Chelsea Brener Cusimano

Attorney

CONTACT

935 Gravier Street, Suite 1800
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 324-2141

Direct: (504) 267-9700

Fax: (504) 534-8961

Email: cbc@snw.law

PRACTICE AREAS

  • Employment Law
  • Civil Rights Litigation
  • Wage and Hour Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Business Litigation
  • Contract Litigation
  • Education Law and Student Discipline

Chelsea Brener Cusimano joined Sternberg, Naccari & White in 2023, expanding her litigation practice and client base after a decade of work with her family firm and for public officials.


Chelsea, a fourth-generation New Orleans lawyer, is the daughter of the late Lisa Brener, a warrior-mother-lawyer-mentor all in one, who began her trailblazing civil rights and employment practice in New Orleans in the 1980s. Now, she is well known for picking up the torch of her mother's spirited employment law practice. At SNW, she continues to represent students and institutions in Title IX and student conduct matters. Chelsea has served as an advocate for students and education matters in expulsion, discipline, and employment matters around the state.


Chelsea has experience ligating collective actions, criminal and civil litigation in both state in federal court. In 2018 she rejoined her mother's firm, Brener & Kraus, managing and litigating in employment matters, business advice, discrimination, complaince, civil rights, government-related contracting work, and general litigation (on both sides of the “v”). Her law enforcement background also includes a two-year stint as in-house counsel for the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s office.


Chelsea is a member of both the Louisiana and Georgia bars, and holds an LL.M. from George Washington University in National Security and International Affairs. She graduated from the Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 2012. While in law school at Loyola, Chelsea clerked for the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office.


Chelsea’s government experience includes legislative drafting and representation before governmental bodies. Notably, in 2020 Chelsea assisted a bipartisan group of legislators to pass the “Ka’Mauri Harrison Act,” which revised student discipline in the age of virtual instruction. Chelsea also represented Ka’Mauri in his lawsuit against the Jefferson Parish School Board when he was suspended because after his brother moved a bb-gun in the background of his room while in the virtual classroom.

Chelsea has spent significant time on pro bono cases for the underserved communities of South Louisiana–a trait she shares with many lawyers at SNW. She has been recognized by the Pro Bono Project for her dedication to pro bono efforts. In her time away from the practice of law, Chelsea enjoys event planning, exploring the culture of New Orleans, travel, and spending time with her friends, family, and Labradors.

  • Representative Matters

    • Harrison v. Jefferson Parish School Board, et al. Civil Action No. 20-2916, (E. D. La. 2020)
    • Brown v. Jefferson Parish School Board et al, No. 2:2021cv00040 -  (E.D. La. 2021)
    • Johnson v. Assumption Parish School Board et al 2:2014cv01995 (E.D. La. 2014)
    • Callum et al v. Southeastern Communications Services, Inc. et al, 1:2020cv02907, (N.D. Ga. 2020)
    • George et al v. Grayco Communications LP et al, 2:2018cv08953, (E.D. La. 2018)
    • Crain v. Schlumberger Technology Corporation, No. 2:2015cv01777 (E.D. La. 2016)

  • Bar Admissions

    • Louisiana (All State & Federal Courts)
    • Georgia

  • Education

    • University of Mississippi, B.A., 2009
    • Loyola College of Law, J.D., 2012
    • George Washington Law School, L.L.M., 2013, National Security and Foreign Relations.

  • Honors and Awards

    • Named a “Leader in Law” by New Orleans City Business, which recognized her work as Counsel to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff and community service work. 
    • In 2019, she was nominated as “millennial of the year” by Biz New Orleans in the law category. 
    • In 2022, Chelsea was named a Super Lawyer “Rising Star” for her practice of Civil Litigation.
    • Recognized by the Pro Bono Project for her dedication to pro bono efforts

  • Community and Professional Involvement

    • Member of both the Louisiana Bar
    • Member of the Georgia Bar
    • Chelsea has been heavily involved with Hogs for the Cause for more than a decade, raising money for cancer charities such as Gray Matters and the Kelsey Bradley Favrot Memorial Foundation.

MORE ABOUT CHELSEA

Chelsea Brener Cusimano: Decision Limits Employee Confidentiality And Non-Disparagement Provisions

March 30, 2023
The nature of the rules that to protect both employees and employers from future litigation is everchanging. Not a day goes by in my practice as an employment attorney where I read a new rule or decision and don’t have to ask myself: “How does this impact the balance of obligations between employer and employee?"
SNW Welcomes Attorney Chelsea Brener Cusimano

SNW Welcomes Attorney Chelsea Brener Cusimano

February 3, 2023
The Louisiana law firm of Sternberg, Naccari & White, LLC, with offices in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, is pleased to welcome Chelsea Brener Cusimano to the firm as a Partner.