Kyle Schonekas

Mr. Lee is Chair of the firm's Commercial Litigation Practice Group. For the last 15 years, his practice has included a concentration in insurance and insurance class action lawsuits. He has experience in handling coverage issues, bad faith claims, mold claims, regulatory issues and class action claims with a myriad of substantial issues. Mr. Lee joined Stone Pigman, and was admitted to the Louisiana Bar, in 1974.

Asher Friend is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group and a member of the firm's M&A and private equity and corporate and securities and executive compensation teams. Asher focuses his practice in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, private equity, securities, and general corporate law. Asher has developed significant experience in the hospitality, healthcare, energy, and technology industries, including representing clients in myriad acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and...

Simeon Reimonenq, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance. Simeon, who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Simeon is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joseph P. Guichet is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance. Joseph, who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joseph is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Richard E. Sarver is a founding member of the law firm of Barrasso Usdin Kupperman Freeman & Sarver, L.L.C., a New Orleans litigation firm ranked among the top litigation firms in Louisiana. Rick has extensive jury trial experience, including trials in thirteen different states. He has served as lead trial attorney in more than 100 jury trials, including complex multidistrict litigation. Many of his trials have been in bet-the-company litigation, where he repeatedly has succeeded before j...

Bill Backstrom is a partner and leader of the firm’s Tax Practice Group. For more than 35 years, he has focused on state and local tax matters in Louisiana and on a multistate basis. Bill provides comprehensive, practical, and solution-focused tax guidance to a broad range of business enterprises. Known for the quality of his counsel, his commitment to client service, and his ability to explain sophisticated issues in clear terms — particularly with respect to Louisiana’s hi...

Ken Najder is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. He represents public and private companies regarding a variety of corporate and securities law matters. Ken concentrates his practice on corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital transactions, joint ventures, and corporate governance. Ken’s securities law practice includes counseling public companies regarding their disclosure obligations, private placements for venture-stage companies, and public debt offerings...

P. Christopher Bynog is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. P. Christopher, 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 P. Christopher is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lauren Mastio is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group and a member of the board of directors. She handles all aspects of litigation, with a focus on the energy and construction industries. Lauren advises and represents oil and gas industry clients on matters concerning property contamination and restoration; downhole issues; land loss and subsidence; the rights and obligations of parties to joint operating agreements, oil, gas, and mineral leases, surface leases, oil and gas asset purch...

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 ...