Rachel Meese

Frank Barry is an experienced maritime and energy litigator with successes involving maritime property damage, marine insurance indemnity and coverage claims. Frank also has achieved successful outcomes in insurance broker E&O claims, and in oil and gas claims such as Legacy Oil, on shore blowouts, and operating agreement litigation. With over 30 years of experience, his reported cases include seminal Louisiana caselaw on gas balancing and preferential rights in mineral law (Fina Oil &...

Bret LeBreton is a partner in the Maritime Practice Group and a member of the insurance coverage team. He has practiced in all facets of maritime, energy, and marine and non-marine insurance law. Bret has represented assureds, underwriters, and other industry participants in a broad range of disputes involving hull, cargo, builder's risk, P&I, MEL, CGL, control of well, and excess and umbrella policies. He has given opinions regarding coverage, prepared reservations of rights, and advised...

John Werner is the Managing Partner of Fishman Haygood. John works in the firm’s Business Section, primarily on financings, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, and general corporate advice. In private equity, John represents Black Bay Energy Capital, Jefferson Capital Partners, and Enhanced Capital Partners in their investments in various portfolio companies. He also represents numerous private equity funded portfolio companies in their ongoing corporate nee...

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...

Thomas J. Smith represents clients in complex civil litigation with a focus on insurance defense, personal injury, and construction matters. He brings strategic insight to each case, guiding clients through litigation with precision and responsiveness from pre-suit through appeal. See how Tommy protects client interests in high-stakes matters: gallowaylawfirm.com

Lori Mince is a partner in Fishman Haygood’s Litigation Section. She practices in the areas of commercial litigation, media law, and tax litigation. Lori is also a certified American Arbitration Association® arbitrator. In her commercial litigation practice, Lori has represented clients in a variety of matters, including class actions and commercial disputes involving GoAuto Insurance, LLC; LCMC Health; Wallace Drennan, Inc.; Rouses Enterprises; H&E Equipment Services, Inc.; Sti...

Richard Cortizas is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group and a member of the Jones Walker board of directors. He focuses on transactional matters, representing clients in complex land use and zoning matters, public finance, and economic development projects. Richard has extensive experience representing corporate clients, developers and individuals before local planning commissions, boards of zoning adjustments, and governing authorities of political subdivisions throughout the state. Ri...

Nichole Mart Gray is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Environmental and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Nichole Mart, who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nichole Mart is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David Whitmore is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Admiralty and Maritime Law, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. David, 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 David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Robert J. David was born in New Roads, Louisiana on August 10, 1943. He graduated from St. Joseph's High School and attended LSU and SLU, earning a B.A. degree in 1966. IN 1969 he received his Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School, where he served on the Loyola Law Review. Representing patients and their families in medical malpractice cases is the principal focus of Robert’s practice. He has been named to Woodward/White’s "The Best Lawyers in America," for twenty consecutive...