Maria I. O’Byrne Stephenson
Attorney
- Phone
- AddressNew Orleans, Louisiana
Maria I. O’Byrne Stephenson was born in Cali, Colombia. She is a 1975 graduate of the University of Houston Law School. She was a partner in the regional law firm of Bryan, Nelson, Allen, Schroeder & Stephenson and later operated her own firm for 10 years before establishing Stephenson, Chávarri& Dawson, L.L.C. Her areas of practice include toxic tort/product liability defense, maritime law, insurance defense, immigration law, international law, estate planning and probate, litigation and workers’ compensation. For years, she has been the consulting attorney for many of the Latin American Consulates in New Orleans. She is fluent in both Spanish and French. She is also an honored member of the National Directory of Who’s Who, 1996-1997, as well as a recipient of the Diploma al Merito from the government of Mexico (1994) and of the Tributo de Reconocimiento from the government of Colombia (1999). Ms. Stephenson was the Peruvian Consul 1999 – 2010 – Member: Department of Commerce, District Export Counsel
Litigation Percentage
- 50% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions
- Louisiana, 1976
- Texas, 1976
Education
- University of Houston Law Center, Houston, Texas
- J.D. – 1975
- Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
- B.A. – 1973
- Major: French
References
- Gordon Stevens, New Orleans Steamboat Co.
- William Corum, American Fidelity Assurance Co.
- William Lynch, American Southern Ins. Co.
Honors and Awards
- Diploma al Merito, 1994
- Que Pasa Hispanic Attorney of the Year, 1990
- Aqui New Orleans Attorney of the Year, 1998
- La Prensa Attorney of the Year, 1997
- Tributo de Reconocimiento- Republic of Colombia, 1999
- Honorary Consul of Peru, 1999 – 2009
Professional Associations and Memberships
- American Immigration Association, 1986 – Present
- LA Association of Defense Counsel, 1986 – Present
- LA Hispanic Lawyers Association, President, 1997 – 1998
- LA Pan American Commission, 1992 – 1995
- Maritime Law Association
- LA-Mexico Trade Association, Director, 1994 – 1996
- Mexican Cultural Center of the South, Vice President, 1994 – 1995
- Shared Housing of New Orleans, Director, 1999 – Present
- Sociedad Espanola, 1990 – Present
Past Employment Positions
- Law Offices of Maria I. O’Byrne Stephenson, 1986 – 1996
- Bryan, Nelson, Allen, Schroeder and Stephenson, 1980 – 1986
- Grisbaum & Kleppner, 1976 – 1978
Pro Bono Activities
- Undocumented Aliens Representation
- Shared Housing
Languages
- Spanish
- French
