James R. Nieset, Jr.

Mark Mallery is the Managing Shareholder of the firm’s office in New Orleans, where he has practiced labor and employment law for over twenty-five years. A problem-solver for employers, Mark has acted as lead counsel on complex disputes, including Sarbanes-Oxley whistleblower claims before the Office of Administrative Law Judges; pattern and practice and class based claims prosecuted by the EEOC; collective actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act; and class-based discrimination claim...

Brett Venn is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group. He focuses on business and commercial disputes. Brett represents energy clients in litigation concerning energy infrastructure, including pipelines and LNG facilities. He currently represents energy companies in tort actions, challenges to contracts, actions enforcing right of way and servitude agreements, and appeals of severance tax assessments. He has also represented energy-industry clients in contract disputes, shareholder dispute...

Amelia L. Hurt is an associate in the firm’s Bankruptcy and Business Reorganization section. Her practice focuses on bankruptcy and bankruptcy litigation, where she represents debtors, debtors-in-possession, creditors, and trustees in Chapter 11 cases throughout the country. Ms. Hurt also handles bankruptcy-related litigation matters and appellate work, including cases before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Ms. Hurt’s legal expertise includes prosecuting and defending preferen...

Dirk Wegmann is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group. He focuses on commercial civil litigation. Drawing on his more than 30 years of litigation experience, Dirk provides effective representation to clients in federal courts, state courts, and arbitration. He has substantial experience providing counsel regarding disputes and litigation in the areas of insurance coverage, tax, breach of contract, injunctions, fraud, unfair competition, landlord/tenant, construction, trusts and estates, ...

Bill Riviere practices in the areas of collision, maritime personal injury, terminal/installation damage, pollution, fire, salvage, maritime lien matters, oilfield indemnity and insurance coverage disputes, and appellate matters. He represents maritime employers, vessel owners, energy interests and their underwriters in personal injury defense litigation, including Jones Act and Longshore and Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act claims, and represents vessel owners, operators, dock and term...

Pat Vance is a partner in and leader of the Litigation Practice Group. He focuses on business litigation, debtors' and creditors’ rights litigation, and business bankruptcy. Pat has the distinction of being one of the few lawyers who is both a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy. He is also a life member of the American Law Institute and a member of the National Bankruptcy Conference. As a trial attorney, Pat has handled mor...

Joseph Lassalle is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Joseph practices law in Metairie, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Joseph Lassalle 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 Joseph Lassalle is held by other lawyers.

John B. Esnard III is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Litigation - Construction and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. John B. practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized John B. Esnard III 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 John B. E...

Mr. Holmes has more than 25 years of experience as a business lawyer, representing clients in arbitration and litigation as well as handling transactional matters. He also represents franchisors with respect to disclosure, relationship and termination issues. Mr. Holmes also helps clients in the matters of business organization, contracts, directors’ and officers’ liability, bankruptcy and intellectual property as well as trusts and estates. Mr. Holmes is an Eagle Scout and remain...

Neal J. Kling, a Member of the firm, received his undergraduate degree in Business and Public Administration from Louisiana State University and his law degree from Louisiana State University Law Center where he graduated Order of the Coif and was a member of the Louisiana Law Review. He represents clients in the areas of secured financing transactions, real estate transactions, real property and personal property leasing, maritime construction and finance and other commercial transactions. M...