February 18, 2020
On January 29, 2020, the Louisiana Supreme Court held that the Grand Palais Riverboat is not a vessel in navigation for purposes of general maritime law and admiralty jurisdiction. This ruling makes the Jones Act inapplicable to the riverboat’s employees and agrees with the Firm’s amicus curiae brief on behalf of the Louisiana Casino Association, Inc. The Court’s opinion provides vital guidance to Louisiana’s 15 licensed riverboat casinos that employ more than 13,500 people.