Dean A. Sutherland

Shaun P. McFall’s practice focuses on complex litigation matters. His experience includes antitrust actions, bankruptcy litigation, class actions, complex commercial disputes, products liability, securities litigation and toxic tort matters. Additionally, Shaun has experience representing financial institutions during investigations by regulatory authorities including the SEC and FINRA. Most recently, Shaun participated in a multiweek jury trial in defense of a medical device manufactur...

Bill Backstrom is a partner and leader of the firm’s Tax Practice Group. For more than 35 years, he has focused on state and local tax matters in Louisiana and on a multistate basis. Bill provides comprehensive, practical, and solution-focused tax guidance to a broad range of business enterprises. Known for the quality of his counsel, his commitment to client service, and his ability to explain sophisticated issues in clear terms — particularly with respect to Louisiana’s hi...

Melissa Harris is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Melissa, 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 Melissa is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James A. Prather has over 30 years of experience representing clients in complex litigation, focusing on insurance defense, casualty claims, professional liability, and commercial disputes. He has tried cases in state and federal courts and is known for his thorough preparation and commitment to client goals. Learn more about James’s extensive trial and litigation experience at: gallowaylawfirm.com

Peter S. Title practices in real estate, bankruptcy and commercial law. He is a graduate of Columbia University and of the Tulane University School of Law. At Tulane, he served on the Board of Editors of the Tulane Law Review, where he was Articles Editor in 1974-75, and received the Rittenberg-Weinstein Award for excellence in legal writing. He is a member of the Order of the Coif and of the Federal, American, Louisiana State and New Orleans Bar Associations. He has served as chairman of Tru...

Joseph P. Guichet is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law. Joseph, 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 Joseph is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Suzette Marie Smith is a seasoned family law attorney with 36 years of experience guiding clients through divorce, child custody, support, spousal support, injunctions, and matrimonial agreements. A certified Family Law Specialist by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization, she is recognized as a Louisiana Family Law Super Lawyer and AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Discover more about Suzette’s practice here .

Ruddy Ramelli is a partner in the Tax Practice Group. Ruddy has been practicing tax law for more than 30 years and is a board-certified tax specialist as certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization. He focuses his practice on federal and state income tax issues and the tax structuring and consequences of mergers, acquisitions, and related transactions. Ruddy regularly represents corporations, partnerships, individuals, and other for-profit entities, and has in-depth experience in...

Mark A. Cunningham is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group and co-team leader of the corporate compliance and white collar defense team. Mark provides strategic advice to clients on competition and trade issues related to the structuring of national and global distribution networks, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, and intellectual property protection. Mark also serves as first-chair trial counsel for companies and individuals under law enforcement scrutiny or facing bet-the-co...

Ms. Talley is Co-Chair of the firm's Real Estate Practice Group. Her practice includes all aspects of real estate development, financing, leasing, purchase and sales. Ms. Talley has been involved in many of the major commercial real estate developments in Louisiana. She joined Stone Pigman in 1981.