Sterling Scott "Scott" Willis

New Orleans, LA Directions

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2005

Awarded Practice Areas

Banking and Finance Law Corporate Law Equipment Finance Law Real Estate Law

Visit Website

504.586.5264

Works at

Fishman Haygood LLP

23 Best Lawyers awards

Biography

Scott Willis practices primarily in the areas of commercial transactions, negotiated acquisitions, banking, and commercial real estate acquisitions, development, and financing.

Across his career, Scott has consistently held leadership roles in major professional organizations focused on real estate, banking, and transactional law. He is a fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL) and serves as secretary of its 2026 Board of Governors. He is also a member of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys (ACMA), where he serves on the Board of Regents.

Scott frequently lectures on commercial transactions and legal opinion issues and has served as a guest lecturer at LSU Law School, where he is also an emeritus member of the Alumni Board of Trustees.

Locations

New Orleans, Louisiana

504-586-5252

201 St. Charles Avenue, Suite 4600
New Orleans, LA 70170-4600

Education

Louisiana State University, J.D., graduated 1983

Bar Admissions

Louisiana, Louisiana State Bar Association, 1983

Affiliations

American College of Real Estate Lawyers - Fellow; Secretary, 2026 Board of Governors; Past Chair, Attorneys’ Opinions Committee
American College of Mortgage Attorneys - Member; Board of Regents; Past Chair, Opinions Committee
American Bar Association Real Property Trust and Estate Law Section - Past Chair, standing CLE Committee; Former Supervisory Council Member; Past Chair, Committee on Legal Opinions
Louisiana Bankers Association Bank Counsel Committee - Past Chair
New Orleans Bureau of Governmental Research - Past Chair
The American Law Institute - Adviser, Restatement of the Law Fourth, Property
Working Group on Legal Opinions Foundation - Member, Board of Directors

Client Testimonials

In addition to knowing the relevant law, Mr. Willis is frequently skilled in the negotiation and structure of the deals on which he advises us.

Sterling is calm, direct and very competent. He is an asset to any transaction.

George Dupuy (IberiaBank)

New Orleans, LA

Sterling Scott Willis is the best of the best for general business and public finance.

Sterling Willis is our go-to attorney for complex real estate matters.

Murray Calhoun (MAC-RE, L.L.C.)

Scott is an outstanding lawyer who always has the best interest of the client in perspective. He is honest and open, which is extremely important for our relationship.

Richard Abbrecht (Capital One Southcoast)

Sterling Willis is incredibly knowledgeable.

Awards & Focus

Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers^® for:

Equipment Finance Law, New Orleans (2025)
Equipment Finance Law, New Orleans (2021)
Real Estate Law, New Orleans (2020)
Banking and Finance Law, New Orleans (2018)
Equipment Finance Law, New Orleans (2017)
Banking and Finance Law, New Orleans (2016)
Equipment Finance Law, New Orleans (2012)

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America^® 2027 for work in:

Banking and Finance Law
Corporate Law
Equipment Finance Law
Real Estate Law

Special Focus:

Commercial Finance
Finance
Loan Documentation
Maritime Lending
Mergers & Acquisitions
Mortgage
Oil & Gas Lending
Real Estate
Transactions
Uniform Commercial Code

Additional Information

Case History

Transactions

Stirling Properties

$60 million acquisition of the Pan American Life Building in New Orleans by Stirling Properties, which transaction was referenced in The Wall Street Journal on December 8, 2010, as its “Deal of the Week”

Rouse's Enterprises, Inc.

Rouses Supermarkets’ acquisition of the southern division of A & P Supermarkets and subsequent expansion to 40 plus stores, including the leasing, construction and remodeling of numerous facilities

Hotel Developments

Acquisition, financing and transfer of over a dozen hotel developments

Fauji Fertilizer

Acquisition, dismantlement, shipping, and redevelopment of a large chemical facility from Louisiana to Pakistan

The Canal Place

Acquisition and financing of The Canal Place mixed-use development in Louisiana

Gas Storage Facilities

Development and financing of several above ground and below ground natural gas storage facilities

Stirling Properties, L.L.C.

Development of the River Chase and Fremaux mixed-use communities in St. Tammany Parish, the Ambassador Town Center in Lafayette, the Mid-City Market in New Orleans, and Target-anchored shopping centers in Bossier City and Lafayette

Unnamed Fuel and Lubricant Supplier

Acquisition and later sale of a leading fuel and lubricants supplier

Unnamed Air and Marine Transacations

Numerous helicopter and marine vessel financings

Unnamed Commercial Real Estate Borrowers

Regularly represent borrowers in syndicated commercial real estate financings

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