J. Gregg Collins

Jeff Tillery is a partner in the Maritime Practice Group and co-leader of the maritime litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution team. He helps maritime and marine industry clients prevent and resolve a broad range of disputes. For more than 35 years, Jeff has advised and represented clients in maritime personal injury and collision matters, commercial litigation, longshore matters, and marine insurance coverage disputes, and has tried, as lead counsel, complex marine multi-party casual...

Valerie E. Fontenot is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Health Care Law and Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Valerie E. practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Valerie E. Fontenot since 2023. 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 Valerie E. Fontenot is held by other lawyers.

Charles Seemann’s practice emphasizes ERISA and employment law, but also encompasses a variety of commercial matters. His practice includes the defense of ERISA plans and plan fiduciaries at both public and private companies, multi-employer plans and plan fiduciaries, and financial institutions providing services to ERISA plans. In addition to ERISA matters, Charles has recent and substantial experience in wide range of matters, including stock-option and executive-compensation disputes...

Sarah Dicharry is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Energy Law. Sarah practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Sarah Dicharry since 2026. 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 Sarah Dicharry is held by other lawyers.

David F. Waguespack is a partner in the Firm, practicing in bankruptcy, commercial litigation, creditor’s rights, and gaming law. He has represented lenders, debtors, creditor committees, and other parties in complex Chapter 11 reorganizations and related litigation and has served as a Chapter 11 trustee. Mr. Waguespack regularly represents investors acquiring property in and out of bankruptcy. He has handled litigation relating to liens, real estate, construction, shareholder’s r...

John Werner is the Managing Partner of Fishman Haygood. John works in the firm’s Business Section, primarily on financings, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, and general corporate advice. In private equity, John represents Black Bay Energy Capital, Jefferson Capital Partners, and Enhanced Capital Partners in their investments in various portfolio companies. He also represents numerous private equity funded portfolio companies in their ongoing corporate nee...

Edward B. Poitevent II is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Energy Law, Energy Regulatory Law and Oil and Gas Law. Edward B. practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Edward B. Poitevent II since 2007. 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 Edward B. Poitevent II is held by other lawyers.

Michael F. Held is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Admiralty and Maritime Law. Michael F. practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Michael F. Held since 2026. 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 Michael F. Held is held by other lawyers.

Tracy Kern is a partner in the Labor & Employment Practice Group. Her practice covers the spectrum of employment litigation. Tracy represents clients in myriad matters, including state and federal claims, and individual and class action suits. She has handled cases involving claims of race, age, disability, national origin, and sex discrimination, as well as sexual harassment, retaliatory discharge, FMLA, FLSA, and noncompete/restrictive covenant issues. Her experience includes successful...

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.