Thomas M. Benjamin

Stewart focuses on bankruptcy, restructuring, and creditors’ rights; admiralty and maritime; marine finance and vessel documentation; asset-based finance; litigation, corporate and commercial law; and oil and gas. Stewart has been practicing law in New Orleans for more than 38 years. He is a 1974 graduate of Kenyon College, magna cum laude , where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He graduated top in his class in 1977 from Tulane Law School where he was elected to the Order of the Coif...

Melissa Harris is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Commercial Litigation. Melissa practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Melissa Harris since 2025. 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 Melissa Harris is held by other lawyers.

Maura Z. Pelleteri is a Special Partner with the firm engaged primarily in commercial litigation since 1985. Ms. Pelleteri’s practice areas include Surety and Fidelity Law; Insurance Coverage Litigation; Life, Health & Disability Insurance; Labor and Employment Litigation; Class and Mass Action Litigation; ERISA Litigation; Securities Litigation; Construction Litigation; Errors and Omissions Litigation and Directors & Officers Litigation. Ms. Pelleteri represents clients, mainly...

Born in Mobile, Alabama, Jeff Mitchell earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Louisiana State University in 1985. He went on to receive his Juris Doctor from Louisiana State University’s Paul M. Hebert School of Law in 1989. Mr. Mitchell has devoted his legal practice to representing plaintiffs, with a primary focus on Medical Malpractice Law and Traumatic Brain Injury claims. He is among a small group of attorneys in Louisiana who are Board Certified in Med...

Micholle Mordock has defended a wide variety of healthcare providers including: physicians, dentists, veterinarians, advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, chiropractors, certified registered nurse anesthetists, colon hydrotherapists, counselors, social workers, EMT’s, pharmacists, home health nurses, nursing homes, senior living facilities, out-patient surgery centers, LTAC’s, SNF’s, rural com...

Edward B. Poitevent II is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Energy Law, Energy Regulatory Law and Oil and Gas Law. Edward B. practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Edward B. Poitevent II since 2007. 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 Edward B. Poitevent II is held by other lawyers.

Robert Bieck is special counsel in the Litigation Practice Group. He focuses on securities and other regulatory compliance and enforcement defense, and capital markets products and corporate governance litigation. Rob represents securities brokers, banks and other financial institutions, and corporations, as well as their directors, officers, and other employees, in matters arising under federal and state securities laws, general corporate laws, banking laws, and the Employee Retirement Incom...

Douglas S. Draper practices primarily in the creditor and debtor rights area. His practice involves an equal mix of litigation and business negotiation. The creditor and debtor rights work involves representation of bondholders, creditors’ committees and debtors in large commercial and business cases. Has represented clients in successful reorganizations of hotels, grocery chains, apartment complexes, office buildings, oil companies, shipyards, clothing stores, an oil refinery, and fast...

Member Alan G. Brackett, who is one of the firm founders, leads the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act defense team, which also handles claims arising under the Defense Base Act and War Hazards Compensation Act. Alan litigates claims nationwide for large corporations and insurance companies, including Chubb and American Longshore Mutual Association. As supported by the many peer honors he has received, including The Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers, Alan has develop...

Lance McCardle practices in the areas of securities arbitration and litigation, environmental law, and general commercial litigation. Lance regularly represents investors (both individuals and institutions) in claims against their brokers, investment advisors, and/or investment banks in court or in arbitration proceedings administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). He also represents several landowners in claims against oil and gas companies for damage and land loss c...