James R. Nieset, Jr.

M. H. Gertler is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. M. H., who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2012. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which M. H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Grady Hurley is a partner in and co-leader of the maritime litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution team and co-chair of the Energy, Environmental & Natural Resources Industry Team. Since 1979, he has focused on maritime, oilfield, and energy litigation. Grady has broad-ranging dispute resolution and transactional experience at the intersection of energy and maritime law, including in areas such as offshore energy exploration, production, and distribution, where a range of complex ...

Doug Kleeman practices in the area of insurance and reinsurance. He counsels clients, manages disputes and tries cases involving a variety of first- and third-party insurance coverage issues. Prior to joining Phelps Dunbar, Doug practiced in the areas of insurance coverage and litigation at Bienvenu, Foster, Ryan & O’Bannon, LLC in New Orleans.

Kenneth L. Ross is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance. Kenneth L., who practices law in Hammond, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kenneth L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mark Fijman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Mark, who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mark is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kerry Miller is a partner in Fishman Haygood’s Litigation Section. Kerry has the distinction of trying both the longest civil and criminal trials in the history of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. As jury trials resumed following pandemic related delays, Kerry tried the first civil jury trial in federal court in Louisiana and in Miami-Dade County in state court. Since June 2021, Kerry has tried several jury trials and participated in a large arbitr...

Lauren Mastio is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group and a member of the board of directors. She handles all aspects of litigation, with a focus on the energy and construction industries. Lauren advises and represents oil and gas industry clients on matters concerning property contamination and restoration; downhole issues; land loss and subsidence; the rights and obligations of parties to joint operating agreements, oil, gas, and mineral leases, surface leases, oil and gas asset purch...

Chad P. Morrow is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Finance Law and Real Estate Law. Chad P., 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 Chad P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Chris Friend is a partner in the Litigation Practice group. He represents oil and gas and chemical companies in commercial and class action disputes, regulatory investigations, and law-enforcement actions. Chris represents upstream and midstream oil and gas companies, chemical companies, service providers, and contractors across the country in all aspects of regulation and litigation, including property damage, accidents, and insurance claims, toxic tort and bodily injury claims, environmenta...

George J. Fowler, III, is a partner in the Maritime Practice Group, where he focuses on litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution. George Fowler is an internationally recognized trial lawyer known for his successful record trying hundreds of cases to juries and judges, including numerous high-profile matters, complex litigation, and cases of national concern. George has written and lectured extensively on private international law and world trade and is active in promoting trade and inv...