Cottonport Lawyers

Hugh Lambert founded The Lambert Firm (now Lambert Zainey Smith & Soso) in 1977 and has since grown the firm to one of the most prestigious and well respected firms in New Orleans, representing individuals and businesses alike in a wide range of legal matters. In addition to his legal representation, Hugh Lambert is a frequent lecturer across the United States on class actions and mass torts. He has also authored and published legal articles. He has held a broad range of leadership positions in many organizations devoted to law, civic and charitable pursuits. He is a member in good...

The dedicated and experienced criminal defense attorneys of DiGiulio Utley, LLC give personalized, aggressive and effective service to each client. The work ethic of our attorneys is impeccable and their results—a product of trial skills, adeptness at negotiations, and knowledge of the criminal justice system—speak for themselves. The criminal attorneys consult and communicate with their clients at every stage of their proceedings to ensure that they understand the legal process. The firm also ensures that no clients are uninformed or unsure of their situations. Ultimately, we do everything we can to leave our clients satisfied with their resolutions, whether they...

Craig was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. He graduated from Loyola College Prep in 1985. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from Louisiana State University-Shreveport in 1990. He attended law school at Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where he graduated in 1993. He is an attorney and partner in the law firm of Smith & John. Craig was admitted to the Louisiana Bar in 1993, and since then, he has been admitted to practice before the following courts: U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth...

University of New Orleans & LSU Law Center Graduate. Solo practitioner concentrating in Criminal & DWI Defense, Personal Injury & Contract Negotiations, Civil Litigation. Trial & Motion Practice. Mac Evangelista since 1988. Rated 'Best Lawyers' for past 15 years straight in SB Magazine.

I was born in Lafayette, in the heart of Cajun country. My grandparents lived next door, and there was rarely a day without a visit to or from someone in the extended family. Growing up, the family indulgence was season tickets to Saints games in the fall. I played volleyball at LSU, the culmination of a childhood dream. I went to LSU law school. There I enrolled in a tax law course and discovered that I really am a numbers person, and thrived in a program that appealed to my logical brain. After graduating, I headed north to pursue a Master...

Tyler Kostal is an associate attorney in the New Orleans office of Kean Miller. She practices in the energy and environmental litigation group, defending energy companies in lawsuits involving oil and gas, environmental, toxic tort exposure, wetlands loss, pipeline, and commercial litigation and appeals. She also assists clients with Medicare reporting and compliance obligations for toxic tort exposure claims.

Tyler is listed as a Rising Star by Louisiana Super Lawyers for 2019.

Tyler earned her B.B.A., cum laude, in economics and marketing in 2005 from the University of Mississippi. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from Loyola University New Orleans College of...

Robert T. Weimer is a partner of the firm and oversees its estate/succession litigation division. He holds in-depth experience with mental health disputes and family law matters, offering clients his expertise on complicated successions as well as conflicts among executors, legatees, and heirs. With extensive experience in family law, Robert is a reliable attorney who has successfully represented clients on numerous issues including but not limited to custody, visitation, divorce, tutorship and curatorship. Moreover, he regularly speaks at conferences related to estate matters in Louisiana. Licensed by both Texas and Louisiana Bar Associations as well as being an active member...

Karen Waters Shields is a partner in the New Orleans office of Kean Miller. Karen is an experienced litigator with particular experience in a wide variety of admiralty and oil & gas casualty issues, including Jones Act, personal injury, oil and gas exploration, well blowouts, cargo damage, vessel collisions, vessel damage, platform damage and barge damage. Her experience with oil and gas casualties is both offshore in the Gulf of Mexico and on land. Karen also has experience in construction law, consumer credit reporting, products liability, and general personal injury litigation. Following law school, she served for one year as...

Rusty Savoie is a graduate of Nicholls State University and Loyola University. He has both a law degree and a Masters in Business Administration. Born in Larose, Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, Rusty Savoie has over 20 years of legal experience. He dedicates his practice to defending the rights of injured workers throughout Southeastern Louisiana from his offices in Covington and Houma.

