Stephen Smith

Carl Hellmers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Carl, who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carl is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John T. Balhoff, II, a member of the firm, was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1971. He attended college at the University of Notre Dame and graduated from there, cum laude, in 1993, receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance. Mr. Balhoff received his Juris Doctor degree from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University in 1996. Mr. Balhoff presently is admitted to the Louisiana Bar and he also is admitted to practice before all United States District C...

Rick Shelby is an experienced attorney who specializes in bankruptcy, restructuring, oil and gas litigation, commercial litigation and corporate governance. His representation includes secured and unsecured creditors, trustees, committees, and debtors. Mr. Shelby has handled virtually all aspects of bankruptcy work from complex chapter 11 cases representing debtors, creditors’ committees and secured creditors to consumer bankruptcy cases in chapter 7 and 13. He has recently represented ...

Heather Lonian is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Heather, who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Heather is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brooke Tigchelaar concentrates her practice in family law, including divorce, property partition, custody, and support. She regularly handles high-conflict situations, intricate property partitions, and evolving custody and support agreements for high-net-worth individuals. She is skilled in conflict resolution, delivering sound guidance and service to each client with discretion and compassion. Brooke also has experience in commercial litigation, including general business litigation and pro...

Amanda Russo Schenck obtained her undergraduate degree in Mass Communications from Louisiana State University in 2003 and her law degree from Loyola University of New Orleans School of Law in 2006. While at Loyola, Amanda was the Vice-president of the Student Bar Association, a Student Practitioner in the Family Law Section of the Loyola Law Clinic, and a teaching assistant in the Research and Writing Lab. Amanda was also the Case Note and Comment Editor of the Loyola Law and Technology Annua...

Howard Sinor has extensive trial and appellate experience spanning more than three decades. He has handled hundreds of cases at all levels of the federal and state judicial systems, up to and including the United States and Louisiana Supreme Courts. He is also experienced in alternative dispute resolution including arbitration, mediation, and summary trials. Howard's experience in the practice of commercial litigation is broad and deep, and includes class action, multi-district, and other com...

Cove Geary is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group, where he counsels clients with respect to a broad range of disputes. Cove represents and advises clients in connection with energy litigation; life, health, and disability insurance, and Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) litigation; aviation litigation; insurance coverage issues; commercial disputes; professional liability matters; and class action litigation. Cove leads the firm’s insurance coverage practice team. ...

As a multidisciplinary litigator, Sarah McMillan represents regional, national, and international clients in matters relating to products liability, toxic torts, construction, and insurance defense. Sarah helps clients and their insurers to assess and mitigate risks and vigorously defend them, when necessary. With experience in mass-tort and single-plaintiff matters, she has successfully used many strategies, including motion practice, to resolve disputes. Since 2023, Sarah has been ranked as...

Tyler Marquette is a partner in Fishman Haygood's Business Section. He has considerable experience leading all legal aspects of commercial real estate, including development, construction, acquisitions and sales, financing, and leasing. He represents commercial real estate developers, landlords, tenants, investors, lenders, buyers, and sellers. Tyler also practices banking, finance, and corporate law. Tyler routinely represents the regional real estate developer, investor, and asset manager, ...