Steven M. Mauterer

Attorney Brief

Steven M. “Steve” Mauterer is a partner in Blue Williams’ Metairie office with more than 25 years of experience representing sheriffs, law-enforcement officers, municipalities, state agencies, assessors, businesses, insurers, fiduciaries, and individuals.

A significant part of Steve’s practice is devoted to defending governmental entities and public officials. He serves as counsel to Louisiana sheriffs and has served as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Louisiana. His experience includes constitutional and civil-rights claims, law-enforcement liability, public-records disputes, tax-assessment appeals, ethics matters, and other governmental litigation.

Steve also handles commercial disputes, class actions, construction matters, insurance litigation, estate planning and successions, and selected family-law matters in Louisiana state and federal trial and appellate courts.

Education

· Southern University Law Center, J.D., 1999

• Teaching Assistant, Criminal Law

· University of South Alabama, B.A., Political Science, 1996

Narrative

Governmental and law-enforcement litigation presents challenges that extend beyond the allegations in a complaint. A case may involve constitutional standards, immunity, public policy, attorney-fee exposure, media attention, and the effect a decision could have on future agency operations.

Steve helps public entities and officials navigate those overlapping concerns. He represents sheriffs, deputies, municipalities, state agencies, elected officials, and other governmental clients in claims brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and related state law. His work includes allegations involving searches, seizures, arrests, due process, agency policies, supervisory liability, and other constitutional issues.

Steve has obtained dismissals of federal civil-rights claims against law-enforcement clients. In one publicly reported matter, he secured dismissal with prejudice of a Fourth Amendment claim arising from deputies’ entry into a residence to execute a valid arrest warrant. Blue Williams case report. In another, he obtained dismissal of constitutional claims against a sheriff and deputy arising from a contractor’s investigation and arrest. Blue Williams case report

Steve also represents parish assessors in litigation and appeals before the Louisiana Tax Commission. This work combines administrative procedure, statutory interpretation, valuation issues, public-finance concerns, and appellate advocacy.

His broader practice includes commercial and construction disputes, insurance claims involving alleged bad faith, class actions, estate planning and successions, and family law. He has served as general counsel to a real-estate appraisal company, advising on contracts, operations, risk, and disputes.

Steve’s experience includes both the defense and prosecution of complex claims. He was appointed class counsel in Oubre v. Louisiana Citizens Fair Plan, a reported Louisiana appellate matter arising from post-hurricane insurance claims. Oubre opinion. He also represented a plaintiff class in litigation involving Jefferson Parish’s former automated traffic-enforcement system.

Awards

• National Institute of Trial Advocacy-
• Advocate, Institute of Politics-Fellow Actively involved with the legal affairs committee for the National Sheriff’s Association.
• Member of the National Eagle Scout Association
• Served on local and national training committees for the Boy Scouts of America

Bar, Courts & Professional Affiliations

· Louisiana, 2000

· Texas, 2014

· All Louisiana state trial and appellate courts

· U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana

· U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana

· U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana

 

Professional and Community Affiliations

• Louisiana State Bar Association
• State Bar of Texas
• National Sheriffs’ Association, Legal Affairs Committee
• National Eagle Scout Association
• Boy Scouts of America, former local and national training committee service

 

Representative Work

· Obtained dismissal with prejudice of a Fourth Amendment claim against a Louisiana sheriff arising from deputies’ entry into a residence while executing a valid arrest warrant.

· Obtained dismissal of federal constitutional claims against a sheriff and deputy arising from the investigation and arrest of a contractor.

· Appointed class counsel in Oubre v. Louisiana Citizens Fair Plan, 8 So. 3d 99 (La. App. 5 Cir. 2009).

· Represented a plaintiff class in litigation involving Jefferson Parish’s automated traffic-enforcement program.

· Represents parish assessors in litigation and administrative appeals before the Louisiana Tax Commission.

· Serves as defense counsel to Louisiana sheriffs and law-enforcement agencies.

· Has served as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Louisiana.

· Serves as general counsel to a real-estate appraisal company.

 

Presentations

• Steve has presented on:
• Defense of claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983
• Defense of attorney-fee claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1988
• The Louisiana Public Records Act
• Litigation avoidance for Louisiana home inspectors