THE FIRM This team enjoys a strong reputation in Louisiana. The 30-lawyer group has recently been involved in a variety of complex and high-end matters on behalf of major clients from a range of industrial sectors.
Sources say: "This is a firm that deserves its reputation – you see it in lots of major cases."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources have "nothing but the highest respect" for Roy Cheatwood. He focuses on commercial litigation and has served as lead counsel on some of the firm's most significant matters. "Terrific litigator" Nancy Degan has recently acted for retail and energy industry clients in diverse lawsuits, in addition to supporting Cheatwood on large litigation. Kent Lambert is well regarded for banking litigation and represents a number of financial institutions in complex disputes.
THE FIRM This litigation boutique has considerable strength and depth in all kinds of dispute. The practice has recently been involved in major disputes in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, particularly on behalf of Allstate. National welding fume lawsuits also form a key part of the group's workload, as do various personal injury and securities matters.
Sources say: "These litigators are extremely talented."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Managing partner Steven Usdin is a "top litigator." He has been busy winding up many of the final pieces of Katrina litigation. Judy Barrasso is considered one of the state's finest litigators, whom sources "would not hesitate to call for advice." She has taken a lead role in Chinese drywall cases on behalf of various major insurers. Several interviewees laud Richard Sarver as an "amazing trial lawyer." He has served as lead counsel for numerous welding products manufacturers in significant litigation. Stephen Kupperman has recently tried a number of securities cases and litigation arising out of oil spills. George Freeman "really knows his stuff" and has a specialty in securities litigation, particularly involving broker-dealer issues.
THE FIRM Jones Walker has one of the larger presences in Louisiana and is backed by more than 100 full-time litigators across its network of offices. As a result, the firm has considerable strength and a variety of expertise. The team has been active on behalf of Hornbeck in its attempt to lift the moratorium on deepwater drilling in the Gulf.
Sources say: "Adept and tenacious litigators that don't waste resources. If you have a nasty commercial dispute, these are people you want on side."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Practice head Patrick Vance has a high profile on large, complex cases. Interviewees consistently praise him as an "excellent business litigator." Harry Hardin has a well-rounded commercial practice and particular expertise in appellate proceedings. Pauline Hardin enjoys a strong reputation for white-collar investigations, and has recently assisted clients with RICO investigations.
THE FIRM This firm is known as an oil and gas specialist thanks to a great deal of litigation related to the energy industry. The team is lead local counsel to BP, but also has strength beyond oil and gas. The group is heavily involved in banking and has been active in cases involving failed banks nationwide. It remains a leading player despite the departure of top litigator Brian Jackson to the Bench.
Sources say: "This firm is particularly outstanding for oil and gas litigation."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Donald Abaunza has "a terrific reputation, particularly for admiralty and maritime litigation." He has taken a lead role in the representation of BP. James Brown is well regarded by sources for his impressive work in professional liability cases. He has recently acted for law firms and other professional entities. New hire Kenneth Polite concentrates on white-collar crime and is widely tipped as an excellent younger attorney.
THE FIRM This firm is a major regional player and the litigation team is no exception. The group has a particularly extensive insurance practice which regularly represents syndicates and insurers in disputes. The Baton Rouge office is known for its construction focus and has represented major energy corporations in pipeline disputes.
Sources say: "Phelps Dunbar has many skilled attorneys who are particularly experienced in reinsurance cases."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources commend Brent Barriere's "strong abilities as a litigator." He is particularly well known for his skillful handling of D&O liability cases, which he tries in Louisiana and beyond. Harry Rosenberg is a white-collar crime expert, particularly with regard to environmental crimes and healthcare fraud.
THE FIRM The litigation group at Stone Pigman has an outstanding reputation and many high-quality lawyers. Recent highlights include representing one of the major parties in matters relating to the BP series of litigations. The practice has also represented organizations from the energy, insurance and technology sectors in various major disputes.
Sources say: "This formidable firm's work is outstanding."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Phillip Wittmann is "the best by a long way" for litigation in Louisiana. He is a multidistrict specialist; as well as being heavily involved in BP matters, he has acted as defense counsel for multidistrict litigation involving Vioxx. Wayne Lee is praised by interviewees as "a 'community leader' who is very articulate." He is active in Chinese drywall litigation and regularly represents State Farm. Barry Ashe is "a very smart guy." He is best known as an appellate specialist and recently represented clients on expropriation claims arising out of Hurricane Katrina.
