Joshua S. Force

Admiralty and Maritime Law

4.0 (1 reviews)

New Orleans, Louisiana

34+ years experience

Sher Garner Cahill Richter Klein & Hilbert LLC

Updated: Jan 03, 2026

Contact Information

504-299-2100

https://www.shergarner.com/attorney/force-joshua-s/

909 Poydras Street, Suite 2800, New Orleans, LA 70112

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Bio

Mr. Force practices in the areas of commercial litigation, admiralty, and complex insurance defense and coverage law and has represented clients at both the trial and appellate levels. Mr. Force is admitted to practice in Louisiana, Texas, and California and has practiced with law firms in each of those states. Mr. Force is an active member of the Maritime Law Association of the United States, having served on its Board of Directors and as Chair of the MLA's Practice and Procedure and Young Lawyers Committees. He is the Editor-in-Chief of Benedict on Admiralty, a former Managing Editor of Benedict's Maritime Bulletin, an Editorial Fellow for the American Maritime Cases, and a member of the Planning Committee and National Advisory Board of the Tulane Admiralty Law Institute. Mr. Force is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law at Tulane Law School and teaches a course in Marine Pollution. Mr. Force received his Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Haverford College. Upon graduating from law school, Mr. Force served as a law clerk to the Honorable W. Eugene Davis of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Mr. Force practices in the areas of commercial litigation, admiralty, and complex insurance defense and coverage law and has represented clients at both the trial and appellate levels. Mr. Force is admitted to practice in Louisiana, Texas, and California and has practiced with law firms in each of those states. Mr. Force is an active member of the Maritime Law Association of the United States, having served on its Board of Directors and as Chair of the MLA's Practice and Procedure and Young Lawyers Committees. He is the Editor-in-Chief of Benedict on Admiralty, a former Managing Editor of Benedict's Maritime Bulletin, an Editorial Fellow for the American Maritime Cases, and a member of the Planning Committee and National Advisory Board of the Tulane Admiralty Law Institute. Mr. Force is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law at Tulane Law School and teaches a course in Marine Pollution. Mr. Force received his Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Haverford College. Upon graduating from law school, Mr. Force served as a law clerk to the Honorable W. Eugene Davis of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Practice Areas

Admiralty and Maritime Law

Awards & Recognition

Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Banking and Finance, New Orleans (2022)
Lawyer of the Year: Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs, New Orleans (2017)
Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Real Estate, New Orleans (2016)
Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Banking and Finance, New Orleans (2014)
Recognized: Admiralty and Maritime Law
Recognized: Commercial Litigation
Recognized: Insurance Law
Recognized: Litigation - Banking and Finance
Recognized: Litigation - Real Estate
Recognized: Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
Practice Area: Litigation - Environmental
Practice Area: Litigation - First Amendment
Special Focus: Arbitration and Mediation
Special Focus: Environmental
Special Focus: Litigation
Special Focus: Marine Insurance
Special Focus: Personal Injury
Best Lawyers in America - Admiralty & Maritime Law, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Banking & Finance, Litigation - Real Estate, 2012 - 2013
Louisiana Super Lawyers, 2008 - 2013
Anne Goldsmith Hanaw and J. Jerome Hanaw Tikkun Olam Award for Campaign Excellence, 2011, Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans
Daniel R. Ginsberg Leadership Award, 2008, Anti-Defamation League
Margot and Herbert J. Garon Young Leadership Award, 2007, Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans
Barney D. Mintz Leadership Award, 2005, Anti-Defamation League, South Central Region

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2008

Education

Harvard University, J.D., graduated 1991
Haverford College, BA, graduated 1988

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Reviews

Shirley Flores

2 weeks ago

A formidable advocate for complex commercial disputes

Our company retained Joshua Force to handle a high-stakes insurance coverage dispute stemming from a significant maritime incident. With over three decades of experience, his deep knowledge of both admiralty law and complex insurance defense was immediately evident. He navigated the intricate legal and factual issues with a strategic clarity that was reassuring. It's no surprise he's been recognized as Lawyer of the Year in multiple litigation fields; his courtroom presence and negotiation skills are top-tier. Mr. Force and his team at Sher Garner were thoroughly prepared and achieved an excellent settlement that protected our interests. The only slight critique would be that communication from junior associates could sometimes lag during non-critical phases, but Mr. Force himself was always accessible for major developments. We would confidently engage his services again for any serious commercial litigation matter.