BACKGROUND
Louis was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on April 21, 1959. He is a graduate of Clemson University (B.A., 1981) and the University of South Carolina Law School (J.D., 1985) where he was a member of Phi Alpha Delta Fraternity. He was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 1985, the United States District Court, District of South Carolina in 1986, and the United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit in 1987. He is a member of the Charleston County, South Carolina and American Bar Associations and the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys Association. His practice areas include product liability, toxic torts and general negligence.

For over a decade, Louis' practice has concentrated on serving as National Coordinating Counsel for two corporations that are involved in asbestos and silica litigation. He oversees discovery concerning the claims that are filed, coordinates trial preparation and the defenses to be presented, and is responsible for the preparation of the corporations' corporate and expert witnesses to testify.

AV MARTINDALE-HUBBELL LEXIS NEXIS PEER REVIEW RATING
Mr. Herns has the highest available peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. Herns is rated Very High to Preeminent for Legal Ability and Very High for Ethical Standards. A lawyer must be admitted to the bar for 10 years or more to receive an AV rating and is a testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence.

AV, BV and CV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.