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    Pablo Gonzalez photograph

    Pablo Gonzalez

    Partner

    New Orleans
    504-584-9353
    pablo.gonzalez@phelps.com
    Areas Of Focus
    InsuranceCybersecurity, Privacy and Data ProtectionProfessional Liability

    Pablo Gonzalez has spent his entire career at Phelps, where he counsels cyber insurers and litigates complex coverage issues. He is the firmwide leader of the Insurance and Reinsurance Practice Group and co-leads Phelps’ Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Working Group.

    When Pablo was in London in 2012, as part of Faraday’s (Syndicate 453) Secondee Counsel Program at Lloyd’s, he identified cyber insurance as an emerging market. He returned to New Orleans and set out to pioneer his own cyber practice at Phelps.

    For more than a decade, Pablo and his team have worked on thousands of data breach incidents, from individual matters to the largest incidents reported in health care, retail, hospitality, financial institutions, education, outsourced service providers, and government.

    Pablo and his team routinely advise London Market and domestic insurers on first- and third-party cyber claims involving incident response, ransomware and other malicious attacks, business interruption losses, security and privacy liability, media liability, technology E&O, regulatory liability, and other cyber and privacy-related exposures.

    Insurance is a relationship-based industry. When structuring frameworks, Pablo is mindful of maintaining and building relationships amongst insurers, brokers and insureds.

    Guiding innovation

    Innovation is a key aspect of Pablo’s approach. He collaborates and guides traditional insurers, London Syndicates, MGAs, captives, and InsureTechs alike.

    In 2014, Pablo created Phelps’s unique intake model for cyber claims to increase efficiencies in the industry. Under that model, Phelps team members are available 24/7 to guide incident response efforts. In 2019, the Lloyd’s Market Association (LMA) asked Pablo to present “Different Models for Handling Cyber Claims,” which included the Phelps model.

    In the wake of the 2020 ransomware spike during the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a Ransomware Advisory warning of potential sanctions risks related to the facilitation of ransomware payments. The LMA, in conjunction with London market insurers, brokers and industry experts produced a bulletin setting out guidance for handling a ransomware claim incident. Pablo, together with worldwide leading industry experts, provided substantial input to the drafting of the bulletin. 

    Policy wordings are dear to Pablo. He writes policies from scratch, updates existing language to address new risks, updates libraries of endorsements, and defends wordings in litigation.

    Pablo also embraces mentorship. He is a co-dean and professor of the Cyber Claims College offered by the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM).

    Notable insurance coverage litigations

    Pablo cut his teeth litigating first- and third-party coverage disputes and bad faith cases in Louisiana, which prepared him to litigate disputes in the still-emerging area of cyber insurance and other complex insurance coverage disputes.

      • New Hotel Monteleone, LLC v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s, et. al., In 2016, Pablo defended insurers in one of the first litigated cyber matters, which was filed in Louisiana and involved a PCI-DSS claim.
      • Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s, et. al. v. Plaid, Inc. In 2022, Pablo and his team represented certain London excess insurers in a declaratory judgment action in California state court. Plaid, Inc, a fintech intermediary between bank accounts and financial apps such as Venmo and CashApp, sought coverage for a $58 million settlement of a consumer class action; insurers contended that coverage was barred for related acts prior to applicable retroactive dates, among other arguments.
      • Rimini St., Inc. v. AXIS Ins. Co. In 2022, Pablo and his team defended AXIS Ins. Co. in the declaratory judgment action filed in Illinois federal court. It ultimately resulted in Rimini Street’s voluntary dismissal of the case in 2024, with prejudice.
      • Carlyle Aviation Partners, et. al. v. American International Group, et. al. Pablo and members of Phelps’s litigation team in Tampa defended certain London syndicates against one of the largest insurance coverage actions in recent times. The policyholder sought $703 million in insurance for the claimed loss of 23 aircraft in Russia that remain in Russia due to international sanctions and countersanctions following Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. 

    Collaboration is built into Pablo’s practice. His vast experience in cyber is a value-add to Phelps’ litigation teams and trial strategies for firm clients. He and his teams have defended several nationwide data breach class actions. They are among the only teams nationwide to have taken and defended a data breach through class certification—and to achieve denial of class certification.