Peggy Gonsoulin Vallejo graduated from Tulane Law School in May 1999 and was admitted to the Louisiana State Bar in October 1999.

Her practice consists of civil litigation with a strong focus on personal injury, divorce, child support, spousal support, and succession matters. She has clients in all of the surrounding parishes in the Greater New Orleans Metro Area including St. Tammany, Orleans, Jefferson, Washington, Tangipahoa, Livingston and East Baton Rouge.

Mr. Sterbcow’s practice focuses on consumer financial services and real estate regulatory compliance and litigation including: Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), Truth In Lending Act (TILA), Fair Housing Act, Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Dodd-Frank Act, Sherman Anti-Trust Act, Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act involving federal and state mortgage lending and consumer credit compliance issues, title insurance compliance, real estate brokerage programs and operational compliance, affiliated business arrangement compliance, financial services marketing and promotional programs, state and federal licensing compliance, multiple listing service compliance, Best Practices compliance, and consumer fair financing practices....

A native New Orleanian, Leo graduated from Holy Cross High School, later obtained his Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of New Orleans, and then his Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School, where he served as the Study Body President, Lead Attorney in the American Trial Lawyers Association Trial Competition, and member of the Clinic Program, successfully trying and winning cases on behalf of individuals’ rights. After graduating from Loyola School of Law, Leo opened the Palazzo Law Firm. Leo is admitted to practice in all state and appellate courts throughout Louisiana, the Federal Western, Middle, and Eastern Districts,...

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...

Brad Harrigan focuses on intellectual property and insurance defense. As part of his intellectual property practice, Mr. Harrigan has managed trademark portfolios for Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and individuals consisting of hundreds of domestic and international trademark applications and registrations.

Mr. Harrigan has significant experience representing clients in trademark prosecution matters such as USPTO Office Actions, TTAB proceedings, and ICANN UDRP arbitrations. Mr. Harrigan has also represented clients in IP litigation matters throughout the country, including state and federal disputes concerning trademark, copyright, trade secret, and unfair competition issues. His defense work includes a broad range of experience in property...

Mr. Bowling has considerable experience in all forms of wrongful death and personal injury litigation, having tried through verdict numerous automobile, trucking, premises liability, product liability, admiralty, toxic tort, and medical malpractice cases. He has tried cases in federal district courts, bankruptcy courts, state courts, and before state and federal administrative agencies in Louisiana, Mississippi, and other states.

Mr. Bowling also has extensive experience handling medical malpractice claims as well as complex catastrophic injury cases including those involving birth asphyxia/ hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury.

Mr. Bowling has been selected to the list of Louisiana Super Lawyers...

I am Sarah Pfeiffer, single mom, attorney, and fiercely positive legal advocate for all types of families. I work with families to build a pathway through conflict that creates lasting peace, more financial security, space for personal and parental growth, and allows the adults involved to model healthy relationships for their children.

I attended law school at Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1978. I completed law school and was admitted to the State Bar in 1981. I have worked in the personal injury field and defended criminal cases throughout the State of Louisiana. I have worked as legal counsel for the State of Louisiana in children in need of care matters.

I have served as a college professor and taught in the paralegal programs, and criminal justice. I am comfortable in the small towns and in the big cities. Nothing satisfies me more...

John’s years of experience with criminal cases gave him a unique lens to understand eligibility, and he intimately knows the incredible changes to someone’s life that can come from an expungement, too. Expunging an arrest or conviction from a record opens a person up to a better education, better jobs, or better licenses — the difference between being a cook and being a chef. But expungements also give people a clean slate, closing the chapter of a criminal arrest history and allowing them to move forward with their lives. John has become well-known in the legal community for making himself almost constantly available...

