Melanie Derefinko

Pamela G. Michiels is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Pamela G., who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Pamela G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bob Holden is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group and is co-team leader of the firm’s environmental litigation team. He counsels clients on environmental regulatory compliance, enforcement actions, and related commercial litigation. With his deep understanding of the law and decades of experience in the field, Bob assists clients in developing practical, compliance-oriented solutions to environmental and related legal challenges. Bob represents businesses in the energy, chemicals...

Chris Ralston practices in a broad variety of commercial litigation and specializes in the areas of antitrust law, business torts, contract disputes, securities litigation and arbitration and intellectual property litigation. Mr. Ralston serves as the main litigation contact for a number of the firm's institutional clients. He also serves as a part of the firm's appellate practice. Mr. Ralston regularly appears in state and federal courts. He frequently litigates breach of contract disputes a...

Harrison Golden focuses his litigation practice on representing clients in complex commercial disputes and regulatory matters. He regularly serves clients in the financial, consumer products, energy, and service industries on matters involving billions of dollars in liability. Harrison has litigated significant matters in the areas of antitrust, financial derivatives, trade secrets, conversion, and regulatory compliance. He has also represented municipalities and financial institutions in som...

Michael L. Eckstein is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Commercial Transactions / UCC Law and Tax Law. Michael L., who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic...

Marty McLeod practices in the area of marine and energy and business litigation law. He represents U.S. and foreign vessel owners as well as offshore energy companies in a variety of marine and energy matters, including regulatory issues, business counseling, bankruptcy, and property, loss of use, pollution and commercial disputes. Marty serves as the practice coordinator of Phelps Dunbar's New Orleans admiralty group and is a current member of the firm's Operations Committee. Prior to enteri...

Frank A. Tessier is a founding member of the firm who practices real estate, banking, corporate and oil and gas law. Banking and Finance: Represent lenders in commercial, construction, bond and equipment financing, and debt enforcement. Corporate: Preparation of organizational documents for corporation, partnerships and limited liability companies and related acquisitions. Real Estate: Representation in sales and exchanges of developed and undeveloped real estate; leases; residential subdivis...

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.

Philip D. Nizialek is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Insurance Law. Philip D., who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Philip D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Landis' commercial litigation practice focuses primarily on bankruptcy, construction and antitrust disputes. He is a member of the roster of commercial arbitrators of the American Arbitration Association and is Co-Chair if the firm's Bankruptcy Practice Group. Mr. Landis joined Stone Pigman in 1977.