Patrick H. Willis

Chelsea P. Fitzgerald is an attorney with Cohen Rabinowitz PLLC in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her practice includes banking and finance law and real estate law. Fitzgerald advises clients on legal matters involving financial transactions, banking relationships and real estate. Her work focuses on helping individuals, businesses and other clients address the legal issues that arise in these areas. Fitzgerald was recognized by Best Lawyers in 2026 for Banking and Finance Law and Real Estate Law. B...

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...

Theodore Owers is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Trademark Law. Theodore practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Theodore Owers since 2024. 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 Theodore Owers is held by other lawyers.

Walter Maestri is a maritime attorney working in the offshore fields representing companies that have contracts with oil and gas interests in the Gulf of Mexico. Whether representing the actual platform owner or the service industries that provide support to the oil and gas industry, he defends those companies against personal injury actions, property damage loss, lost oil and gas revenues, or other claims that may arise from operations in the Gulf. Working in partnerships with his clients, W...

Gary Hemphill practices in the areas of admiralty litigation. His practice involves matters in personal injury, cargo, oil and energy, finance and FD&D. Prior to joining Phelps Dunbar, Mr. Hemphill was with the Terriberry, Carroll, & Yancey, L.L.P. law firm in New Orleans.

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...

Michael J. Ecuyer is a member of the law firm of Gainsburgh, Benjamin, David, Meunier, & Warshauer, L.L.C. Michael is engaged in a civil litigation practice. He practices with an emphasis on the representation of plaintiffs in medical malpractice claims, admiralty or maritime matters, mass torts, FELA claims and personal injury claims. A member of the Louisiana State Bar Association, the New Orleans Bar Association, the Louisiana Association for Justice (Executive Committee), and the Fede...

Melissa Harris is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Commercial Litigation. Melissa practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Melissa Harris since 2025. 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 Melissa Harris is held by other lawyers.

Justin Lemaire concentrates his practice on business litigation. He assists clients with a wide variety of business issues, including state and local tax disputes, products liability litigation, oil and gas litigation, public bid law cases and government procurement cases. His experience ranges from defending independent oil and gas companies in legacy oilfield site lawsuits to representing a large chemical corporation in a multimillion dollar arbitration over a chemical distribution agreemen...

Pamela G. Michiels is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Insurance Law. Pamela G. practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Pamela G. Michiels since 2023. 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 Pamela G. Michiels is held by other lawyers.