Matthew J. Averill

Jay Adams is a partner in the Tax Practice Group and leader of the state and local tax team. Through partnering with his clients, Jay has developed a broad knowledge of the energy, manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, and retail industries that allows him to provide comprehensive and cost-effective advice in those areas. For more than 25 years, Jay has represented clients in matters involving virtually every type of state and local tax and in numerous jurisdictions. He has successfully ...

Joseph Lassalle is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Joseph practices law in Metairie, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Joseph Lassalle 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 Joseph Lassalle is held by other lawyers.

Barbara Arras represents defendants in toxic tort litigation primarily involving pulmonary diseases allegedly caused by asbestos and other pulmonary irritants and hematopoietic diseases allegedly caused by benzene. She is responsible for the medical defense in each case. Specifically, she analyzes the facts to formulate a theory of defense and identifies the correct scientific discipline needed to advance that theory. She then identifies and retains the best expert in that discipline from her...

Martha Young Curtis is a member (partner) of Sher Garner Cahill Richter Klein & Hilbert, L.L.C. Ms. Curtis was one of the founding members of Sher Garner law firm when it opened its doors in January, 1999. It has since grown into one of the top New Orleans law firms with over 40 attorneys and more than 80 employees. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree,summa cum laude, from Vanderbilt University and her Juris doctorate, summa cum laude, from Tulane Law School where she served as Senior ...

Luke Falgoust is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group and a member of the finance team. Luke’s practice focuses on the representation of borrowers, financial institutions, private equity firms, and sponsors in connection with capital markets transactions, including secured and unsecured syndicated credit facilities, bilateral loan facilities, cash flow and asset-based finance transactions, acquisition and working capital facilities, note offerings, vessel construction and permanent...

Layne Hilton is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Layne practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Layne Hilton since 2027. 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 Layne Hilton is held by other lawyers.

Ms. Gillen is a partner in the Metairie office and has been with the firm since 2013. Her practice consists primarily of environmental and toxic tort litigation and commercial litigation. Ms. Gillen graduated from Tulane University in 2010, where she received her BA degree in sociology, cum laude . In 2013, she was awarded a JD, magna cum laude , from Loyola University College of Law in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was also recognized as a William L. Crowe, Sr. Scholar for graduating in the to...

Scott Jenkins is a partner in and leader of the Maritime Practice Group and co-leader of the Maritime Industry Team. He advises clients on a broad range of maritime transactions, compliance, and litigation. Scott advises clients on coastwise trade, security, citizenship, manning, and vessel documentation issues; contracts; service agreements; charter agreements; disputes arising from commercial, construction, insurance coverage, and indemnity issues; personal injury and casualty litigation; a...

Matthew J. Fantaci is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of CleanTech Law, Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, Energy Law and Oil and Gas Law. Matthew J. practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Matthew J. Fantaci since 2019. 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 Matthew J. Fantaci is held by oth...

Lele Hainkel is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group. She focuses on energy litigation. Lele has extensive experience handling offshore and onshore energy-related disputes in federal and state courts, as well as in arbitration. Her oil and gas litigation practice covers defense of claims against the oil and gas industry asserting liability for coastal erosion, legacy suit property restoration claims, disputes related to Outer Continental Shelf decommissioning liability, preferential rig...