    Outside the office

    Outside of the insurance world, Pablo is a drummer and bass guitarist who performed at New Orleans Jazz Fest. In 2019, he reunited with his 1997 basketball teammates for their induction into the Athletics Hall of Fame at Sewanee – The University of the South.

    Guiding innovation

    Innovation is a key aspect of Pablo’s approach. He collaborates and guides traditional insurers, London Syndicates, MGAs, captives, and InsureTechs alike.

    In 2014, Pablo created Phelps’s unique intake model for cyber claims to increase efficiencies in the industry. Under that model, Phelps team members are available 24/7 to guide incident response efforts. In 2019, the Lloyd’s Market Association (LMA) asked Pablo to present “Different Models for Handling Cyber Claims,” which included the Phelps model.

    In the wake of the 2020 ransomware spike during the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a Ransomware Advisory warning of potential sanctions risks related to the facilitation of ransomware payments. The LMA, in conjunction with London market insurers, brokers and industry experts produced a bulletin setting out guidance for handling a ransomware claim incident. Pablo, together with worldwide leading industry experts, provided substantial input to the drafting of the bulletin. 

    Policy wordings are dear to Pablo. He writes policies from scratch, updates existing language to address new risks, updates libraries of endorsements, and defends wordings in litigation.

    Pablo also embraces mentorship. He is a co-dean and professor of the Cyber Claims College offered by the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM).

    Notable insurance coverage litigations

    Pablo cut his teeth litigating first- and third-party coverage disputes and bad faith cases in Louisiana, which prepared him to litigate disputes in the still-emerging area of cyber insurance and other complex insurance coverage disputes.

      • New Hotel Monteleone, LLC v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s, et. al., In 2016, Pablo defended insurers in one of the first litigated cyber matters, which was filed in Louisiana and involved a PCI-DSS claim.
      • Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s, et. al. v. Plaid, Inc. In 2022, Pablo and his team represented certain London excess insurers in a declaratory judgment action in California state court. Plaid, Inc, a fintech intermediary between bank accounts and financial apps such as Venmo and CashApp, sought coverage for a $58 million settlement of a consumer class action; insurers contended that coverage was barred for related acts prior to applicable retroactive dates, among other arguments.
      • Rimini St., Inc. v. AXIS Ins. Co. In 2022, Pablo and his team defended AXIS Ins. Co. in the declaratory judgment action filed in Illinois federal court. It ultimately resulted in Rimini Street’s voluntary dismissal of the case in 2024, with prejudice.
      • Carlyle Aviation Partners, et. al. v. American International Group, et. al. Pablo and members of Phelps’s litigation team in Tampa defended certain London syndicates against one of the largest insurance coverage actions in recent times. The policyholder sought $703 million in insurance for the claimed loss of 23 aircraft in Russia that remain in Russia due to international sanctions and countersanctions following Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. 

    Collaboration is built into Pablo’s practice. His vast experience in cyber is a value-add to Phelps’ litigation teams and trial strategies for firm clients. He and his teams have defended several nationwide data breach class actions. They are among the only teams nationwide to have taken and defended a data breach through class certification—and to achieve denial of class certification.

    Outside the office

    Outside of the insurance world, Pablo is a drummer and bass guitarist who performed at New Orleans Jazz Fest. In 2019, he reunited with his 1997 basketball teammates for their induction into the Athletics Hall of Fame at Sewanee – The University of the South.

    Experience

    • Won a summary judgment motion holding that a major U.S. insurer did not have to defend a policyholder in a data-breach class action involving employees in 14 school districts.
    • Coordinates monitoring of cyber claims for 10+ underwriting syndicates on a primary and excess basis.
    • Handled numerous business interruption claims arising from Hurricane Katrina.

