Michelle Paré Ricca

Phone: (504) 553-1435

“Although I am a native to Massachusetts, I have lived and worked in Louisiana for over a decade and now call Mandeville my home. Upon graduation from Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 2012, my passion for the sea brought me to the oil field of the Gulf of Mexico. I have been fortunate to have worked on various vessels–from dive support vessels, inspection, maintenance, and repair vessels, chemical supply vessels and traditional offshore supply vessels. This experience gave me valuable insight into the maritime industry.

In addition to the commercial maritime industry, I have experience in the pleasure craft side of the industry. From 2013 to 2021, my husband and I purchased, completely overhauled – including the entire electrical wiring system – and sailed our 47’ sailboat from New Orleans to the Bahamas, up and down the east coast, and back again.”

Education

Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Juris Doctor, May 2024
- Civil Law Division
- magna cum laude
- Rank: Top 10% (18/183)
- Lawyering I (Legal Research and Writing), Earned ”A-”
- Lawyering III (Professional Ethics), Earned ‘’A*’’
- Torts I, Earned ”A”
- Member, Loyola Law Review
- 2021-2022 Warren E. Mouledoux Professional Responsibility Award Recipient
Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts
- Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering, June 2012
- Minor in Energy Management
- magna cum laude
- 2nd Refrigeration Rate, Leadership Position onboard T/S Kennedy

Admissions

Louisiana
Eastern District of Louisiana
Middle District of Louisiana
Western District of Louisiana
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Memberships & Affiliations

Louisiana State Bar Association
St. Thomas More-Loyola Law American Inn of Court

Certifications:

USCG License Chief Engineer Unlimited- Motor 30Hr
OSHA General Industry Safety & Health Girl Scout Gold Award
Vessel Security Officer
TWIC
24Hr Hazwoper Technician Training Certified Rigger for Cargo Transfers
Hydrogen Sulfide Safety Training
Helicopter Underwater Egress Training (HUET)

About

Michelle has extensive experience in maritime operations, having served as Chief Engineer Unlimited on Offshore Supply Vessels for nearly a decade. Growing up in a family with a strong maritime tradition, Michelle developed a deep connection to the industry, which shaped her career path and academic pursuits.

Prior to law school, Michelle graduated, magna cum laude, from Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering and a minor in Energy Management. As a Chief Engineer Unlimited at Otto Candies, LLC, from 2012 to 2021, she led a team of engineers, managed vessel maintenance, and oversaw complex operations including fuel, chemical, and cargo handling, as well as shipyard inspections and retrofits. Her early experience as a Cadet Intern at Tyco Telecommunications further honed her technical skills in marine engineering.

Michelle served as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Carl J. Barbier at the United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, where she applies her legal and maritime expertise to complex cases. She holds numerous certifications, including a USCG License Chief Engineer Unlimited-Motor, Vessel Security Officer, and Helicopter Underwater Egress Training (HUET), reflecting her deep commitment to safety and professionalism in the maritime industry.

Michelle’s unique blend of hands-on maritime experience and legal acumen positions her as a highly capable attorney with a profound understanding of the maritime and legal landscapes.

Professional Experience

United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana

Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Carl. J. Barbier, August 2024-August 2025

Otto Candies, LLC, Des Allemands, Louisiana
Chief Engineer Unlimited, August 2012-July 2021: Operated and maintained the engine rooms onboard various Offshore Supply Vessels contracted by Royal Dutch Shell. Led a team of engineers. Conducted vessel maintenance and inspections. Supervised fuel, chemical, liquid bulk, and dry bulk cargo operations. Supervised and coordinated shipyard inspections, retrofits, surveys, and other various projects. Maintained inventory and records.

Tyco Telecommunications, Baltimore, Maryland
Cadet Intern, December 2010-February 2011: Worked as an Engineering Cadet onboard the Cable Laying Ship Reliance. Performed daily maintenance tasks. Participated in a complete overhaul of a Bergeron main engine. Exercised cable laying equipment and learned how to be a valuable member of the engine department.

“Outside of the maritime industry, I have acquired various experiences in the power generation industry. As an intern at the Holyoke Gas & Electric Hydro Electric Plant & Dam (Mass.), I was partook in an overhaul of a hydroelectric generator. Next, as a cadet at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, part of my education was to learn how to operate and maintain two 600 lbs. steam boilers onboard the Training Ship Kennedy.

My love for the maritime industry brought me to Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, where I wanted to bring my industry experience into the legal side of the maritime industry. At Loyola, I graduated as a Professor William L. Crowe, Sr., Scholar in the top 10% of my class with magna cum laude distinction. At Loyola, I was also a research assistant to Professor Varnado and Professor Wallace, editing and revising their recently published family law treatise. Additionally, I was a member of the Loyola Law Review. For Awards, I received the (1) 2021-2022 Warren E. Mouledoux Professional Responsibility Award Recipient; (2) 2023-2024 Loyola Law Review Editorial Board Award for Outstanding Achievement by a Law Review Member; and (3) the 2023-2024 Loyola Law Review Best Comment Award.

After graduating, I clerked for the Honorable Carl J. Barbier from August 2024 to August 2025, helping me further understand the workings of the courtroom and learning effective trial advocacy.”