Kelly Brechtel Becker

The founding member of the firm, Larry Pugh has been practicing law in New Orleans since 1986. A skilled trial lawyer, he has defended businesses and individuals in complex civil matters and class actions. He is trial counsel for clients involved in nationwide litigation and has tried cases in multiple jurisdictions, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Tennessee. He is a leading litigator in the areas of asbestos litigation, other toxic tort litigation, products liability and environm...

Mr. Orlansky concentrates his practice in the areas of business litigation, gaming law, and professional liability and ethics. He chairs the firm's Gaming Practice, is a member of the firm's Management Committee, and serves as the firm's loss prevention and ethics counsel. Mr. Orlansky joined Stone Pigman in 1984.

Nathan G. Huntwork is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Regulatory Law and Utilities Law. Nathan G., who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nathan G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Steve Herman is special counsel in Fishman Haygood’s Litigation Section. With thirty years of experience, Steve’s primary practice has lately focused on representing both plaintiffs and defendants in commercial, class action, and professional liability cases, and he is often asked to provide expert testimony in such matters. He recently, for example, submitted a series of declarations in support of class counsel’s successful fee petition in the multi-billion dollar Aqueous F...

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.

Amy Scafidel is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group and co-leads the finance team. Amy focuses her practice on commercial lending and financial transactions. Amy has significant experience representing borrowers and commercial banks in connection with a wide variety of commercial lending transactions, including structuring, negotiating, and documenting all types of senior, subordinated, secure, and unsecured syndicated financial and other lending transactions. She also has experience wi...

James R. Silverstein is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Admiralty and Maritime Law and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. James R., 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 James R. 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...

Richard Tyler is a partner on the Construction Team. He regularly serves as lead counsel in complex, high-stakes construction disputes. Rich joined Jones Walker in 1982 and is a former practice leader of the firm’s Construction Practice Group. Widely acknowledged as one of the nation’s top construction attorneys, over the past decade Rich has served as lead counsel in disputes involving more than $500 million in aggregate claim value across the country. He has received top ratings...

During law school, David was a member of the Law Review from 1985-1987 and served as Articles/Comments Editor from 1986-1987. He served as law clerk to the Honorable Louis M. Phillips, Judge for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Louisiana. David's practice has centered on bankruptcy law and commercial litigation. He has a comprehensive knowledge of the Bankruptcy Code and extensive experience in bankruptcy court litigation. He has successfully represented debtors, ...