    Insights

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    • August 15, 2025

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      Louisiana Changes its “Proof of Loss” Law …

    • June 5, 2025

      Phelps’ Chambers USA Rankings Expand to 78 Lawyers, 28 Practices in 2025 Guide…

    • March 28, 2025

      Phelps Louisiana Team Honored in Super Lawyers’ 2025 Lists …

    • August 15, 2024

      185 Phelps Lawyers Chosen for Best Lawyers in America, 20 Named "Lawyer of the Year," 26 Added to “Ones to Watch” List…

    • June 26, 2024

      Class Action Dismissed Over Lack of Injury Raises Bar for Data Breach Suits…

    • August 17, 2023

      Best Lawyers in America Selects 208 Phelps Lawyers, Names 12 "Lawyer of the Year," Adds 47 to "Ones to Watch" List…

    • May 24, 2023

      NOBA Presents The Dos & Don'ts of Summer Clerkships…

    • March 23, 2023

      How U.S. SMBs Can Actually Meet Current Cyber Insurance Broker/Carrier-Imposed Cyber Minimum Requirements…

    • November 14, 2022

      Federal Court Adopts Expansive View of Cyber Policy Business Interruption Coverage…

    • October 25, 2022

      New Orleans CityBusiness Leadership in Law Honors Phelps Partners Pablo Gonzalez and Mary Ellen Roy…

    • August 18, 2022

      Best Lawyers in America Selects 158 Phelps Lawyers, Names 10 "Lawyer of the Year," Adds 40 to "Ones to Watch" List…

    • November 1, 2021

      Twenty Phelps Lawyers Named Top Lawyers by New Orleans Magazine…

    • December 19, 2019

      44 Phelps Attorneys Named to Louisiana Super Lawyers 2020…

    Recognition

    • Insurance Law (2021-2026), Litigation - Insurance (2020-2026), Reinsurance Law (2020-2026), "Lawyer of the Year" Insurance Law (2022), The Best Lawyers in America
    • Louisiana Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers (2014-2020, 2025)
    • Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business - Insurance
    • Inductee into the Athletics Hall of Fame, University of the South 1997 Men’s Basketball Team (2019)
    • Insurance Law (2021-2026), Litigation - Insurance (2020-2026), Reinsurance Law (2020-2026), "Lawyer of the Year" Insurance Law (2022), The Best Lawyers in America
    • Louisiana Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers (2014-2020, 2025)
    • Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business - Insurance
    • Inductee into the Athletics Hall of Fame, University of the South 1997 Men’s Basketball Team (2019)

    Education

    • Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2004
    • Sewanee: The University of the South, B.A., English, The Order of Gownsmen, 2000
    • Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2004
    • Sewanee: The University of the South, B.A., English, The Order of Gownsmen, 2000

    Credentials

    • Louisiana
    • U.S. Supreme Court
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
    • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana
    • U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana
    • Louisiana
    • U.S. Supreme Court
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
    • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana
    • U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana

    Memberships and Affiliations

    Professional

      • Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
      • Louisiana State Bar Association - Publications Subcommittee (2011-present), Ethics Advisory Service Committee (2014-present), Ethics Advisory Service Subcommittee (2011-2014), Rules of Professional Conduct Committee (2009-2011) - Leadership LSBA (Class of 2009)
      • New Orleans Bar Association
      • Thomas More Inn of Court
      • Council of the Louisiana State Law Institute - Observer of the Young Lawyer’s Section (2009)

    Civic

      • Trinity Episcopal School - Board of Trustees
      • Carrollton Boosters - Board of Directors

    Professional

      • Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
      • Louisiana State Bar Association - Publications Subcommittee (2011-present), Ethics Advisory Service Committee (2014-present), Ethics Advisory Service Subcommittee (2011-2014), Rules of Professional Conduct Committee (2009-2011) - Leadership LSBA (Class of 2009)
      • New Orleans Bar Association
      • Thomas More Inn of Court
      • Council of the Louisiana State Law Institute - Observer of the Young Lawyer’s Section (2009)

    Civic

      • Trinity Episcopal School - Board of Trustees
      • Carrollton Boosters - Board of Directors
    • Overview
    • Experience
    • Insights
    • Recognition
    • Education
    • Credentials
    • Memberships and Affiliations

    Related Services

    • Professional Liability
    • Insurance
    • Cybersecurity, Privacy and Data Protection
    • Insurance
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