Parker N. Smith

David Whitaker is a member of Kean Miller ’s labor and employment law group in New Orleans, Louisiana. His practice focuses on representing employers and management in a wide range of labor and employment matters, including the defense of employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims. He regularly advises employers on compliance with state and federal employment laws, drafts employment contracts, non-compete and confidentiality agreements, and assists with the developmen...

Pat Vance is a partner in and leader of the Litigation Practice Group. He focuses on business litigation, debtors' and creditors’ rights litigation, and business bankruptcy. Pat has the distinction of being one of the few lawyers who is both a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy. He is also a life member of the American Law Institute and a member of the National Bankruptcy Conference. As a trial attorney, Pat has handled mor...

David D. Haynes is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law. David D., who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brett Venn is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group. He focuses on business and commercial disputes. Brett represents energy clients in litigation concerning energy infrastructure, including pipelines and LNG facilities. He currently represents energy companies in tort actions, challenges to contracts, actions enforcing right of way and servitude agreements, and appeals of severance tax assessments. He has also represented energy-industry clients in contract disputes, shareholder dispute...

John W. Martinez is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. John W., 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 John W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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,...

Jacques F. Bezou Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs, Professional Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Legal Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs. Jacques F., who practices law in Covington, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jacques F. is held by other top la...

Mithun B. Kamath is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance and 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.

Jennifer L. Thornton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation and Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs. Jennifer L., who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jennifer L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Whittaker is Chair of the firm's Business Section. He represents clients in a wide variety of transactions, including buying, selling and merging companies; private placements of securities; venture capital and private equity transactions; joint ventures; roll-ups, spin-offs and split-ups; and all phases of real estate acquisitions, development and financing. Mr. Whittaker joined Stone Pigman in 1984.