Stephen Smith

William H. Patrick, III concentrates his practice in corporate bankruptcy, corporate workouts, and financial restructuring, representing debtors, committees, trustees, equity investors, and other parties in interest. Billy has played major roles in the restructuring of casinos, utility companies, restaurant and fast food chains, hotels, television broadcast companies, orthodontic management companies, and resolving claims arising from asbestos, breast implants, nuclear radiation, and other ha...

Christopher Wappel is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. He focuses on commercial lending and finance. Christopher has practiced law since 1999. He represents borrowers, agents, and lenders in structuring, negotiating, and documenting senior and subordinated, secured and unsecured, and bilateral and syndicated credit facilities, including acquisition, asset-based, oil and gas, real estate, receivables, vessel, and working capital financings. Christopher also has significant experience...

M. Palmer Lambert is a partner at Pendley, Baudin & Coffin in Metairie, Louisiana, where he represents plaintiffs in complex litigation matters involving mass torts , multidistrict litigation (MDLs), class actions, product liability claims , and catastrophic injuries. His practice also includes complex vehicular collisions, medical malpractice claims, appeals, and general casualty litigation. Mr. Lambert currently serves as Plaintiffs’ Co-Liaison Counsel in the Taxotere MDL pending ...

Valerie E. Fontenot is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Health Care Law and Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Valerie E. practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Valerie E. Fontenot 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 Valerie E. Fontenot is held by other lawyers.

Joanne Rinardo defends clients in employment and constitutional claims and is best known for litigation involving Title VII, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, and Family Medical Leave Act, as well as general employment claims. Ms. Rinardo has defended 60 EEOC and/or comparable state agency charges in a tri-state area over a two-year period with no findings of “cause” issued against the client. She also advises clients ...

Nathan G. Huntwork is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Energy Law, Energy Regulatory Law and Utilities Law. Nathan G. practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Nathan G. Huntwork since 2022. 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 Nathan G. Huntwork is held by other lawyers.

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...

Rodger focuses on maritime and oilfield transactions and litigation. This includes insurance coverage, marine finance and vessel documentation, litigation, corporate and commercial law, and international transaction primarily in Latin America. Rodger was born in Durham, North Carolina. His educational background includes: Phillips Academy (Andover), 1968; an undergraduate degree from Stanford University, 1972; a Masters in Business Administration from Columbia University, 1977; and a Juris Do...

Chad P. Morrow is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Finance Law and Real Estate Law. Chad P. practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Chad P. Morrow since 2014. 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 Chad P. Morrow is held by other lawyers.

Lee Adler practices primarily in the areas of general business relationships and finance. He has an extensive transactional-based practice representing clients in a wide variety of fields. Finance transactions include real estate finance, vessel finance, accounts receivable-based finance and equipment and inventory finance, representing both borrowers and lenders. Prior to joining Phelps in 1992, Mr. Adler was an attorney at a large multi-practice firm in New York.