Philip Lorio IV

Avery Pardee is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group. She is a career defense attorney and represents clients in white collar criminal matters, internal and government investigations, and commercial litigation. Avery has significant experience defending and advising individuals as well as publicly traded companies, private businesses, and other entities with respect to internal investigations, government and grand jury investigations, criminal prosecutions, parallel proceedings, regulat...

Emily Lippold Gummer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property. Emily Lippold, 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 Emily Lippold is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James D. Rhorer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Oil and Gas Law. James D., 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 James D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dirk Wegmann is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group. He focuses on commercial civil litigation. Drawing on his more than 30 years of litigation experience, Dirk provides effective representation to clients in federal courts, state courts, and arbitration. He has substantial experience providing counsel regarding disputes and litigation in the areas of insurance coverage, tax, breach of contract, injunctions, fraud, unfair competition, landlord/tenant, construction, trusts and estates, ...

John W. Joyce is an experienced litigator and trial attorney whose practice includes most types of sophisticated civil litigation. He represents insurance companies in coverage and claim-handling cases, broker-dealers and financial advisors in securities and employment disputes, and both businesses and individuals in contract, fraud, fiduciary liability, shareholder, restrictive covenant, and trade secret litigation. John has represented clients in more than twenty trials, evidentiary hearing...

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 ...

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.

Ms. Doucette joined Ogletree Deakins in 2009. She practices primarily in the area of employment litigation and represents management in claims arising under Title VII, ADA, FMLA, ADEA, as well as other federal and state employment laws. She also regularly represents employers in various state and federal administrative proceedings. Ms. Doucette has significant experience with litigating employment matters in a variety of business sectors such as construction, insurance, banking, hospitality, ...

James A. Prather has over 30 years of experience representing clients in complex litigation, focusing on insurance defense, casualty claims, professional liability, and commercial disputes. He has tried cases in state and federal courts and is known for his thorough preparation and commitment to client goals. Learn more about James’s extensive trial and litigation experience at: gallowaylawfirm.com

Kathleen Charvet brings more than 25 years’ experience counseling and advocating for employer and contractor clients across admiralty, maritime law, Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation, and Defense Base Act matters. She has represented vessel owners, railroads, stevedoring companies, military employers, and insurers in complex litigation and regulatory matters nationwide. Kathleen’s collaborative approach involves expert witnesses, mediators, and courts to secure op...