Bernard S. Johnson

Lee H. Ayres is principally a trial lawyer. He has extensive experience in civil litigation, including business and commercial disputes, oil and gas litigation, property disputes, natural resources litigation, products liability claims, professional malpractice defense, trucking defense, personal injury claims, fraud claims, insurance coverage, and insurance bad faith defense. Lee received his undergraduate and law degrees at Louisiana State University Law Center, where he was a member of the...

Stephen Paine is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Corporate Law and Oil and Gas Law. Stephen practices law in Shreveport, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Stephen Paine since 2027. 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 Stephen Paine is held by other lawyers.

Katherine Smith Baker is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Environmental. Katherine Smith practices law in Shreveport, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Katherine Smith Baker since 2027. 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 Katherine Smith Baker is held by other lawyers.

Brian Carnie focuses his practice on representing management in litigation and counseling matters involving labor and employment law. Based in Shreveport, Louisiana, he works with employers across a wide range of industries to address workforce challenges that affect daily operations, compliance, and long-term business objectives. At Kean Miller , Brian provides practical legal guidance designed to help employers plan for, anticipate, and respond to both routine and unexpected human resources...

Stephen Fortson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Energy Law. Stephen practices law in Shreveport, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Stephen Fortson since 2025. 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 Stephen Fortson is held by other lawyers.

Paul A. Strickland is an oil and gas attorney based in Shreveport, Louisiana with more than four decades of experience advising clients in the energy industry. His practice focuses on Energy Law, with work that includes oil and gas projects, upstream transactions, and mineral title matters across Louisiana. Paul represents energy companies, E&P operators, mineral buyers, and other industry participants in matters involving exploration and production, mineral rights, and complex energy dev...

Leslie Kalmbach has extensive experience handling a wide variety of FERC matters, regulations and policies, including Section 7(c) and blanket construction projects under the Natural Gas Act (NGA), compliance filings, rate cases under Section 4 of the NGA, audits and investigations. She has expertise in structuring and interpreting contracts for interstate/Section 311 pipeline transportation services, including precedent agreements, transportation service agreements, interconnection agreement...

John R. Williams is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Corporate Law, Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Tax Law. John R. practices law in Shreveport, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized John R. Williams since 2010. 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 John R. Williams is held by other lawyers.

Ben's practice focuses primarily on corporate, partnership and planning areas with an emphasis on federal and state taxation. He has represented a variety of business clients in numerous transactions involving acquisitions, mergers and reorganizations. He has extensive experience with oil and gas transactions. He has successfully represented companies and estates before the various appeals offices of the Internal Revenue Service, the United States Tax Court, U.S. District Court, Court of Fede...

Ashley Gable works with oil and gas companies in most phases of the energy and oil and gas industry, including title work, litigation of landowner and royalty owner demands, pipeline right-of-way expropriation, matters involving mineral leases and other related contracts, disputes between operators and non-operators, and suits concerning environmental damage to property. Ashley additionally handles general commercial litigation matters, including breach of contract cases, business disputes, a...