Kevin Amezquita

Kelly Duncan is a partner in the Maritime Practice Group. He serves currently as co-chair of the firm’s Gaming Industry Team and served on Jones Walker’s board of directors from 2006 to 2014. Kelly has 40 years of experience handling admiralty, maritime, and international and customs law matters, including domestic and international matters relating to marine acquisitions, financings, vessel construction, regulatory issues, maritime lien enforcement and foreclosures, contracts of ...

Tim Brechtel is a partner in the Tax Practice Group. He counsels employers on tax and ERISA compliance issues relating to employee retirement, health, welfare, compensation, and other plans. Tim advises clients ranging from sole proprietorships to large, multinational corporations on establishing, administering, merging, and terminating qualified defined-contribution and defined-benefit retirement plans — such as 401(k) plans and employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) — and nonqua...

Ashley Demouy's practice focuses on transportation, trucking, and insurance defense. Ashley was recognized in 2027 by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Her. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ashley is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. Ashley believes that success comes from the ability to learn, grow, listen, and be humble, yet remain firm. &l...

Melissa Harris is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Commercial Litigation. Melissa practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Melissa Harris since 2025. 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 Melissa Harris is held by other lawyers.

Victoria Davies is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. She represents a broad range of companies, from large, multinational corporations to private, closely-held businesses doing business in a variety of industries, including construction, mining, and energy, on capital projects and day-to-day commercial transactions. Victoria’s experience includes drafting and negotiating construction agreements, design-build agreements, engineering procurement and construction (EPC) agreements,...

McGready Richeson joined the firm in 2017 and is a Member of the Firm; he is primarily engaged in environmental litigation, toxic torts, products liability, and business litigation. A skilled litigator, McGready has tried numerous cases throughout the States of Louisiana and Texas for nearly 25 years, and he is admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western District of Louisiana, and all c...

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.

Carl Hellmers is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Carl practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Carl Hellmers 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 Carl Hellmers is held by other lawyers.

Britton Seal is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group and co-leader of the mergers and acquisitions and private equity team. With broad knowledge of corporate and securities law, Britt represents clients in connection with mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures; private equity transactions; business entity formation, counseling, and capitalization; joint ventures; and public and private company securities compliance. He has worked with a wide range of US and non-US individuals and public...

Pauline Hardin is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group. She focuses on criminal litigation as well as business, commercial, and labor disputes. Pauline has tried more than 150 jury trials across the spectrum of criminal and commercial litigation. She routinely handles bet-the-company and high-stakes matters, and also draws on her experience to help clients facing grand jury investigations by avoiding prosecution, or when facing criminal charges, by negotiating plea agreements or going t...