James E. Lapeze

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...

Commercial lending is the focus of Stephen "Steve" P. Strohschein's practice, providing assistance to lenders of all types – real estate, floor plan, asset based and small business – both with regard to litigating lending issues, handling workouts, foreclosures, collections and bankruptcy matters and also frequently providing assistance with lending transactions, structure and documentation. Steve has been certified by the American Board of Certification as a specialist in the are...

Benjamin P. Bucy has significant experience in complex litigation and has focused his practice on representing whistleblowers in qui tam cases under federal and state False Claims Acts. Ben has been involved in all phases of False Claims Act (FCA) cases, including case development, drafting FCA complaints, assisting the Government in sealed FCA investigations, litigating FCA cases and has secured millions of dollars in False Claims Act settlements. Most of Ben’s FCA experience has invol...

Suzette Marie Smith is a seasoned family law attorney with 36 years of experience guiding clients through divorce, child custody, support, spousal support, injunctions, and matrimonial agreements. A certified Family Law Specialist by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization, she is recognized as a Louisiana Family Law Super Lawyer and AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Discover more about Suzette’s practice here .

Jim Swanson represents state and local governments, corporations, and individuals in cases involving municipal finance, derivatives, CDOs, Ponzi schemes, corporate tax, coastal land loss, industrial and environmental accidents, and a range of other subject areas. Jim’s efforts are recorded in over 100 reported decisions. Jim is particularly known for his securities practice and has obtained multimillion-dollar judgments for his clients in jury and bench trials and commercial arbitration...

John's experience includes the trial of environmental, toxic tort, insurance and construction claims, along with the representation of architects, engineers, doctors and lawyers in the defense of malpractice claims. Prior to his practice, John was the manager of the New Orleans District of the Associated General Contractors of Louisiana.

Michael S. Williams is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Michael S., 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 Michael S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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,...

Joe Lowenthal is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group. He has extensive experience in the fields of healthcare, insurance coverage, contracts, and environmental and toxic torts. Joe provides broad-based advice and focused litigation counsel for a variety of clients. Leader of the firm’s healthcare team, his representative matters include litigation on behalf of a managed service organization in multiple federal and state district courts across the United States, with responsibilit...

Mary Ellen Roy practices in the area of commercial litigation. She represents media and advertising companies in pre-publication and pre-broadcast review, defamation defense, privacy law, courtroom access, public records and open meetings, reporter’s privilege, negligent misrepresentation, and other First Amendment issues. She also handles intellectual property law matters, including copyright and trademark counseling, litigation, registration, prosecution and proceedings before the U.S...