I am a partner at Carver Darden Koretzky Tessier Finn Blossman & Areaux LLC in New Orleans, where my practice is centered around intellectual property law. I focus on assisting clients with the protection and enforcement of their patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. My background in computer science and law equips me with a distinctive approach to complex intellectual property issues. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science and Psychology from Duke University in 2001. Before embarking on my legal career, I worked as a software engineer, where I gained hands-on experience in technology and software development. I...

Daniel Stanton practices in the admiralty, maritime , and energy law practice groups. Prior to law school, Daniel worked as a commercial property and casualty insurance producer in Northwest Florida where he helped businesses manage liability and property risks through a variety of insurance vehicles. He is listed as a Rising Star in Louisiana Super Lawyers 2018 - 2020 and 2023. Daniel earned his B.B.A. from Mississippi State University in 2007. He earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 2013, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Maritime Law Journal, President of the Maritime Law...

Ms. Barrios is a founding partner of BKC, concentrating on the field of complex multi-district litigation, products liability litigation, mass torts, and class actions. Ms. Barrios graduated from Newcomb College in 1974 and from Tulane University School of Law in 1976. From 1976-1979 she clerked for Chief Justice Joe W. Sanders of the Louisiana Supreme Court, then joined Carl W. Cleveland and Associates, where she made partner in 1980. She co-founded BKC in 1995. Since the mid-1990s starting with her role in the both the state and national breast implant product liability litigation, Ms. Barrios has been recognized...

I focus my practice on offshore energy and marine litigation matters. Additionally, I have experience in handling emergency response, transportation matters, premises liability, and casualty litigation. I work closely with clients following accidents to assist them in navigating risk exposure and in developing proactive response strategies. I am recognized for my practical approach to resolving complex disputes and have secured favorable results for clients through motion practice, mediation, and traditional settlement negotiations.

We are a New Orleans based law firm representing people in both criminal and civil litigation. Our firm was built on the values of respect, honesty, dedication and service. Our mission in every case that we accept is to listen to the clients’ needs, understand their objectives and exceed their expectations.
Ms. Carpenter received her Juris Doctorate from Loyola University Law School. As an undergraduate student, she studied French Language and Literature graduating from L'Université d'Orléans, France.  After returning to the United States, she completed a Bachelors of Arts Magna Cum Laude in French Literature with a minor is Psychology....

Blair Schilling represents clients in a wide range of commercial matters in federal and state court, with a concentration in environmental law. Her environmental practice includes representing landowners throughout Louisiana against some of the oil and gas industry's largest operators in matters involving coastal restoration, land contamination, land use, clean water, getting brownfield sites safely back into commerce, regulatory and permitting, and expropriation issues. In doing this work, Blair represents state government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private companies and individuals, including the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), the Environmental Defense Fund, the National Wildlife Federation, Restore the Mississippi River...

Max Cohen brings extensive experience and insight in insurance defense litigation, with an emphasis on personal injury, premises liability, and professional liability construction and coverage. He received his Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt University School of Law, where he was the Brief Editor of the Moot Court Board. Mr. Cohen joined one of the largest law firms in New Orleans shortly after graduating. He became a lawyer at Lowe Stein in 1988 and became a partner in 1994. Due to his commitment to his clients, Mr. Cohen has received the AV® Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell®. Mr. Cohen is very active in...

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...

Born and raised in the New Orleans area, Zachary concentrates his practice in the fields of litigation and general corporate counsel for clients ranging in size from individuals to multi-billion dollar hedge funds. He works on litigation matters large and small, from cases involving one individual to those where he works on behalf of 10,000+ people injured by a defective product. He also advises corporations without in-house lawyers on general business matters. He is also actively involved in the legal community as a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association's LGBT Diversity Committee and Chairman and Founder of...

Mr. Kingsdorf graduated from Tulane University in 1971 and from Tulane University School of Law in 1974. He clerked at the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal for Judges Peter Beer and Ernest N. Morial and then clerked at the Louisiana Supreme Court for Justice Albert Tate, Jr. In 1980, he became a partner in the firm of Cleveland, Barrios, Kingsdorf & Casteix where he remained until 1995 when he co-founded the firm of Barrios, Kingsdorf & Casteix, LLP. In addition to serving as faculty member at numerous seminars, he has lectured at the Tulane University School of Law...

