Gerald A. "Jerry" Melchiode

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...

Jonathan S. Forester is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. Jonathan S. practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Jonathan S. Forester since 2022. 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 Jonathan S. Forester is held by other lawyers.

Dana Shelton has extensive experience handling contested regulatory matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Louisiana Public Service Commission, and appellate courts. Dana has handled numerous high-stakes matters that have garnered significant energy rate savings for the ratepayers she represents. She was an integral part of the legal team that successfully petitioned the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for an unprecedented electric energy cost equalization mechanism...

An attorney with Jones Walker for more than 40 years, David Edwards is a partner in the Tax Practice Group who focuses on estate planning and administration. David advises individual clients on wealth transfer at minimum tax cost, in addition to providing traditional estate planning counsel in areas of wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. He also advises clients on marriage contracts and other aspects of property obligations stemming from marriage. David’s practice includes the admini...

Lea Ann is a member of our Products, Catastrophic and Industrial Litigation group. Her litigation practice covers a wide range of personal injury and products liability litigation. She represents clients in various industries, including product manufacturers, chemical suppliers, oil and gas companies, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, trucking companies, industrial machinery and recreational vehicles.

Luke Falgoust is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group and a member of the finance team. Luke’s practice focuses on the representation of borrowers, financial institutions, private equity firms, and sponsors in connection with capital markets transactions, including secured and unsecured syndicated credit facilities, bilateral loan facilities, cash flow and asset-based finance transactions, acquisition and working capital facilities, note offerings, vessel construction and permanent...

Dan practices in the area of construction litigation with a focus on construction and surety litigation. He represents general contractors, major subcontractors, sureties, public and private owners, and wireless telecommunications carriers and owners of telecommunications infrastructure. Dan also serves nationwide as a construction mediator and as a construction arbitrator through Perry Dampf, and arbitrations only through the American Arbitration Association. Outside of the courtroom, Dan re...

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...

Lindsey H. Chopin is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law and Employment Law - Management. Lindsey H. practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Lindsey H. Chopin since 2025. 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 Lindsey H. Chopin is held by other lawyers.

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...