Gerald A. "Jerry" Melchiode

Stewart focuses on bankruptcy, restructuring, and creditors’ rights; admiralty and maritime; marine finance and vessel documentation; asset-based finance; litigation, corporate and commercial law; and oil and gas. Stewart has been practicing law in New Orleans for more than 38 years. He is a 1974 graduate of Kenyon College, magna cum laude , where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He graduated top in his class in 1977 from Tulane Law School where he was elected to the Order of the Coif...

Jaye Calhoun draws on decades of experience and a thorough understanding of federal, state, and local taxation to represent and counsel clients facing tax compliance, litigation, and controversy matters. She is Board Certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization in Tax Law and Estate Planning and was profiled as “The Problem Solver” in a 2012 article in Louisiana Super Lawyers . Her practice focuses on Litigation and Controversy – Tax and Tax Law, with an emphasis...

Stephen R. Klaffky focuses his practice in the areas of commercial litigation, environmental litigation, insurance coverage and bad faith, and securities litigation and regulation. Stephen has represented financial institutions, investors, manufacturers, and employers through trial and on appeal. As lead counsel, he has successfully defended clients against allegations involving fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, lender liability, employment discrimination, and wrongful termination. He has also...

Tim Scott is a partner in the firm's New Orleans office. His practice emphasizes employment litigation, particularly the defense of harassment and discrimination claims. Tim has successfully handled a number of jury trials as well as cases before the courts of appeals. Tim also advises employers on a day-to-day basis on issues relating to compliance with the various state and federal laws applicable to employers. Finally, Tim handles traditional labor law matters before the National Labor Rel...

Benjamin B. Saunders is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Railroad Law. Benjamin B. practices law in Mandeville, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Benjamin B. Saunders since 1997. 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 Benjamin B. Saunders is held by other lawyers.

Charles E. Lavis, Jr . is the founder and managing shareholder of Lavis Law Firm - Personal Injury & Accident Attorney, APLC . A New Orleans native, he opened his first law office in 1995 and has spent three decades representing injured workers, accident victims, consumers, and homeowners against insurance companies and corporate defendants. Charles earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University in 1987 and his Juris Doctor from Loyola University New Orl...

Jane Heidingsfelder is a partner in the Labor & Employment Practice Group. In addition to her traditional employment practice, she has extensive experience representing clients in a wide array of industries before the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA), and the Chemical Safety Board (CSB). Jane is also experienced in leading confidential, internal investigations relating to alleged workplace misconduct, sexual harassment,...

Michael S. Blackwell is Of Counsel with Riess LeMieux, L.L.C.. Michael represents a variety of clients, ranging from general contractors, subcontractors, owners, developers, insurers, and sureties in construction and labor issues, to companies involved in sales, acquisitions, corporate governance matters, commercial disputes, and other challenges arising in the commercial arena. He has engaged in significant contract negotiation, corporate formation, structuring, and governance matters, sales...

Milele St. Julien is a Special Partner at Pugh Accardo. Her practice primarily focuses on toxic tort litigation, premises liability, product liability, collections and sequestrations, and general civil litigation. Milele began her legal career as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Lloyd J. Medley, Jr. (retired) of the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans. Subsequently, she concentrated her practice in the areas of toxic tort, environmental litigation, premises liability, and prod...

Lee Adler practices primarily in the areas of general business relationships and finance. He has an extensive transactional-based practice representing clients in a wide variety of fields. Finance transactions include real estate finance, vessel finance, accounts receivable-based finance and equipment and inventory finance, representing both borrowers and lenders. Prior to joining Phelps in 1992, Mr. Adler was an attorney at a large multi-practice firm in New York.