Ms. McNamara is a commercial litigator experienced in handling complex commercial litigation at trial and on appeal in both federal and state court. She has represented clients in a wide variety of disputes, including business torts, class actions, contract disputes, franchisee/franchisor disputes, securities litigation, and the protection and enforcement of creditors' rights in bankruptcy proceedings. Ms. McNamara has also represented local and national media clients in areas such as access to public records, protection of the reporter's privilege in both civil and criminal court, and general pre-publication advice. Before joining Shaw Norton Degan, L.L.P. in November 2002, Ms. McNamara practiced law in the commercial litigation section of Phelps Dunbar LLP's New Orleans office.

PRACTICE AREAS

• Commercial Litigation
  
• Media
  
• Appellate Practice
  

EDUCATION

• Tulane Law School (J.D. 1995, Magna Cum Laude, Order of the Coif); Senior Associate Editor and Member, Tulane Law Review, 1993-1995; Tulane Law School Scholarship
  
• Tulane University, Newcomb College (B.A. 1992, Cum Laude)
  

MEMBERSHIPS

• American Bar Association
  
  • Litigation Section
    
• Federal Bar Association
  
• Louisiana State Bar Association
  
• Texas State Bar Association
  
• New Orleans Bar Association
  

RECENT PRESENTATIONS

• Speaker: "Taking and Defending Effective Depositions in Louisiana," Continuing Legal Education Program, New Orleans, Louisiana (July 25, 2002).
  
• Speaker: "Knowing the Law: Your Rights and Potential Liabilities," Radio Television News Directors Association Regional Meeting, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (March 3, 2001).
  

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

• Contributor to "From the Hotline," a column that answers common questions received from journalists, The News Media and the Law, Spring 2001
  
• "United States v. Thomas: The Fifth Circuit Interprets Section 921(a)(2) of the Firearm Owners' Protection Act," 68 Tulane Law Review 1400 (1994).
  

BAR ADMISSIONS

• Louisiana
  
• Texas