De Soto Parish Education Lawyers

I joined DeShazo Adams, LLC as an associate in 2024, where my practice encompasses employment, education, and insurance defense matters. I graduated from LSU Law School, where I was honored with the Second Place Best Oralist award in the LSU Law Dean’s Cup Competition in 2019 and reached the Semi-Finalist stage at the National Energy and Sustainability Moot Court Competition. My academic achievements were recognized in several courses, including Constitutional Law II, Introduction to Environmental Law, Energy Law and Regulation, Climate Change Law, and Sports Law. During my time at LSU Law, I also had the privilege of serving as...

Scott Wilson has handled more than 185 cases in federal district courts, 35 appeals to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, three petitions for writs to the Supreme Court of the United States, and numerous trials and appeals in Louisiana district and appellate courts. In a landmark ruling, I obtained a reversal from the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals of a summary judgment granted by the district court in the first Family and Medical Leave Act case heard by any federal appellate court. See Manuel v. Westlake Polymers Corp., 66 F.3d 758 (5th Cir. 1995)....

Melanie Lockett is an experienced litigator in diverse areas of law including insurance coverage and defense, education, commercial litigation, employment law, professional liability, and family law. She has litigated a vast array of legal issues in Louisiana state and federal courts. She has also successfully appealed cases to Louisiana Courts of Appeal and Louisiana Supreme Court. Melanie’s innovative and diligent approach to representing clients has led to notable successes for insurance companies, insurance agents, tenured professors, university students, and victims of discrimination. Melanie is an involved member of several professional organizations. She is an active member...

Check out my website: www.iaslawllc.com.

Chelsea Brener Cusimano has a substantial litigation practice and client base after a decade of work with her family firm and public officials. Chelsea is the daughter of the late Lisa Brener who began her trailblazing civil rights and employment practice in New Orleans in the 1980s. Chelsea is a fourth-generation New Orleans lawyer. Chelsea has successfully litigated Collective Actions under the FederalFair Labor Standards Act, including managing a Collective Action with over 90 Plaintiffs from 2018-2020. Chelsea is a member of both the Louisiana and Georgia bars, and holds an LL.M. from George Washington University in National Security and International Affairs. She...

Ongoing Peer Education & Seminar Presentations: Co-Chair, 2010 HarrisMartin Louisiana Asbestos Litigation Conference Important Litigation Involvement: From 1987 to 1993, Mr. Blackwell defended numerous Fortune 500 and organizational clients in state and federal courts in Louisiana related to occupational diseases Since 1988, Mr. Blackwell has represented teachers and educational support personnel in all types of issues related to their employment Since 1993, Mr. Blackwell has represented individuals in all types of claims related to their employment, including: claims of discrimination (age, sex and disability) ...