Lara DiCristina
Lara DiCristina is the Managing Partner in Tyson & Mendes’ New Orleans office. She is a distinguished trial attorney with a stellar record in high-exposure litigation. She focuses her practice on admiralty and maritime law, commercial litigation, construction law, energy and environmental law, insurance coverage and defense, and mass tort and class action cases.
Known for her strategic approach and courtroom excellence, Ms. DiCristina brings deep expertise in litigation and strategic legal counsel within the maritime, energy, and transport sectors. As a trusted advocate, she represents large and small corporations, insurers, and industry leaders against catastrophic incidents involving serious personal injury, wrongful death, property damage, and environmental disasters. Ms. DiCristina’s commitment to client service is evident in her approach—combining aggressive representation with compassionate client care. Her ability to simplify complex legal issues for juries, negotiate effectively with opposing counsel, and manage cases to trial has earned her respect from peers and clients alike.
Before joining Tyson & Mendes, Ms. DiCristina brought her legal expertise directly to clients as a legal consultant. She has also served as a Partner at multiple firms, giving her extensive experience with all stages of litigation for clients across numerous industries.
Ms. DiCristina has been nationally recognized in “The Legal 500 United States” for Transport: Shipping – Litigation and Regulation. Her work has earned her a spot in Best Lawyers® since 2024, highlighting her peer-recognized legal abilities in her field.
In addition to her legal practice, Ms. DiCristina actively contributes to the legal community through speaking engagements. Notably, early in her career, she co-presented “Anatomy of a Disaster: Murphy Oil’s Response to Hurricane Katrina Oil Spill,” a CLE presentation in New York, New York, in 2008. More recently, she co-presented on maritime personal injury lawsuits at the Greater New Orleans Barge Fleeting Association’s 39th River and Marine Industry Seminar in April 2023.
Ms. DiCristina is committed to legal education and mentorship. She frequently conducts client education training sessions, speaks at conferences, and mentors young attorneys, fostering the next generation of legal talent. Ms. DiCristina was drawn to Tyson & Mendes because of the firm’s unparalleled investment in continuing education programs at all levels and practice areas.
Throughout her career, Ms. DiCristina has been actively involved in professional organizations, including serving as a member of the Lawyers Professionalism and Ethics Committee for the Defense Research Institute. She is also a member of the Jewish American Insurance & Legal Professionals Association.
She obtained her J.D. from Louisiana State University Law Center. She obtained her B.A. in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University.
Outside of her legal career, Ms. DiCristina enjoys spending quality time with her husband, two children, and their two rescue beagles. She is an enthusiastic supporter of her children’s athletic pursuits and a passionate fan of the LSU Tigers, the New Orleans Saints, and the New Orleans Pelicans.