Nicholas Varisco

Mr. Schneider is Co-Chair of the firm's Real Estate Practice Group and is a member of firm's Management Committee. He has extensive experience in the area of sophisticated commercial real estate transactions in Louisiana and elsewhere. He has been involved in many of the major commercial real estate transactions and gaming developments in the region. Mr. Schneider joined Stone Pigman in 1984.

Michael D. Landry is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) and Corporate Law. Michael D. practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Michael D. Landry 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 Michael D. Landry is held by other lawyers.

Bryant York practices in the areas of commercial litigation, intellectual property, antitrust matters, bankruptcy litigation, government relations, and regulatory counseling. He has represented clients in federal and state courts, as well as in arbitrations, mediations and administrative proceedings before federal agencies. Notably, Bryant represented adversary proceedings arising from the largest bankruptcy filing in U.S. history and defended an oilfield service company in a lawsuit which cu...

Bill Backstrom is a partner and leader of the firm’s Tax Practice Group. For more than 35 years, he has focused on state and local tax matters in Louisiana and on a multistate basis. Bill provides comprehensive, practical, and solution-focused tax guidance to a broad range of business enterprises. Known for the quality of his counsel, his commitment to client service, and his ability to explain sophisticated issues in clear terms — particularly with respect to Louisiana’s hi...

Mary Ellen Roy practices in the area of commercial litigation. She represents media and advertising companies in pre-publication and pre-broadcast review, defamation defense, privacy law, courtroom access, public records and open meetings, reporter’s privilege, negligent misrepresentation, and other First Amendment issues. She also handles intellectual property law matters, including copyright and trademark counseling, litigation, registration, prosecution and proceedings before the U.S...

Ian Atkinson is a seasoned trial and appellate lawyer whose practice spans complex commercial litigation, white-collar criminal defense, and tax litigation. He represents plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes disputes in state and federal courts and has substantial experience handling matters through every stage of litigation, from pre-suit investigations and dispositive motion practice to trial and appeal. Ian has served as lead counsel in bench and jury trials and is regularly entrusted ...

Mr. Grace joined Blue Williams as an associate in 2002. In 2006, he was elected partner at the firm. His practice primarily consists of motor vehicle and trucking litigation, environmental and toxic tort litigation, including asbestos and benzene litigation, personal/commercial property and casualty litigation, and products liability. Mr. Grace earned a bachelor of arts degree in history from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte. He was awarded a juris doctorate from Loyola University ...

Kenneth L. Ross is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Insurance. Kenneth L. practices law in Hammond, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Kenneth L. Ross 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 Kenneth L. Ross is held by other lawyers.

Michael S. Blackwell is Of Counsel with Riess LeMieux, L.L.C.. Michael represents a variety of clients, ranging from general contractors, subcontractors, owners, developers, insurers, and sureties in construction and labor issues, to companies involved in sales, acquisitions, corporate governance matters, commercial disputes, and other challenges arising in the commercial arena. He has engaged in significant contract negotiation, corporate formation, structuring, and governance matters, sales...

Joe Lowenthal is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group. He has extensive experience in the fields of healthcare, insurance coverage, contracts, and environmental and toxic torts. Joe provides broad-based advice and focused litigation counsel for a variety of clients. Leader of the firm’s healthcare team, his representative matters include litigation on behalf of a managed service organization in multiple federal and state district courts across the United States, with responsibilit...