Ms. Casteix is Managing Partner of Barrios Kingsdorf & Casteix LLP. Her practice primarily focuses on business and real estate transactions as well as estate planning and administration (successions). She is a native and lifelong resident of New Orleans. After receiving her J.D. from Loyola University School of Law, Ms. Casteix began her legal career as a law clerk for the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans. In 1980 she became a partner in the firm of Cleveland, Barrios, Kingsdorf & Casteix where she remained a partner until 1995 when Barrios, Kingsdorf & Casteix was founded....

Brian Carnie is a partner in the Shreveport office of Kean Miller and practices in the labor and employment group. He represents employers of all sizes in the private and public sectors. Brian dedicates his practice exclusively to the representation of management's interests in virtually all aspects of labor and employment law, including the defense of wrongful discharge, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, workplace tort, breach of contract, FMLA, and OSHA whistleblower claims in federal and state courts, and before administrative agencies. Brian prepares, litigates and defends non-compete agreements and other restrictive covenants for his clients. He has extensive experience in Fair...

Attorney Martin Regan believes in the law and the right to the best defense. Any case, for all clients anywhere in the world: Homicide or Drug, Medical Malpractice, Federal Habeas Corpus and more. As the senior managing partner of Regan Law PLC who brings more than 40 years of success and experience to each case, Attorney Martin Regan is not only esteemed by judges and colleagues in any court of law, he is respected and revered, known as the attorney to watch and flanked by the strongest team of six professional attorneys prepared to support you....

David Sharpe focuses on marine insurance coverage; marine finance and vessel documentation; bankruptcy, restructuring, and creditors’ rights; admiralty and maritime; and international and cross-border law. He represents clients that own, operate, charter, or employ vessels, and helps them understand and manage their risks in the United States, Gulf of Mexico, and worldwide offshore maritime oilfield and alternative-energy markets. Mr. Sharpe services clients in the area of concentration on maritime contracts (time and bareboat charter parties, master service contracts, insurance and indemnity agreements, marine-insurance coverage, and ship sale and finance) and related commercial litigation (maritime liens, vessel arrest and attachment,...

Check out my website: www.iaslawllc.com.

I have practiced law for the past 40 plus years. I am licensed in Louisiana, Mississippi, and the District of Columbia.

Dad, husband, and lawyer are all labels given to me by default. I AM a defender of the poor, the less informed, and to those in which nothing extraordinary is expected. I fight injustice in the civil and criminal matters and am on the front line of defending our constitutional freedoms that are so frequently trampled on by those more fortunate. The jury is the least corruptible instrument alive in today’s justice system and public opinion is being carefully crafted to reflect the interest of Goliath while David’s freedoms are being washed away in the name of...

Worker's Compensation, Personal Injury, Social Security Disability, Medical Malpractice

Michael Lowe is a partner in the Shreveport office of Kean Miller and practices in the litigation group. Michael represents clients in the areas of labor and employment law, construction litigation and commercial litigation.

His employment practice involves all aspects of labor and employment litigation. Michael represents clients in state and federal courts, as well as before various federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the Louisiana Commission on Human Rights (LCHR). He assists clients in the development of policies and procedures, the drafting and enforcement of employment contracts,...

Phillip M. “Buddy” Hendry has extensive experience evaluating and pursuing claims for the injured and disabled. Mr. Hendry represents injured workers to protect their rights to workers' compensation benefits and litigates disputed claims involving work injuries. His past experience as a workers' compensation judge and insurance defense attorney give him a unique perspective that he uses to his help his clients get all the benefits they are entitled to receive. He also uses his experience to assist the disabled and injured in their efforts to obtain the SSDI and SSI benefits they deserve. His office handles...