Rachel Meese

Leading Maritime Injury Advocate Ian Taylor is a trusted advocate for individuals injured at sea, recognized for his skill in complex maritime, products liability, and civil litigation cases. As a member of Lewis, Kullman, Sterbcow & Abramson, LLC, he was appointed by a federal judge to the Executive Committee overseeing litigation from the 2021 SEACOR POWER maritime disaster and has played a key role in securing multi-million-dollar recoveries for clients in the BP oil spill and other ma...

Sean Mount defends corporate clients and insurance companies in a variety of litigation claims that can arise as a result of today’s competitive legal environment. With a special interest in defense litigation, Sean Mount enjoys addressing client problems and crafting a solution that is best suitable for their business. Building upon his extensive courtroom experience, he has successfully litigated a variety of matters in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas for various corporate and insur...

Senior Counsel Will Bland, III, one of the founding members of the firm, has more than 49 years of experience as a litigator. Will’s practice focuses on maritime personal injury defense, maritime collision and property damage insurance coverage, contractual indemnity, longshore matters, transportation defense, and general litigation. His clients have included both Fortune 500 and local one-boat companies, and he regularly represents vessel operators, shipyards, both brown water and offs...

Scott Sternberg serves as Managing Partner of Sternberg, Naccari & White in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he helps guide the firm’s operations and works closely with individuals, businesses, and media organizations on complex legal matters. Scott maintains a national litigation practice with a focus on Commercial Litigation and First Amendment Law. He represents businesses of all sizes in a wide range of disputes, including personal injury, real estate, partnership, and contract mat...

Joe Lavigne is a partner in the Labor & Employment Practice Group and an experienced litigator in trade secret and non-compete disputes. As a lead attorney on Jones Walker’s trade secret and non-compete team, Joe focuses his practice on prosecuting and defending claims of employee misconduct involving trade secret violations, unfair trade practices, non-compete violations, invasion of privacy, Computer Fraud and Abuse Act issues, theft, and related disputes. He also advises clients ...

I’ve always stood up for the little guy, especially when they’re being pushed around by big insurance companies. My commitment to personal injury law grew out of a deep frustration with how everyday people are treated after an accident. I kept seeing the same pattern: hardworking folks doing everything right, raising families, paying their bills, showing up for work, only to be mistreated by the very systems that were supposed to protect them when they needed help the most. After ...

Bart Bacigalupi focuses his practice on corporate business matters, including commercial finance, real estate, leasing, software contracts, start-up advice, services agreements, corporate governance and other commercial matters. He advises companies in general business matters across various industries, including energy, shipping, financial middle-market lenders, real estate investors, technology, hospitality and public utilities with respect to their legal business needs. Bart seeks to serve...

Philip D. Nizialek is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Insurance Law. Philip D., who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Philip D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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.

Patrick Talley practices primarily in the area of commercial litigation, with a focus on transportation, energy and environmental law. Mr. Talley has worked extensively within the railroad industry, and is well-known both regionally and nationwide in that area. He has successfully represented railroads, including three Class I and two Short Line railroads, in matters involving cargo and freight claims, derailments, crossing litigation, and employee personal injury and death (F.E.L.A.). He als...