Christopher Williams

Steve Herman is special counsel in Fishman Haygood’s Litigation Section. With thirty years of experience, Steve’s primary practice has lately focused on representing both plaintiffs and defendants in commercial, class action, and professional liability cases, and he is often asked to provide expert testimony in such matters. He recently, for example, submitted a series of declarations in support of class counsel’s successful fee petition in the multi-billion dollar Aqueous F...

Doug Kleeman practices in the area of insurance and reinsurance. He counsels clients, manages disputes and tries cases involving a variety of first- and third-party insurance coverage issues. Prior to joining Phelps Dunbar, Doug practiced in the areas of insurance coverage and litigation at Bienvenu, Foster, Ryan & O’Bannon, LLC in New Orleans.

Pablo Gonzalez guides clients through the complex, evolving issues involving insurance coverage for cybersecurity events. In addition to litigation and mediation, he conducts working reviews of policy language and develops innovative, cost-effective systems to help insurers, reinsurers and syndicates monitor claims. Pablo leads the firm’s cyber coverage and monitoring team as well as the New Orleans insurance and reinsurance practice. He is a frequent speaker and writer on cyber insuran...

Michael C. Drew is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Construction Law. Michael C., who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John W. Martinez is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. John W., who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Will Bishop represents clients in a broad range of transactional matters, including mergers and acquisitions, capital market transactions, restructurings and joint ventures. He also advises public and private companies on securities compliance and anti-trust matters. Will has led transactions across a variety of industries, including energy, solar, telecommunications, online retail, maritime and financial services. Over Will's career, he has developed a particular emphasis on representing eme...

Susan Santa Cruz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law and Real Estate Law. Susan, who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Susan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Richard Cozad is a partner in SBSB’s New Orleans office with more than 45 years of experience in private law practice. A member of the firm since August 2018, he has focused his years of practice primarily on admiralty, marine insurance and environmental law. Richard received his bachelor’s degree from Loyola University before going on to earn his law degree from Tulane University. Following graduation, he served as a law clerk for the Honorable Nauman Scott, former Chief Judge of...

As a degreed engineer, Keith J. Bergeron realizes that it gives his construction clients a sense of security to know they share similar backgrounds and that he understands their type of work. Receiving a lawsuit brought against you brings the stigma that something went wrong, but sometimes that is not a true statement. Keith investigates claims and defends his clients in all aspects of construction and construction surety law. He devotes special attention to architectural and engineering defe...

Curt Hearn is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. Curt served as co-leader of the Corporate Practice Group for more than 20 years, stepping down at the end of 2022. Drawing on his extensive experience and knowledge of what works — and what doesn’t — he works with firm clients to solve their most challenging, complex business and legal challenges. Curt advises private equity and venture capital firms, as well as publicly traded and privately held companies, working wit...