Lisa Merz Hedrick

David K. Smith is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Admiralty and Maritime Law. David K. practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized David K. Smith 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 David K. Smith is held by other lawyers.

Seth Levine is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group and co-chair of the Industrial, Petrochemical & Advanced Manufacturing Industry Team. Seth has a wide-ranging practice primarily focused on the petrochemical and energy industry and has extensive experience in project infrastructure financing, land acquisitions, servitude acquisitions, mineral issues, title and surveys, and all other real estate matters, including all aspects of commercial and industrial real estate development, dil...

S. Frazer Rankin focuses on commercial real estate transactions and development, estate planning, trusts, successions, corporate and commercial law, oil-and-gas law, and employment law. Frazer was born in Montgomery, Alabama. He attended Tulane University and received his Bachelor of Arts in 1969. Graduating from Tulane University Law School in 1972 with his Juris Doctor, he was admitted to the bar in 1973. Frazer has extensive experience in the representation of major landowners, and in iden...

Jaye Calhoun draws on decades of experience and a thorough understanding of federal, state, and local taxation to represent and counsel clients facing tax compliance, litigation, and controversy matters. She is Board Certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization in Tax Law and Estate Planning and was profiled as “The Problem Solver” in a 2012 article in Louisiana Super Lawyers . Her practice focuses on Litigation and Controversy – Tax and Tax Law, with an emphasis...

Dana Shelton has extensive experience handling contested regulatory matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Louisiana Public Service Commission, and appellate courts. Dana has handled numerous high-stakes matters that have garnered significant energy rate savings for the ratepayers she represents. She was an integral part of the legal team that successfully petitioned the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for an unprecedented electric energy cost equalization mechanism...

Jennifer L. Thornton is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation and Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs. Jennifer L. practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Jennifer L. Thornton since 2022. 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 Jennifer L. Thornton is held ...

H.S. Bartlett III (“Tad”), who leads the firm’s Appellate Practice, focuses on appellate advocacy and brings deep experience across state and federal courts nationwide. An Appellate Practice Specialist certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization , he serves as the 2026-2027 Secretary of the LBLS Appellate Practice Advisory Commission . Tad has built a nationally recognized appellate practice, representing clients in all Louisiana state courts, multiple federal c...

Ed Harold is the regional managing partner in the New Orleans office and chair of the firm's Retail Industry Practice Group. His practice is primarily devoted to employment litigation in both state and federal courts in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama and counseling employers to avoid litigation. Throughout his career, he has spent significant time and attention assisting employers in managing employee attendance and leave issues. As a result of this work, in 1999, Ed testified before the...

Wayne Zeringue, a partner in the Maritime Practice Group and Energy, Environmental, and Natural Resources Industry Team, represents marine and energy clients in a broad range of litigation and transactions. Wayne has more than 30 years of experience in admiralty and maritime, oil and gas, construction, products liability, and environmental litigation. He represents oil companies, exploration and production companies, builders, owners, barge lines, towing companies, marine fabricators, shipyar...

Tyler Rench is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group. He focuses on fiduciary, insurance, and banking disputes. Tyler has broad-based experience representing clients in federal and state courts, as well as in administrative proceedings and alternative dispute resolution. He represents and advises clients in connection with succession and trust litigation; disputes over life, health, and disability insurance; banking and commercial issues; and class action and civil RICO litigation. Befor...