John M. Duck

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...

Lon LeSueur’s multi-faceted practice focuses on complex and commercial litigation. He has deep litigation experience, having earned victories for his clients in state and federal courts in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, as well as various arbitration forums. Lon has successfully represented clients through all stages of litigation from case development and initial fillings, motion practice, discovery, trial, and appeal. Lon has first-chair trial experience, and his appellate work in...

Benjamin B. Saunders is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Railroad Law. Benjamin B., who practices law in Mandeville, Louisiana, has been recognized since 1997. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Benjamin B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Maureen Brennan Gershanik is a partner in Fishman Haygood’s Business Section. She practices primarily in the areas of corporate law and governance, securities law, and mergers and acquisitions. She also advises clients on ESG initiatives. Maureen has an active business transactional and advisory practice. She works with clients on public and private offerings of debt and equity securities, acquisition transactions, restructuring transactions, business separations, new business formation...

Howard L. Murphy joined Deutsch Kerrigan in 1980, after spending seven years as a broadcast journalist working as a news reporter for television stations in New Orleans, Louisiana and San Antonio, Texas. The skills he developed as a news reporter he has brought to the courtroom. Mr. Murphy engages in a diversified practice that includes the routine representation of clients in the areas of commercial transportation, casualty litigation, products liability with an emphasis on oil and gas equip...

Douglas S. Draper practices primarily in the creditor and debtor rights area. His practice involves an equal mix of litigation and business negotiation. The creditor and debtor rights work involves representation of bondholders, creditors’ committees and debtors in large commercial and business cases. Has represented clients in successful reorganizations of hotels, grocery chains, apartment complexes, office buildings, oil companies, shipyards, clothing stores, an oil refinery, and fast...

Mr. Sher is a business lawyer whose practice is concentrated in commercial real estate and business and finance law. He also practices in the areas of: commercial litigation, creditors' rights, workouts and foreclosures, commercial bankruptcy, disaster recovery, arbitration and mediation, secured finance and asset based lending. Along with his practice, Mr. Sher is actively involved with many professional and trade organizations, including the American College of Real Estate Lawyers, where he...

Kelly Theard is a construction lawyer representing general contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, program managers and material suppliers in a variety of construction related litigation including construction defect, design and professional liability, and third-party injury claims. She also assists her clients in contract negotiations and pre-claim disputes. Ms. Theard currently serves as the firm's Managing Partner as well as Head of the Construction Practice Group. While Ms. Th...

Michael F. Held is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Admiralty and Maritime Law. Michael F., who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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