Michael W. McMahon

Maura Z. Pelleteri is a Special Partner with the firm engaged primarily in commercial litigation since 1985. Ms. Pelleteri’s practice areas include Surety and Fidelity Law; Insurance Coverage Litigation; Life, Health & Disability Insurance; Labor and Employment Litigation; Class and Mass Action Litigation; ERISA Litigation; Securities Litigation; Construction Litigation; Errors and Omissions Litigation and Directors & Officers Litigation. Ms. Pelleteri represents clients, mainly...

Ethan Zubic serves as Assistant Chair of the Admiralty & Maritime Section of the Firm and focuses his practice on commercial litigation in a wide range of practice areas, from cooperative purchasing enterprises to property damage to legacy litigation, as well as admiralty and maritime law, insurance coverage and defense, real estate litigation and commercial transactions. He has handled cases involving property insurance, ocean marine insurance coverage disputes, subrogation claims, marin...

Doug Kleeman practices in the area of insurance and reinsurance. He counsels clients, manages disputes and tries cases involving a variety of first- and third-party insurance coverage issues. Prior to joining Phelps Dunbar, Doug practiced in the areas of insurance coverage and litigation at Bienvenu, Foster, Ryan & O’Bannon, LLC in New Orleans.

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...

Johanna Lambert is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Johanna, who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Johanna is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

GLEN R. GALBRAITH was born in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1965 and has lived in south Louisiana for most of his life. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Louisiana State University. Before entering the legal profession, Glen worked in industry as a manager, computer programmer/analyst, and engineer, experience that continues to inform his practical approach to legal matters. Glen earned his Juris Doctor from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University and...

Raymond G. Areaux is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, Litigation - Intellectual Property and Technology Law. Raymond G., 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 Raymond G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Douglas S. Draper practices primarily in the creditor and debtor rights area. His practice involves an equal mix of litigation and business negotiation. The creditor and debtor rights work involves representation of bondholders, creditors’ committees and debtors in large commercial and business cases. Has represented clients in successful reorganizations of hotels, grocery chains, apartment complexes, office buildings, oil companies, shipyards, clothing stores, an oil refinery, and fast...

John T. Balhoff, II, a member of the firm, was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1971. He attended college at the University of Notre Dame and graduated from there, cum laude, in 1993, receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance. Mr. Balhoff received his Juris Doctor degree from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University in 1996. Mr. Balhoff presently is admitted to the Louisiana Bar and he also is admitted to practice before all United States District C...

Lewis McHenry is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. He represents a wide range of parties in real estate transactions. Lewis advises clients on real estate acquisitions and divestitures, workouts, commercial bankruptcy, development, and finance. He handles matters in connection with multi-family residential developments throughout the southeastern and southwestern United States, office buildings, hotels, and medical facilities. He also advises forest products companies on timber inves...