Fishman Haygood LLP

24 Best Lawyers awards

Fishman Haygood LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Commercial Finance Law Corporate Law Mergers and Acquisitions Law Real Estate Law
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in New Orleans.

Biography

Steven Serio, a partner in Fishman Haygood’s Business Section, is a results-oriented attorney with a reputation for spearheading complicated transactions from start-to-finish in an organized, detailed, and productive manner. He represents a diverse group of business clients, both big and small, including real estate developers, landlords, commercial tenants, entrepreneurs, business owners, executives, and lenders.

Steven’s practice includes all aspects of real estate development—acquisitions and sales of commercial retail properties, office buildings, apartment complexes, mixed-use town centers, and industrial properties; leasing; condominium development; and commercial loan transactions. Steven has significant experience negotiating CMBS financings and non-recourse loans. He also counsels clients in the areas of commercial contracts, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate law.

Steven is a fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers, the preeminent association of commercial real estate lawyers focused on service to clients, colleagues, and the profession. He is also a member of the NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association and currently serves on the Louisiana Government Affairs – State Subcommittee. Steven is the former State Chair of Louisiana for the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Steven is a licensed title insurance producer and Vice President of Commercial Title Agency, L.L.C., the firm’s captive title company. As an authorized agent of First American Title Insurance Company and Fidelity National Title Insurance Company, Steven handles title insurance matters of all sizes in commercial real estate transactions. He is also a licensed Certified Public Accountant (inactive).

Steven is ranked in Real Estate by Chambers and Partners USA, which notes that “he is calm under pressure; he never gets rattled.” A recent Chambers client testimonial states that Steven’s “acumen and knowledge on all issues is great,” and that he’s “always one step ahead when it comes to getting the deal done.”

Fishman Haygood LLP

24 Best Lawyers awards

Fishman Haygood LLP logo

Overview

  • English

  • American University Washington College of Law, J.D., graduated 2005

  • Louisiana, State Bar Association - Admitted 2005
  • English
  • Louisiana, State Bar Association - Admitted 2005
  • American University Washington College of Law, J.D., graduated 2005

Client Testimonials

Steven Serio with the Fishman Haygood team always goes above and beyond on any and all assignments and provide exceptional service. Steven Serio is always on top of things to help make sure that his clients are protected and that our deals are getting done correctly from a legal standpoint. I frequently receive compliments from lenders, brokers, and opposing parties regarding his work, expertise, understanding of pertinent issues and attention to detail. Additionally, he's always available and responsive which is highly impressive considering the overall workload that he must have.

Nimesh Hajari (Hajari Hospitality Management )

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2026 - Commercial Finance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2023 - Real Estate Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Commercial Finance Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Commercial Finance Law, New Orleans (2026)
  • Real Estate Law, New Orleans (2023)
  • Commercial Finance Law, New Orleans (2021)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Commercial Finance Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Real Estate Law

Additional Information

Spinning circle Big letter B

Case History

Transactions
  • 425,000 Square Foot Retail Center in Lafayette, Louisiana
Ambassador Town Center, a 425,000 square foot retail center in Lafayette, Louisiana anchored by Costco Wholesale, including the acquisition, construction financing, title work, and implementation of a payment in lieu of taxes program for infrastructure and site improvements.
  • Acquisition and Financing of the Louisiana Heart Hospital
Stirling Medical Lacombe’s $22,000,000 acquisition and financing of the Louisiana Heart Hospital in Lacombe, Louisiana.
  • 107,000 Square Foot Winn-Dixie Shopping Center
Mid-City Market, a 107,000 square-foot Winn-Dixie anchored shopping center on Carrollton Avenue in New Orleans, involving the acquisition and construction financing.
  • Fremaux Town Center Transaction
Fremaux Town Center, an 80 acre retail center anchored by Kohls, Best Buy, Dick’s and Dillard’s; the transaction involved the buyout of the original developer group through a stock purchase, a joint venture agreement between Stirling Properties and CBL Properties, as well as the construction financing and title work.
  • CMBS Refinancings
Numerous CMBS refinancings of shopping centers, office buildings, hotels, and multi-family apartment complexes throughout Louisiana.
  • Pan American Life Building
Pan American Life Building in New Orleans, Louisiana, acquisition and permanent financing.
  • Rouse's Markets Acquisitions
Rouses Markets’ negotiated acquisition of over 20 A&P and Sav-A-Center grocery stores in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Your browser is not fully compatible with our automatic printer friendly formatting.

Please use the print button to print this profile page.

Spinning circle Big letter B