Brian Ballay

Barbara Arras represents defendants in toxic tort litigation primarily involving pulmonary diseases allegedly caused by asbestos and other pulmonary irritants and hematopoietic diseases allegedly caused by benzene. She is responsible for the medical defense in each case. Specifically, she analyzes the facts to formulate a theory of defense and identifies the correct scientific discipline needed to advance that theory. She then identifies and retains the best expert in that discipline from her...

Ashley advises businesses, financial institutions, and individuals concerning bankruptcies, class actions, contracts, construction, environmental issues, fidelity, surety and financial institution bonds, insurance, professional malpractice, real estate, corporate, and estate matters. She also mediates and arbitrates business disputes. Ashley currently serves as a member of the AAA Construction Panel, AAA Commercial Panel and FINRA Panel as an arbitrator and mediator. After Hurricane Katrina, ...

Kelly Ransom’s practice is focused on intellectual property litigation, energy and environmental litigation, and other high-stakes, complex litigation at both the trial and appellate levels. Ms. Ransom defends a range of clients in patent infringement cases, including banks, a leading global payment and financial technology solutions provider, and some of the world’s largest technology companies. She was recognized as a top performing patent litigator in the U.S. by Patexia’...

Miles Clements is a recognized trial attorney having tried 100 cases to judgment. He practices at the trial and appellate levels in both state and federal court as well as in specialized jurisdictions throughout the country. His reputation spans from the marine and energy sector to defending the business and commercial needs of privately held and publicly traded companies. Miles is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the highest distinction of trial lawyers in the United States...

Rivers Lelong is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group and a member of the Jones Walker board of directors. He has a broad-ranging transactional practice representing clients across several industries. Rivers’ practice involves a variety of commercial transactions comprising secured finance, real estate, acquisitions and divestitures of privately held companies and their assets, and the negotiation of sophisticated commercial contracts. He is also general outside counsel to an inter...

Brandon T. Darden is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Oil and Gas Law. Brandon T., who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brandon T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ryan joined Sher Garner Cahill Richter Klein & Hilbert, L.L.C. in 2007 after practicing nearly two years in Jackson, Mississippi with Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes, PLLC. He received his Bachelor's degree magna cum laude in Political Science from the University of New Orleans where he received honors for graduating with the highest GPA in his graduation class. He also received his Juris Doctorate and Bachelor of Civil Law degree from Louisiana State University. Ryan is admitted to...

William H. Patrick, III concentrates his practice in corporate bankruptcy, corporate workouts, and financial restructuring, representing debtors, committees, trustees, equity investors, and other parties in interest. Billy has played major roles in the restructuring of casinos, utility companies, restaurant and fast food chains, hotels, television broadcast companies, orthodontic management companies, and resolving claims arising from asbestos, breast implants, nuclear radiation, and other ha...

Zoë Vermeulen advises businesses on labor and employment matters, commercial litigation, offshore energy, and admiralty and maritime law. Based in New Orleans, Louisiana, she represents employers across a range of industries and focuses on practical legal guidance that aligns with each client’s operational and business objectives while accounting for an evolving regulatory environment. As part of her Litigation – Labor and Employment practice at Kean Miller, Zoë works cl...

René E. Thorne is the Managing Shareholder and Litigation Manager of the New Orleans, Louisiana office of Jackson Lewis P.C. Her practice covers the full range of employee benefit litigation matters, including representation of employers, plans, plan fiduciaries, and trustees. In that regard, she has handled numerous ERISA class actions for clients such as Nortel Networks, Target, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Owens Healthcare, United Airlines ESOP Committee, Dunbar Armored, United Companies...