Brian W. Harrell
Managing Partner
New Orleans Office
3900 North Causeway Blvd. Suite 1200
Metairie, Louisiana 70002
Brian W. Harrell is the Managing Partner of the New Orleans hub of Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A., where he leads the firm's Louisiana practice with a steadfast commitment to excellence in legal advocacy. With over two decades of experience in defense litigation, Mr. Harrell has established himself as a trusted legal strategist, adept at handling complex, high-stakes cases across a broad spectrum of practice areas.
His extensive expertise spans construction litigation, casualty litigation, first- and third-party insurance coverage, products liability, and bad faith litigation. Additionally, he is highly experienced in complex commercial litigation, professional liability, workers' compensation defense, and toxic tort litigation.
Legal Experience & Leadership
Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Harrell has held senior attorney roles at leading law firms in Louisiana, including his decade-long tenure as Partner-In-Charge, where he specialized in construction litigation, property/casualty litigation, bad faith defense and products liability matters. In this capacity, he represented some of the nation's largest insurance carriers, Fortune 500 companies, insured individuals, and business owners, skillfully managing claims from inception to resolution.
His comprehensive litigation experience includes overseeing all aspects of case management in both state and federal courts, from initial filings, discovery, and motion practice to trial advocacy and appellate proceedings. As a leader within the legal community, Mr. Harrell has mentored and guided attorneys at various levels, ensuring effective litigation strategies and favorable outcomes for clients.
Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology Training
Mr. Harrell's practice has also evolved to include training in artificial intelligence, machine learning concepts, and the responsible use of generative AI in professional services. His practice focuses on practical AI literacy for lawyers, including prompt engineering, evaluation of AI-driven legal research and drafting tools, data security and confidentiality considerations, and governance and ethical risk management. His training emphasizes applied use cases in litigation, compliance, and firm operations, with particular attention to attorney supervision obligations, accuracy verification, and client communication requirements when AI tools are used in legal work.
Educational Background
Mr. Harrell earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy from Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge in 1998. He then pursued his legal education at Tulane Law School, obtaining his Juris Doctor (J.D.) in May 2001.
In addition to his formal legal education, Mr. Harrell has completed extensive postgraduate training and professional certifications in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies through leading academic and industry institutions, including Oxford Saïd Business School, Vanderbilt University, the London School of Economics, the University of Michigan and IBM.
Licenses & Professional Affiliations
Licensed to practice law in Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, and New Mexico, Mr. Harrell is an active member of several esteemed legal organizations, including:
- Louisiana Bar Association
- Texas Bar Association
- American Bar Association (ABA)
- New Orleans Bar Association
- Baton Rouge Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association
- Defense Research Institute
- Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
- New Mexico Bar Association
- Alabama Bar Association
Through his dedication to the legal profession, Mr. Harrell continues to provide strategic counsel and aggressive advocacy, ensuring his clients receive the highest level of representation.
