Ashley E. Philen Receives Recognition as One of the Top Attorneys in the Nation

    NEW IBERIA, LA, August 14, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Simien & Simien, LLC Of Counsel Ashley Philen has been recognized for showing dedication, leadership and excellence in environmental and personal injury law.

With unparalleled expertise in her field, Ms. Philen lends almost a decade of industry experience to her role with Simien & Simien, which provides legal services in the areas of personal injury, maritime injury lawsuits, car accidents, mass tort cases, environmental land contamination, medical malpractice, defective products, workers' compensation, and wrongful death. During the course of her daily routine, she litigates in the areas of tort liability, class actions, civil practice, environmental law, and federal litigation.

Ms. Philen was nominated and named as one of Louisiana's "Top 40 Under 40" Attorneys by The National Trial Lawyers, beginning in 2013. The Top 40 Under 40 is a professional organization composed of the top trial lawyers from each state who are younger than the age of 40. Membership is by invitation only and is extended exclusively to those trial lawyers practicing civil plaintiff and/or criminal defense law. Invitees must exemplify superior qualifications, trial results, and leadership as a young lawyer under the age of 40.

Ms. Philen received her B.S. degree in 2001 from Louisiana State University and her J.D. degree from Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, where she made Law Review and graduated magna cum laude. Ms. Philen was also elected Marshal, and later elected Justice (President) of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International Tureaud Chapter - a position that she held in high regard. The purpose and goals of this organization encourage us all to serve the greater good.

The purpose of this Fraternity shall be to form a strong bond uniting students and teachers of the law with members of the Bench and Bar in a fraternal fellowship designed to advance the ideals of liberty and equal justice under law; to stimulate excellence in scholarship; to inspire the virtues of compassion and courage; to foster integrity and professional competence; to promote the welfare of its members; and to encourage their moral, intellectual, and cultural advancement; so that each member may enjoy a lifetime of honorable professional and public service.

(Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International's Declaration of Purpose)

While in law school, Ms. Philen studied abroad at London City University taking courses in International Public Law and International Criminal Law.

Ms. Philen became a practicing member of the Louisiana Bar in 2007, and began working on the historic lawsuit Robinson v. United States. This was the lawsuit filed in federal court Eastern District of Louisiana brought by the citizens of New Orleans against the United States Army Corps of Engineers for damages caused by the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet during Hurricane Katrina. And, in 2009, she started her own law practice, focusing on environmental law and advocating for Louisiana, its citizens and its environment.

Through a joint venture with Simien & Simien, LLC in 2010, Ms. Philen became Of Counsel with a firm in Lake Charles where she continued to represent landowners in state and federal court, whose property had been damaged by oil, gas and pipeline companies' operations.

In 2012, she became part of another historic lawsuit: Southern Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East v. Tennessee Gas Pipeline et. al. The lawsuit was filed in the Eastern District of Louisiana and alleges that more than ninety defendants compromised the integrity of Louisiana's coastal lands, whose activities tied to hundreds and wells and pipelines, heighten the risk of storm surge and flooding associated with hurricanes in the region.

Ms. Philen is licensed to practice in Louisiana and has been admitted to practice in the United States Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana, as well as the Fifth Circuit United States Court of Appeals.

She is also a member of the American Bar Association, American Association of Justice, Louisiana Association of Justice, the Baton Rouge Bar Association, The American Inns of Court - Inn of the Teche, The National Trial Lawyers Environmental Trial Lawyers Association, The National Trial Lawyers Mass Torts Association, The National Trial Lawyers Environmental Law Association, and National Women Trial Lawyers Association.

Since 2013, Ms. Philen has continuously received an annual award for "Top Lawyers in Louisiana - Highest in Ethics Standards & Professional Excellence," as well as the Martindale-Hubbell "Client Distinction Award." The Client Distinction Award is a distinction of honor based on her Client Review Ratings of 5.0 out of 5.0.

When asked what has contributed to her success, Ms. Philen said, "I once read, success in every instance is due to a number of causes. If I had to specify what causes have led me to be successful, first and foremost, it would be the love, support and encouragement I received from my family. Second, it would be my own internal drive and ambitions, not only do what I love but to do it well. Finally, all of the experiences I have had up until today, whether professionally or personally, with clients, other attorneys and friends who have been kind enough to share their wisdom and experience have contributed to my overall success."

Ms. Philen's focus and practice with Simien & Simien, LLC will include the following areas: Environmental Contamination, Oil Field and Pipeline Contamination and Remediation, Oil & Gas Contracts, Mineral Rights, 18-Wheeler and Automobile Injury, Tort Liability, Offshore, Seaman, Admiralty and General Maritime Injuries, and other matters resulting in serious injuries.

For additional information regarding Simien & Simien, LLC, please visit http://www.simien.com.

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