Alex Robertson

Rebecca Sha is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Commercial Litigation. Rebecca practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Rebecca Sha since 2023. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Rebecca Sha is held by other lawyers.

Philip D. Nizialek is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation and Insurance Law. Philip D. practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Philip D. Nizialek since 2014. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Philip D. Nizialek is held by other lawyers.

Of Counsel

Frank Accardo is a founding member of the firm. He has been engaged in trial and appellate product liability litigation for over 30 years. His primary practice responsibilities include serving as managing counsel for the defense of asbestos personal injury litigation pending nationwide. Mr. Accardo was a licensed engineer engaged in the design and construction of offshore oil and gas platforms before starting his legal career.

Melissa Lessell partners with her clients faced with professional liability and complex commercial litigation matters. She helps professionals navigate through disciplinary actions, ethics investigations, malpractice, negligence and breach of fiduciary duty claims and lawsuits. Forming partnerships with her clients, Melissa Lessell tirelessly defends them in professional liability and complex commercial litigation matters. She helps professionals navigate through disciplinary actions, license...

Richard Tyler is a partner on the Construction Team. He regularly serves as lead counsel in complex, high-stakes construction disputes. Rich joined Jones Walker in 1982 and is a former practice leader of the firm’s Construction Practice Group. Widely acknowledged as one of the nation’s top construction attorneys, over the past decade Rich has served as lead counsel in disputes involving more than $500 million in aggregate claim value across the country. He has received top ratings...

T. Jay Seale, III was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1947 and has lived in Hammond, Louisiana for most of his adult life. He earned his Juris Doctor from LSU’s Paul M. Hebert Law School in 1973 and began practicing law in Hammond later that year. After practicing as a solo attorney for two years, he began developing what is now Seale & Ross, A Professional Law Corporation, with offices in Hammond, Baton Rouge, and Madisonville. Mr. Seale’s practice includes Commercial Liti...

John Werner is the Managing Partner of Fishman Haygood. John works in the firm’s Business Section, primarily on financings, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, and general corporate advice. In private equity, John represents Black Bay Energy Capital, Jefferson Capital Partners, and Enhanced Capital Partners in their investments in various portfolio companies. He also represents numerous private equity funded portfolio companies in their ongoing corporate nee...

Chelsea P. Fitzgerald is an attorney with Cohen Rabinowitz PLLC in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her practice includes banking and finance law and real estate law. Fitzgerald advises clients on legal matters involving financial transactions, banking relationships and real estate. Her work focuses on helping individuals, businesses and other clients address the legal issues that arise in these areas. Fitzgerald was recognized by Best Lawyers in 2026 for Banking and Finance Law and Real Estate Law. B...

Frank P. Tranchina, Jr., is a partner in the law firm of Tranchina & Mansfield, L.L.C. He received his law degree from Loyola University School of Law in 1979. He is Board Certified in Family Law by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization and is also licensed in the State of California. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He is a past chairman of the Family Law sections of the Louisiana State and Jefferson Bar Associations as well as co-chair of the board ce...