M. Nan Alessandra

M. Nan Alessandra

New Orleans, LA recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2003
Phelps Dunbar LLP

201 Best Lawyers awards

Phelps Dunbar LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Employment Law - Management Litigation - Labor and Employment Mediation

Biography

Nan Alessandra represents employers in both the public and private sectors in the defense of discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims for age, gender, disability, race, religion, national origin, and other protected categories. Her litigation experience includes the defense of EEOC and other administrative charges filed through the various federal and state court agencies, as well as defense of legal claims filed at both the judicial level, as well as through the arbitration process. She has also represented clients on a wide variety of human resource issues and compliance issues and assists in developing appropriate policies and procedures, as well as provide onsite training to management and personnel on both employment related topics and corporate compliance issues. Ms. Alessandra’s experience for clients involves many different industries including financial institutions, educational institutions, public agencies, manufacturing companies, chemical companies and healthcare organizations.

Ms. Alessandra is a member of the American Arbitration Association’s Panel of Neutrals for employment related matters in both arbitration and mediation. She has participated in a wide range of mediations and arbitrations as a mediator, arbitrator and advocate. As part of her mediation and arbitration experience, she has mediated and arbitrated a wide variety of cases in the labor and employment arenas, with both single and multi-party claimants/respondents.

As part of her practice in the Employment and Labor arena, Ms. Alessandra has adjudicated cases at both the bench and jury trial levels. In this regard, Ms. Alessandra’s industry experience has varied dramatically and ranges in the gaming, restaurant, engineering, hospitality and academic areas in both the public and private sector. Ms. Alessandra has also represented executives in contractual disputes and has an active counseling/advisory practice involving all aspects of labor and employment in both federal and state administrative agencies, including defense of civil rights claims and constitutional challenges.

Ms. Alessandra serves as the Practice Coordinator for the firm's Labor and Employment Group in New Orleans. Prior to going into private practice, Ms. Alessandra was a judicial law clerk upon graduation from law school and was judicial extern for a federal judge while she was in her last year of law school.
Phelps Dunbar LLP

201 Best Lawyers awards

Phelps Dunbar LLP logo

Overview

  • English
  • French

  • Loyola University New Orleans, J.D., graduated 1985
  • University of New Orleans, BA, graduated 1982

  • Louisiana, Louisiana State Bar Association
  • Texas, State Bar of Texas

  • American Arbitration Association - Panel of Neutrals for Arbitration and Mediation
  • American Bar Association - Member, EEO Subcommittee
  • American Immigration Lawyers Association - Member
  • Bar Association of the Federal Fifth Circuit - Member
  • Federal Bar Association - Member
  • Jefferson Bar Association - Member
  • Louisiana Hospital Association - Member
  • Louisiana State Bar Association - Member
  • New Orleans Bar Association - Member
  • State Bar of Texas - Member
  • English
  • French
  • Louisiana, Louisiana State Bar Association
  • Texas, State Bar of Texas
  • American Arbitration Association - Panel of Neutrals for Arbitration and Mediation
  • American Bar Association - Member, EEO Subcommittee
  • American Immigration Lawyers Association - Member
  • Bar Association of the Federal Fifth Circuit - Member
  • Federal Bar Association - Member
  • Jefferson Bar Association - Member
  • Louisiana Hospital Association - Member
  • Louisiana State Bar Association - Member
  • New Orleans Bar Association - Member
  • State Bar of Texas - Member
  • Loyola University New Orleans, J.D., graduated 1985
  • University of New Orleans, BA, graduated 1982

Client Testimonials

Ms. Alessandra has the ability grasp the issues at hand and provide her client's a "no-nonsense" synopsis of what needs to be done and why. She is thorough in her investigations and research, and when she provides an evaluation of the facts, you can be confident there will be no surprises as you progress toward trial. She is an excellent litigator and her ability before a judge and jury is unequaled among her peers. She has the respect of the legal community, which adds to the value she offers a client she represents. Her practical knowledge of diverse working environments translates into an understanding of the root issues at hand and practical solutions to resolve them, as well as prevent them from occurring. She has assembled a very professional support staff and they work well together.

Mark Murret (RPM Pizza LLC dba Domino's Pizza)

Gulfport, MS

Nan is an exceptional employment lawyer. She brings a much-valued practical view to dealing with day-to-day employee issues. Nan is a problem-solver (one of the best compliments I could give to someone) and doesn't hesitate to take a stance on tough issues and advise what she would do if she were she in my shoes. Nan's very responsive, is a good listener, and communicates (both orally and in writing) to be understood. She's excellent in dealing with people, whether they sit on the federal bench or work in a manufacturing plant. Nan's a "go-to" lawyer, whom I count as an integral member of our legal team.

Barry LaCour (Laitram, L.L.C.)

Harahan, LA

Nan is experienced, easy to work with, and completely accessible whether by phone or email. Nan's communication is thorough, effective, and completely understandable to those of us outside the legal profession. Because of her depth of knowledge in employment law and human resource matters, Nan is able to address my questions and concerns immediately without hours of billable research. Nan's first concern has always been accurate, cost-effective information and the defense of our company.

Brenda Reid (Brice Building Company, Inc.)

Birmingham, AL

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Mediation
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Mediation, New Orleans (2021)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Employment Law - Management
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment
  • Mediation
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Arbitration
Special Focus:
  • Employment
  • Management
Awards:
  • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale Hubbell
  • Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business
  • The Best Lawyers in America
  • Louisiana Super Lawyers
  • New Orleans Magazine - Top Lawyers - Labor & Employment Law

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