Edward N. "Ted" George

Rick Shelby is a partner in the firm's Bankruptcy and Business Reorganization practice. He combines 15 years of industry experience as a corporate engineer with elite legal acumen to advise clients on complex bankruptcy, corporate restructuring, and oil-and-gas litigation matters. This background provides him with a unique insider perspective on the commercial realities facing energy and industrial sectors. A seasoned advocate, Rick guides debtors, creditors, and trustees through high-stakes ...

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...

David J. Topping is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law. David J., 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 David J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Grady Hurley is a partner in and co-leader of the maritime litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution team and co-chair of the Energy, Environmental & Natural Resources Industry Team. Since 1979, he has focused on maritime, oilfield, and energy litigation. Grady has broad-ranging dispute resolution and transactional experience at the intersection of energy and maritime law, including in areas such as offshore energy exploration, production, and distribution, where a range of complex ...

Kaja Elmer represents businesses, investors, borrowers, trustees, and receivers in a wide range of commercial matters in state and federal courts. Her practice includes commercial disputes, securities fraud actions, and bankruptcy-related litigation, with experience handling claims involving statutory violations, breach of contract, misrepresentation, and breach of fiduciary duty. Kaja also has significant experience in class action litigation. She served as counsel to a nationwide class of s...

Gregory LaCour is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Gregory, who practices law in Metairie, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gregory is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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.

John T. Balhoff, II, a member of the firm, was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1971. He attended college at the University of Notre Dame and graduated from there, cum laude, in 1993, receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance. Mr. Balhoff received his Juris Doctor degree from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University in 1996. Mr. Balhoff presently is admitted to the Louisiana Bar and he also is admitted to practice before all United States District C...

Clyde is a native of Norfolk, Virginia, and a Director in the firm’s labor relations and employment practice. His experience spans over 30 years, working exclusively in the field of labor relations and employment. Clyde has represented employers throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Norway, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Nigeria. He speaks regularly to employers and associations nationwide, trains managers on the fundamentals of employee relations, and advises companies...

Valerie E. Fontenot is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law and Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Valerie E., 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 Valerie E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.