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Coleman D. Ridley Jr.

Of Counsel

Coleman Ridley Jr. is a member of the Firm's Commercial Litigation Group and is located in our New Orleans office.

Professional Biography


Mr. Ridley is a seasoned, experienced litigator and governmental relations and public policy professional. He has more than 20 years of experience serving as counsel to clients in various industries. Mr. Ridley has represented national corporations and local/regional companies in tax litigation, as well as general business litigation, including antitrust, construction, products liability, telecommunications, and intellectual property.

Mr. Ridley has honed his ability to resolve disputes and has a long history of finding innovative solutions to complex problems. In addition to his litigation experience, he served as managing director of a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy research and advocacy organization dedicated to improving economic conditions, living standards, and the quality of life for all residents of the Greater New Orleans region. In this role, Mr. Ridley collaborated with government, civic, and other business organizations and lobbyists to address issues vital to the region and help advance the organization's robust policy agenda.

  • Negotiated a favorable settlement in a unique copyright infringement case against a Grammy Award-winning artist.

  • Represented a national retail franchise regarding local tax liability issues.

  • Successfully defended a financial advisor in a federal lawsuit against claims of breach of contract, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty.

  • Represented a factoring company against claims of tortuous interference of contract, breach of non-compete agreement, and unfair trade practices.

  • Handled a case determining constitutionality of taxing tower fees levied against telecommunications companies.

  • Represented national telecommunications companies in actions to recover erroneously assessed taxes pertaining to transfer of cellular phones and sales of telecommunications services.

  • Counseled municipality in drafting/negotiating operating and franchise agreements for electric service.

  • Successfully represented a hospitality group in seeking a conditional use permit to operate a cocktail lounge in New Orleans' historic Warehouse District.

  • Obtained summary judgment in favor of a commercial real estate holding and development company in a dispute involving claims of unfair and/or deceptive trade practices and civil conspiracy.

  • Extensive experience recovering state and local taxes paid under protest.

  • Member – American Bar Association
  • Member – Louisiana State Bar Association
  • Member – New Orleans Bar Association
  • Member – Greater New Orleans, Inc.
    • Public Policy Committee
    • SoLA Super Region Committee
  • Member – Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Legal Society
  • Member – Audubon Commission
  • Member – Louisiana Leadership, Class of 2016
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for Commercial Litigation (2025)
  • Listed in Louisiana Super Lawyers in Business Litigation (2013)
  • Member – New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute, Class of 2013
  • Commissioner – City of New Orleans Civil Service Commission (2012 – 2013)
  • Board Member – Southeast Louisiana Legal Services Corporation (2007 – 2012)
  • Board Member – Akili Academy of New Orleans (2008 – 2012)
  • Vice Chair, Board of Directors – Crescent City Schools (2012 – 2013)

Education

  • Tulane Law School, J.D., 1998, cum laude
  • College of William and Mary, B.A., 1995

Admissions

  • Louisiana, 1998
  • U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Louisiana, 1999

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