THE FIRM This corporate boutique has been building its litigation practice with a streamlined team of ten lawyers. It has recently received sizable instructions, including the representation of a major national newspaper in a defamation case, and has a specialist securities practice.
Sources say: "Both the litigation team and indeed the entire firm are extremely skilled."
KEY INDIVIDUALS James Swanson enjoys a fine reputation among his peers, who consistently praise him as a "quality lawyer." Though he has a broad general commercial practice, he is particularly well known for securities litigation. Loretta Mince has particular strength in insurance and media cases, having recently acted on behalf of The Times-Picayune. Clients appreciate her "knowledge of the market from the ground up and ability to translate complex legal jargon into layman's terms." Younger partner Joseph Peiffer specializes in representing plaintiffs in actions against broker-dealers.
THE FIRM This traditional energy firm frequently handles litigation related to this specialty. The team has recently been involved in pipeline and gas storage disputes, as well as dealing with a significant amount of construction litigation.
Sources say: "The team is smart, quick on its feet and turns out high-quality briefs."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Ewell Eagan is "a very talented lawyer." He regularly acts for Entergy in Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet litigation and several class actions. Howard Sinor is a well-respected litigator with a well-rounded practice. He has recently been involved in a number of construction disputes.
THE FIRM This compact six-attorney litigation team handles a number of high-profile cases in the Baton Rouge area. The group has recently handled various energy-related cases involving both oil and gas companies and electricity suppliers.
Sources say: "A talented firm that gets good results for its clients."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Claude Reynaud is described by commentators as "a pleasure to work with." He is particularly well known for litigation involving fiduciary duties, and is currently working on a multimillion-dollar suit involving such issues. Former Lemle & Kelleher attorney Alan Goodman is a new addition to the practice. "A highly intelligent litigator," he is also noted for his bankruptcy expertise.
THE FIRM This is regarded as a high-quality plaintiffs' firm. It specializes in handling multidistrict litigation and class actions, and has been involved in many of the major class actions filed in New Orleans of late. Such matters involve Vioxx product liability disputes, Chinese drywall and several large maritime personal injury cases.
Sources say: "This firm makes the defense Bar's lives difficult, as it rightly should."
KEY INDIVIDUALS "Skilled and successful plaintiffs' lawyer" Russ Herman is well thought of in the New Orleans legal community. He has recently taken lead roles in litigation against major tobacco companies and in Chinese drywall litigation.
THE FIRM This firm has a significant reputation and a loyal client following in the New Orleans market. The team has handled a wide variety of matters of late, from defamation actions to large commercial disputes. Recently the group won a large environmental case against a major oil company; it also acts on behalf of various energy industry clients.
Sources say: "This is one of the best local firms, providing top-drawer service and attorneys at reasonable rates."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Numerous clients enthuse about James Garner, describing him as "a force of nature." He handles a broad and extensive caseload, and has recently been involved in many major cases including litigation relating to insurance coverage and high-exposure environmental cases.
Richard Stanley of Stanley Reuter Ross Thornton & Alford L.L.C. is held in very high regard by sources, who see him as
"an excellent trial lawyer and a consummate professional." He often represents large professional firms in various disputes, and counts Entergy among his clients. Experienced of counsel
George Frilot of Frilot LLC is well respected and has recently handled several product liability claims.
Daniel Lund of Montgomery Barnett L.L.P regularly represents firms in malpractice suits.
Walter Becker of Chaffe McCall, LLP is an acknowledged expert in defense of government investigations pertaining to the misuse of oil-water separators. Clients, peers and members of the Bench are impressed by the performance of new entry
Mark Beebe, of Adams and Reese LLP. He is particularly well regarded for his trial skills and has recently worked on a number of antitrust and general commercial disputes.
Robert Kerrigan of Deutsch, Kerrigan & Stiles LLP is well thought of for insurance defense work in New Orleans.
Christine Lipsey of McGlinchey Stafford PLLC has a good reputation among peers, having recently represented clients in construction and real estate disputes.