John R. "J. R." Whaley

David J. Shelby is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. David J., who practices law in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John Shirley practices in the area of business law, having represented public utilities before the Louisiana Public Service Commission for over twenty years. His practice consists of representing electric, gas, water and sewer utilities, motor carriers, telecommunications companies, and wind and other renewable energy companies before the Louisiana Public Service Commission. He also consults and lobbies elected public service commissioners, the Louisiana Bond Commission, executive staff and t...

Practicing law since 2012, Taylor Porter Partner Ryan French handles cases in a variety of areas, including commercial and complex litigation, corporate ownership fights, appellate practice, property right disputes, construction litigation, church property law, and white collar criminal defense. Ryan has been ranked by his peers for six consecutive years (2015-2020) among Louisiana Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” in Business Litigation, and also by Best Lawyers in America (2020-2021)...

Bob Schmidt joined Kean Miller in 2016 and is based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he focuses his practice on Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law and related tax matters. He has represented employers for more than 40 years, advising organizations of all sizes on the design, implementation, and ongoing operation of pension plans and other employee benefit arrangements. Earlier in his career, Bob served as an attorney-adviser with the United States Tax Court in Washington, DC. His practice includes...

A. Paul LeBlanc, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. A. Paul, who practices law in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which A. Paul is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Paul Guarisco practices in the areas of administrative law, business and finance, telecommunications, energy and utilities, and regulatory and governmental matters. He practices primarily before the Louisiana Public Service Commission, representing telecommunications and pipeline carriers, and electric, gas, sewer and water public utilities in all aspects of regulation, including certification, compliance, tariffs, litigation, hearings, audits, rate cases, rulemakings, dispute resolution/medi...

David is a member of Butler Snow’s Finance, Real Estate and Restructuring Group.

Drew Patty is a partner with Phelps Dunbar, LLP in the firm's Intellectual Property and Cybersecurity Groups. He also leads the firm's Artificial Intelligence Working Group. With 30 years of experience in a broad range of transactional intellectual property matters and related litigation, he also has a growing AI and data privacy practice. His chemical patent experience includes patent preparation and prosecution in the fields of oilfield proppants and other downhole chemicals, refinery catal...

Brad Boudreaux is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Construction. Brad, who practices law in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brad is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Charles Landry is a partner and member of Fishman Haygood’s Business Section. Charles concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate development, real estate finance, land use and zoning. He has represented numerous parties in a wide range of real estate transactions, which include residential developments (including Traditional Neighborhood Developments), office buildings, shopping malls and centers, hotels and medical facilities, golf course communities, and industrial developm...