J. Christopher "Chris" Zainey, Jr.

Rodger focuses on maritime and oilfield transactions and litigation. This includes insurance coverage, marine finance and vessel documentation, litigation, corporate and commercial law, and international transaction primarily in Latin America. Rodger was born in Durham, North Carolina. His educational background includes: Phillips Academy (Andover), 1968; an undergraduate degree from Stanford University, 1972; a Masters in Business Administration from Columbia University, 1977; and a Juris Do...

Frank A. Tessier is a founding member of the firm who practices real estate, banking, corporate and oil and gas law. Banking and Finance: Represent lenders in commercial, construction, bond and equipment financing, and debt enforcement. Corporate: Preparation of organizational documents for corporation, partnerships and limited liability companies and related acquisitions. Real Estate: Representation in sales and exchanges of developed and undeveloped real estate; leases; residential subdivis...

Gary Hemphill practices in the areas of admiralty litigation. His practice involves matters in personal injury, cargo, oil and energy, finance and FD&D. Prior to joining Phelps Dunbar, Mr. Hemphill was with the Terriberry, Carroll, & Yancey, L.L.P. law firm in New Orleans.

Lesli D. Harris focuses her practice primarily on intellectual property, sports and entertainment law, and emerging companies. She has also successfully handled class action defense and general business litigation. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Harris was a partner at Stone Pigman Walther Wittman in New Orleans, Louisiana, and was formerly Chief of Staff and Executive Counsel to the President at Loyola University. Ms. Harris received her LL.M in Trade Regulation, with a concentration in Inte...

Will Baldwin is co-leader of the firm’s Maritime Industry Group and leader of the firm’s maritime transactional team, where he focuses on maritime transactions and marine finance. Will also serves as co-chair of the firm’s offshore wind initiative. Will advises and represents clients on a wide range of complex marine transactional matters, including financings, ship mortgages, the purchase and sale of marine assets, Jones Act compliance, and governmental approval for maritim...

Susan M. Tyler is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. She has more than thirty years of experience in commercial real estate and development, commercial lending, commercial leasing, and title examination. Susan represents developers, owners, lenders, and other business clients in a diverse range of commercial real estate projects across a broad array of asset categories. She has advised clients in construction projects; mixed-use commercial, hospitality, hotel, multi-family, and condom...

Darryl primarily practices in areas of toxic tort and environmental law, representing defendants in asbestos litigation in Louisiana and other states. He also practices general insurance defense, particularly first party claims for disability and life insurance benefits. Darryl has successfully obtained multiple defense jury verdicts in favor of Monsanto, including a six week jury trial involving six plaintiffs claiming asbestos related disease from working in a paper mill, and a trial of nei...

Rebecca Wilmore joined Blue Williams in 2017 and is a partner in the Metairie office. Her practice focuses primarily on medical malpractice defense and healthcare law. Ms. Wilmore earned a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia, minoring in political science and graduating cum laude in 2001. She obtained her Juris Doctorate and Bachelor of Civil Law degree in 2004 from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University, where she served as a member of the Moo...

Philip D. Nizialek is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Insurance Law. Philip D., who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Philip D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Heather Angelico quickly and efficiently evaluates claims and related legal issues to assist clients in deciding whether matters should be resolved early or taken through trial. She focuses her practice on the Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act and Defense Base Act and has extensive experience defending employers and carriers under the Longshore & Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, Non-appropriated Fund Instrumentalities Act, the Louisiana State Workers’ Compensa...