Melanie Kaye Breaux

Dirk Wegmann is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group. He focuses on commercial civil litigation. Drawing on his more than 30 years of litigation experience, Dirk provides effective representation to clients in federal courts, state courts, and arbitration. He has substantial experience providing counsel regarding disputes and litigation in the areas of insurance coverage, tax, breach of contract, injunctions, fraud, unfair competition, landlord/tenant, construction, trusts and estates, ...

Mithun B. Kamath is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Securities. Mithun B., who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mithun B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kathryn M. Knight is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Kathryn M., who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kathryn M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Nicole A. Eichberger is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - ERISA and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Nicole A., who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicole A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David F. Waguespack is a partner in the Firm, practicing in bankruptcy, commercial litigation, creditor’s rights, and gaming law. He has represented lenders, debtors, creditor committees, and other parties in complex Chapter 11 reorganizations and related litigation and has served as a Chapter 11 trustee. Mr. Waguespack regularly represents investors acquiring property in and out of bankruptcy. He has handled litigation relating to liens, real estate, construction, shareholder’s r...

Kelsey believes effective communication is key to successful client advocacy. She assesses client-specific goals and strategic business considerations to develop tailored case strategies—whether through settlement or trial. Her practice focuses on insurance defense, insurance coverage, and workers’ compensation, representing insurance carriers and private businesses in civil litigation in state and federal court. A native of New Orleans, Kelsey is active in the community and leads...

Chris Caplinger is a partner at Kean Miller in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he represents clients in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation – Bankruptcy. His practice includes bankruptcy, restructuring, and creditors’ rights, as well as marine insurance coverage and oil and gas matters. Chris represents debtors, creditors, and creditor committees in Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization cases, creditors in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 ...

Harry Rosenberg practices in the area of commercial litigation, concentrating in the areas of business torts, trial practice, civil rights, and white collar criminal law. Mr. Rosenberg is the regional practice coordinator of the firm’s commercial litigation practice. Prior to joining Phelps Dunbar in 1974, Mr. Rosenberg served as a judicial clerk to The Honorable Jack M. Gordon, Judge, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana. He also served as the United States Attorney for t...

David Patrón serves as the Regional Practice Coordinator of the firm’s New Orleans Litigation Group where he manages one of the firm’s largest practice groups. With over twenty years of legal experience, David Patrón has established a solid reputation as a talented litigator who successfully represents businesses at all phases of litigation in state and federal courts throughout the Gulf South and beyond. Whether winning at trial or negotiating favorable settlements,...

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...