Gauthier Murphy & Houghtaling law firm has been one of the most influential and most respected law firms in the South & continues the tradition of outstanding legal representation established by the late Wendell Gauthier in the early 70's. For the past thirty years, Wendell Gauthier was ranked as one of the "Nations Top 10 Litigation Lawyers" by the National Law Journal and one of the "100 Most Influential Lawyers in America" by the National Law Journal in 1985, 1990 and 1995. The Gauthier firm rose to national prominence as leader of the 100 law firm coalition that negotiated the $350 billion settlement with the Tobacco Industry. The firm, with a 46 year old legacy is credited as paving the way to the $365 billion dollar U.S. tobacco settlement, and has won settlements and verdicts in an additional $4.7 Billion. In March of 2005, in an article entitled "Legendary Law Firm Ruled by New Lawyer," City Business Magazine featured Managing Partner John Houghtaling on its front cover when he overtook the leadership of the Gauthier firm following Wendell Gauthier's passing. In 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008, Mr. John Houghtaling was ranked as one of the "Top 50 Lawyers in New Orleans" by City Business Magazine, one of only four lawyers recognized so consecutively. John Houghtaling was elected to the magazine's Hall of Fame in 2009.