Philip G. Watson

Madeleine Fischer is special counsel in the Litigation Practice Group. She focuses on insurance coverage and claims handling disputes. Madeleine has represented clients in litigation for almost 40 years and has extensive trial experience in state and federal courts. She has represented a variety of policyholders and insurance companies in insurance coverage and bad faith litigation. Besides insurance coverage and bad faith litigation, her practice also extends to appellate practice, class act...

Bert M. Cass Jr., is a jury trial litigator concentrating in the defense of bodily injury and death cases particularly in marine and offshore litigation claims. His practice focuses on representing vessel owners, oil and gas producers, exploration and drilling companies, facility operators, distributors, and offshore service contractors and their insurers against personal injury, wrongful death and survival claims. He is also experienced in energy-related claims, including interpretation of i...

Scott Willis is a partner in Fishman Haygood's Business Section. He practices primarily in the areas of commercial transactions, negotiated acquisitions, banking and commercial real estate acquisitions, development, and financing. Scott is a fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (“ACREL”) and previously served on its Board of Governors, is a member of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys (“ACMA”) and serves on its Board of Regents, and is a past C...

John B. Esnard III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Litigation - Construction and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. John B., 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 John B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Frank Accardo is a founding member of the firm. He has been engaged in trial and appellate product liability litigation for over 30 years. His primary practice responsibilities include serving as managing counsel for the defense of asbestos personal injury litigation pending nationwide. Mr. Accardo was a licensed engineer engaged in the design and construction of offshore oil and gas platforms before starting his legal career.

Robert Bieck is special counsel in the Litigation Practice Group. He focuses on securities and other regulatory compliance and enforcement defense, and capital markets products and corporate governance litigation. Rob represents securities brokers, banks and other financial institutions, and corporations, as well as their directors, officers, and other employees, in matters arising under federal and state securities laws, general corporate laws, banking laws, and the Employee Retirement Incom...

Thomas Louis Colletta, Jr. he concentrates his practice on varied areas of casualty litigation in New Orleans and Lake Charles. Mr. Colletta worked as an executive assistant to United States Congressman Jimmy Hayes of Louisiana’s seventh congressional district during and after college. Following law school at Tulane School of Law, Mr. Colletta served as a law clerk for the Honorable Gene Thibodeaux, Chief Judge of the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal. Upon completion of his clerk...

Steven I. Klein is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Franchise Law, Litigation - Real Estate, Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Nonprofit / Charities Law, Real Estate Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Steven I., who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on ...

Terrence L. Brennan defends clients faced with complex construction issues and claims. With a deep knowledge of the construction industry, he provides clients with timely advice to recognize the problem quickly, address it, and resolve it by using practical solutions. Drawing on his experience as an architect, Terry serves as a valuable resource to construction clients facing malpractice claims. His ability to read a set of plans, relate and speak the same language as the people he represents...

Curt Hearn is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. Curt served as co-leader of the Corporate Practice Group for more than 20 years, stepping down at the end of 2022. Drawing on his extensive experience and knowledge of what works — and what doesn’t — he works with firm clients to solve their most challenging, complex business and legal challenges. Curt advises private equity and venture capital firms, as well as publicly traded and privately held companies, working wit...