In the high-stakes world of insurance and commercial litigation, results matter — and so does reliability. In just six years, Strauss Massey Dinneen has quietly built a reputation as one of the Gulf South’s most formidable litigation boutiques, offering national-caliber advocacy from its offices in New Orleans and Gulfport, Mississippi.
Founded in late 2019, SMD has already grown to 16 lawyers with a sharp focus on complex disputes involving insurance coverage, bad faith, catastrophe litigation, and commercial matters. The firm has become a go-to for national insurers, managing mass litigation and high-dollar claims in some of the region’s most difficult venues.
Trial Lawyers First
Strauss Massey Dinneen has always led with litigation. Its founders, LCA Fellows David Strauss, Adam Massey, and Susan Dinneen — launched the firm with decades of experience and a shared belief in trial-focused advocacy. From the beginning, their model emphasized strategic preparation and courtroom credibility over volume billing or bloated headcount.
The extraordinary results speak for themselves. SMD’s bench includes national jury trial leaders, insurance coverage authorities, and bad faith specialists who bring tactical discipline to every matter — whether it’s a seven-figure dispute or a sprawling mass action with thousands of parties. Practicing closely together for decades has fostered seamless collaboration and deep institutional knowledge.
“We think like trial lawyers from the start,” said David Strauss. “Every case is positioned from day one with the endgame in mind. That’s how you create leverage — whether the case ultimately settles, goes to trial, or winds up on appeal.”
Anchored in Catastrophe Litigation
Nowhere is that mindset more critical than in catastrophe-related litigation — an area where SMD has built a commanding presence across the region. The firm serves in lead roles across mass litigation arising from Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Ida. Its lawyers currently sit on key defense steering committees coordinating strategy in both state and federal court.
Chambers-ranked David Strauss is widely known among national carriers for his ability to impose order on chaos. Having built the insurance group at his previous firm, Strauss founded SMD with a reputation for strategic precision and calm under intense pressure. He now leads litigation teams in large loss, fraud, and extra-contractual liability cases, often in the most plaintiff-friendly jurisdictions in Louisiana.
Strauss is a frequent speaker on insurance industry panels and a trusted advisor to general counsel navigating storm-related litigation and bad faith exposure. As one GC put it, “After a major disaster, you want David creating your strategic litigation plan.”
Eliminating Risk Through Smart Motion Work
Another of SMD’s key differentiators is its success in eliminating risk before it reaches a jury. Co-founder Adam Massey, a seasoned trial lawyer, is known for his sharp analytical eye and exceptional writing skills — qualities that regularly yield early wins through dispositive motions and summary judgment.
Clients and colleagues point to Massey’s ability to distill complex issues into persuasive arguments that resonate with judges, juries, and arbitrators. In high-risk insurance and commercial disputes, his briefs often pave the way for cost-effective resolutions before trial, saving clients both time and money.
“Adam sees the case many moves ahead,” Dinneen noted. “His motion work has helped us resolve some very tough matters early — and decisively.”
A Problem-Solver at the Table: The Dinneen Approach
Not all of SMD’s biggest wins come in the form of verdicts. With litigation costs rising and reputational risks growing, the firm’s clients increasingly prioritize early resolution. In these moments — often marked by high emotion, high exposure, or high complexity — partner Susan Dinneen’s strategic instincts come into sharp focus.
Dinneen has built her reputation in difficult cases that don’t lend themselves to easy answers. Known for her deep preparation and steady judgment, she handles some of the region’s most challenging insurance disputes, particularly in the aftermath of natural disasters and wrongful death claims. These are the cases where everything depends on experience, psychology, and timing.
Her ability to simplify complex disputes and spot leverage points has made her not only an exceptional litigator, but also a highly effective mediator. A graduate of the Pepperdine Caruso Law’s Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, she brings that same talent to the negotiating table, whether she’s serving as a neutral third party or helping her own clients navigate tense settlement talks. In either role, Dinneen is trusted by both sides to manage emotion, build momentum, and push toward resolution.
A Team That Punches Above Its Weight
While the founders set the tone, it’s the depth of talent at Strauss Massey Dinneen that sustains its rapid ascent.
The firm’s strength extends well beyond its founders. Members Robin Cassedy, Tasha Hebert, Marco Salgado, Dan Serio, and Brock Wimberley add significant depth across SMD’s core practice areas, reinforcing its reputation as a true team‑driven litigation boutique. Cassedy is known for her insightful analysis of impenetrable insurance policies on complex coverage issues. Hebert is widely respected for her judgment, trial readiness, and ability to guide complex cases from inception through resolution.
Salgado is known as a creative and fearless oral advocate in coverage, bad faith, and catastrophe cases, while Serio is a strategic problem-solver who consistently eliminates large, complex cases before trial through sharp analysis, savvy negotiation, and effective mediation. Wimberley is valued for his analytical precision, responsiveness, and ability to manage complex matters efficiently.
A recent addition to the firm, Of Counsel Judy Burnthorn, brings nearly 40 years of experience in high-stakes business and insurance litigation, strengthening the firm’s trial, ADR, and appellate bench.
Together, they ensure that clients benefit not just from individual excellence, but from a cohesive bench capable of handling large, sophisticated litigation at scale.
This isn’t a firm with a few stars at the top — it’s a deep bench.
“The truth is, every lawyer at SMD can lead,” said one senior claims executive. “They’re all trial-ready. They collaborate well. And they don’t waste time.”
Behind the scenes, the firm fosters a culture of excellence and mutual respect. With a mix of veterans and rising stars, it’s a team that builds on each other’s strengths.
National Reach, Boutique Focus
Despite its relatively short history, the firm was recently ranked in Chambers USA for insurance litigation — a rare distinction for a boutique of its size. Clients increasingly turn to SMD not just for courtroom representation, but for national coordinating counsel, policy interpretation, and litigation strategy across jurisdictions.
“SMD has been essential in helping us rethink our claims litigation strategy,” one carrier executive shared. “They’re not just litigators — they’re advisors.”
Redefining the Boutique Model
In a legal market where clients increasingly seek nimble, specialized firms with real trial chops, Strauss Massey Dinneen offers a compelling blueprint — and the market has responded.
From complex storm litigation to insurance coverage battles, commercial disputes, and bad faith defense, SMD has shown how a smart, focused team can deliver big results without the bureaucracy of BigLaw. And with a growing bench of trial-ready lawyers and future leaders, the firm is poised to shape the Gulf South’s litigation landscape for years to come.
As one national client summed it up:
“SMD isn’t just a boutique. They’re a force.”
Find them online at smd-law.com.
