Matthew A. "Matt" Woolf

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...

Mr. Masinter's practice focuses on contentious, complex litigation while concentrating primarily in the areas of business litigation, and securities litigation and arbitration. He also handles cases involving corporate disputes, breach of contract claims and unfair trade practices. Mr. Masinter is Chair of the firm's Litigation Section and Co-Chair of the Securities Practice Group. He joined Stone Pigman in 1990.

Etienne Balart is a partner in the Maritime and Litigation practice groups, in the Construction Industry Team, and co-leads the firm's Latin America working group. He provides transactional and litigation counsel to clients in the energy and maritime industries. Etienne helps clients identify and quantify financial, compliance, and other risks associated with disputes and litigated matters, negotiate, and, where necessary, bring to trial commercial and other disputes. Relying upon this deep e...

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 ...

Raymond G. Areaux is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Technology Law and Trademark Law. Raymond G. practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Raymond G. Areaux since 2016. 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 Raymond G. A...

Joseph P. Guichet is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance. Joseph practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Joseph P. Guichet 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 Joseph P. Guichet is held by other lawyers.

Leading Maritime Injury Advocate Ian Taylor is a trusted advocate for individuals injured at sea, recognized for his skill in complex maritime, products liability, and civil litigation cases. As a member of Lewis, Kullman, Sterbcow & Abramson, LLC, he was appointed by a federal judge to the Executive Committee overseeing litigation from the 2021 SEACOR POWER maritime disaster and has played a key role in securing multi-million-dollar recoveries for clients in the BP oil spill and other ma...

Jane Heidingsfelder is a partner in the Labor & Employment Practice Group. In addition to her traditional employment practice, she has extensive experience representing clients in a wide array of industries before the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA), and the Chemical Safety Board (CSB). Jane is also experienced in leading confidential, internal investigations relating to alleged workplace misconduct, sexual harassment,...

Hirschel Abbott concentrates his practice in estate planning, closely held businesses and entity selection, fiduciary litigation, charitable planning, and tax-exempt organizations. He currently serves as a co-chair of the firm’s Tax, Trusts and Estates Practice Group. As a Board-Certified Tax Law Specialist and a Certified Public Accountant, Hirschel counsels businesses and other high net worth individuals and families on matters related to property, tax, and estate planning. He also ad...

Alicia Bendana focuses her national practice on complex bankruptcy and commercial litigation, representing trustees, debtors, creditors, creditors’ committees, receivers, and liquidators in high-stakes matters involving officer and director liability, professional negligence, fraud, RICO, fraudulent transfers, and business dissolutions. A Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Alicia is also board certified in business bankruptcy law by both the American Board of Certification and by the Louis...