic tort cases. She has represented clients across various industries, including medical devices, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, insurance, and consumer products. Her trial work has contributed to eight defense verdicts in jury trials in federal multidistrict litigation and state court consolidated proceedings.
Celeste has been recognized by Chambers USA as a top commercial litigator, by Best Lawyers as the Lawyer of the Year for Mass Tort Litigation/Class Action Louisiana, by Law360 as a Legal Lion, by New Orleans Magazine as a Top Lawyer, and by Benchmark Litigation as a Litigation Star and a Top 250 Women in Litigation.
Celeste serves on the Executive Committee of the Committee on Bar Admissions and as Director of the Character and Fitness Panel, by appointment of the Louisiana Supreme Court. She is an adjunct professor of Evidence and of Depositions at Tulane Law School.
Experience
Trial counsel for medical device manufacturer for first trial in consolidated Illinois state-court proceeding in Cook, County; defense verdict following five-week jury trial. Selected as trial counsel for related Multidistrict Litigation in Toledo, Ohio.
Trial team for pharmaceutical manufacturer in two Multidistrict Litigation trials, each of which was tried to a jury and resulted in a defense verdict. Trials in federal court in New Orleans and Jackson, Mississippi. Responsible for work-up of numerous MDL cases for trial before global settlement was reached.
Trial team in first bellwether trial in medical device Multidistrict Litigation in U.S. Northern District of Texas following eight-week jury trial.
Successful defense of consortium of welding manufacturers in multi-district litigation and state court proceedings resulting in complete defense verdicts in five jury trials, including a multi-plaintiff jury trial in Civil District Court for Orleans Parish, New Orleans and three jury trials in the U.S. Northern District of Ohio.
Trial counsel for medical device manufacturer in two multi-plaintiff trials – (1) 4-plaintiff trial and (2) 6-plaintiff trial - on a recalled-medical device in Cook County, Illinois.
Defense of excess insurer in bad faith litigation on multi-million-dollar policy arising out of BP litigation in the U.S. Eastern District of Louisiana.
Defense of foreign mutual insurer of energy assets in litigation over a salt dome fracture.
Defense of international insurer on COVID-related claims in cases around the nation.
Honors & Affiliations
Honors & Recognitions
Chambers and Partners, U.S.A. - "Top Commercial Litigator" (5 years ranked)
Benchmark Litigation - "Litigation Star" (2020, 2023)
Benchmark Litigation - "Top 250 Women in Litigation" (2020)
Best Lawyers - "Lawyer of the Year - Atlanta, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Action Georgia" (2023)
Best Lawyers - "Lawyer of the Year - New Orleans, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Action Louisiana" (2021)
Best Lawyers - "Best Lawyers in America" (recognized since 2015)
Law360 - "Legal Lion" (2017)
New Orleans CityBusiness - "Women of the Year" honoree (2016)
Louisiana Appleseed - "Good Apple" award for pro bono work (2012)
Civic Affiliations
- Louisiana Chapter of the International Women’s Forum, Board of Directors
- KidsmART, Past Board President
- Louisiana Appleseed, Past Board President
Professional Affiliations
- Committee on Bar Admissions, Louisiana, Executive Committee, and Director of the Character and Fitness Panel
- Adjunct Professor, Tulane University School of Law
- New Orleans Federal Bar Association, Past Executive Committee Member
- Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow
- International Association of Defense Counsel
- American Bar Association
- Louisiana State Bar Association
- New Orleans Federal Bar Association
News
Practice Areas
Admissions
- Louisiana State Courts
- United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- United States District Court Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Louisiana
Education
J.D., Tulane University School of Law, summa cum laude
B.S., Tulane University
Clerkships
- Hon. James L. Dennis, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit