Many Lawyers

S. Christie Smith IV is the senior partner of SmithBush, LLP, a regional Louisiana law firm originally established in 1911 to represent laborers--and too often their widows and children--who were harmed by the burgeoning and unregulated timber industry in the rural South. Mr. Smith's work today is the modern extension of that century-old practice, in a broader, litigation-based platform. As a consumer advocate and lawyer-in-the-trenches, he has spent his career representing regular people in the fight for safer working conditions, reliable products, civil rights, and fair access to the courts. His practice focuses on litigating wrongful...

Jimmy D. Long, Jr. specializes in protecting assets and minimizing taxes for his clients. Through careful planning and trust drafting, Jimmy can shelter assets from creditors, nursing home spend-down, or children who are not well suited to manage an inheritance. His plans defer, reduce, or eliminate capital gains taxes on the sale of highly appreciated land and businesses, reduce income taxes for high earners, and reduce or eliminate estate taxes at death. Jimmy has an active state-wide practice throughout Louisiana, and occassionally consults on asset protection, estate planning, and tax matters in other states in conjunction with...

Jed Cain is a partner with Herman, Herman & Katz, L.L.C. Mr. Cain attended Hendrix College in Conway, AR where he earned a B.A. in Politics in 2001. In 2005, Mr. Cain received his law degree from Tulane University School of Law. Mr. Cain clerked with Herman, Herman & Katz, L.L.C. throughout law school and became an associate with the firm in the summer of 2005, shortly before Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans. After Hurricane Katrina, Mr. Cain became heavily involved in the firm’s prosecution of both commercial and residential first party property insurance claims. The New York...

To say that Chris is passionate about the practice of immigration law would be an understatement. Chris thrives on helping those in destitute situations trying to make a better life for themselves. Chris's passion stems from his upbringing overseas. Chris was born in Thailand in 1978 close to the Cambodian border where he regularly saw refugees housed behind barbed wire fences as a result of the civil war in Cambodia.

After graduating from Auburn University in 2001, Chris moved to Cambodia where he spent two years teaching English at the Royal University of Phnom Penh and working at an internal displacement...

Steve Harrelson is licensed to practice law in Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana, and his practice areas include catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and medical malpractice. Steve practices throughout the three state region in state and federal courts. In addition to litigating complex issues inside the courtroom, Steve is also experienced in private negotiations, mediations, and seeking remedies at the administrative level. While Steve enjoys many areas of the legal arena, his passion is preparing for and engaging in the trial by jury. Steve believes in the constitutional right to trial by jury and is willing to protect and preserve this...

Our firm specializes in taking the stress and worry away from our clients. When clients sign up with our firm, they can meet their medical appointments and eventually get back to their lives knowing that we will take care of them.

Attorney Walter Gabriel has recently been selected Top 40 Under 40 by the National Trial Lawyers Association and is peer-rated AV Preeminent for highest level of professional excellence. Millions of dollars have been recovered for clients of the Law Firm of Walter Gabriel.

L. Laban Levy is a partner at Simon, Fitzgerald, Cooke, Reed & Welch, where he focuses primarily on Consumer Bankruptcy law. With nearly two decades of experience, Mr. Levy is dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate financial challenges, offering solutions that protect their homes, vehicles, and financial futures. Mr. Levy graduated from Northwestern State University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, equipping him with a strong foundation in personal finance and business management. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Civil Law from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State...

An experienced Bankruptcy attorney, Michele Cook is dedicated to helping her clients solve their debt problems. She understands that bad things can happen to good people. Contact her today for a free consultation and learn how she can help you achieve your debt free goals.

I am a CPA and attorney. I have been a CPA since 1994 and an Louisiana attorney since 2000. The Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization has designated me as a Board Certified Estate Planning and Administration Specialist (since 2008), as well as a Board Certified Tax Law Specialist (also since 2008). My practice focuses strongly on the needs and issues particular to farmers, middle income clients and small business owners. These include issues such as estate tax reduction, medicaid long-term care planning, special needs planning, asset protection planning, and small business protection planning. Plans I regularly recommend and personally draft for...

As a sole practitioner, our firm's founder, Carl Henry Franklin, dedicates his practice to working one-on-one with each client. Although there are thousands of lawyers and law firms throughout Louisiana, few can match the personalized attention, access to resources, wealth of local knowledge and decades of experience our firm offers.

Marshall Rice is a personal injury trial attorney licensed to practice law in Louisiana and Texas. Growing up, Marshall witnessed his father practice law and knew from a young age that he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps. Marshall received a Bachelor of Science degree from Centenary College of Louisiana, followed by his law degree from Paul M. Herbert Law School at LSU. Marshall believes that everyone deserves quality representation and access to the courts. Not only does he exemplify the values of integrity, empathy, and diligence, but he instills these values in his staff as well. He has...

I am part of a dedicated team that focuses on defending clients across Louisiana who are charged with DWI and DUI. Every day, our mission is to defend individuals facing all types of DWI charges, from misdemeanor to felony levels. Our primary goal is to help you avoid jail time, safeguard your driving privileges, and reduce the impact on your criminal record. Barkemeyer Law Firm offers a wide range of services to assist clients with various aspects of DWI charges. These include managing issues related to driver’s licenses such as suspensions and temporary licenses, navigating Administrative Hearings, dealing with DMV complications,...

Once a public servant, now a mercenary. I get paid to fight. A decade of experience and training for hire. I do not judge; I represent. I do not criticize; I counsel action. I am never shocked; I have seen some of the worst. I get paid to fight. Hard. I have handled hundreds of felony and misdemeanor cases. Some go to trial, some enter pleas. All are important; all are difficult due to their personal nature and the impact upon those who are accused and the people close to them. I understand this. I return phone calls promptly, listen...

Joseph's practice primarily focuses on civil litigation and personal injury. Joseph has worked at various large firms across the state of Louisiana. Joseph received his Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana Tech University and his Juris Doctorate and Graduate Degree in Comparative Law from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University. Joseph honorably served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and completed two combat tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, earning the rank of a Sergeant while serving in the 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment. Along with all Louisiana state courts, Joseph...

James E. Sudduth, III is the founder and driving force behind Sudduth and Associates, LLC. As a Lake Charles native, he witnessed the lack of growth and direction present in his beloved city and decided to become the force of change the city needed. James knew that to accomplish this goal he would have to temporarily relocate to Baton Rouge. After law school, James returned home to serve as an Assistant District Attorney in the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s office, and during his tenure he was promoted to Misdemeanor Section Chief. When offered a second promotion to the Felony Division,...

Attorney J. Michael Veron is an active trial lawyer, litigating a variety of civil and criminal cases involving such diverse matters as personal injuries, securities fraud, toxic torts, breaches of trust, construction disputes, school board elections and civil rights claims.

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.

Personal Injury Attorney practicing in the areas of Offshore & Serious Personal Injury. Personal Injury - All Types; Offshore/Jones Act; Construction Accidents; Automobile Accidents; 18-Wheeler Accidents; Wrongful Death, Paralysis, Burns, Amputations, Electrocutions, Head Neck and Back Injuries; Free Consultation - No Fees, Costs, or Expenses if No Recovery. W. Taylor Hale was selected by Super Lawyer magazine as a Rising Star in 2015-2020. W. Taylor Hale is a Life Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum - The Top Trial Lawyers in America, which requires a settlement or verdict over one million dollars on behalf of...

Attorney Doug Bryan has been serving the local community since 1991 with individualized, experienced legal counsel. As a lifelong resident of Louisiana, he understands the needs of clients and their families. You can rely on his knowledge and compassion throughout your case, whether you were in a car accident, injured at work, want to adopt a child or were charged with a traffic offense. The Bryan Law Firm L.L.C. provides representation in a range of areas of law with a focus on personal injury and work injuries. Doug Bryan began his legal career with a personal injury law firm and...

I am a highly experienced general practice attorney, one of a dying breed who has done it all. I handle serious personal injury, wrongful death, estate planning, real estate, and public relations. I have practiced bankruptcy law for individuals since the Spring of 1980 when I filed my first bankruptcy case as a law clerk during my last semester of law school at LSU, Baton Rouge. I have practiced law since, continuously and without interruption. The scope of my practice will continue to conform with my varied pursuits, but with an emphasis on public relations as...

Will Huguet is a partner in the Shreveport office of Kean Miller. He joined the firm in 2014 and practices in the oil and gas and energy litigation groups. Will has more than fifteen years of experience assisting energy companies in the exploration and production of minerals, including sales and acquisitions, lease and contract rights, title, due diligence, regulatory compliance, dispute resolution, and litigation, and in representing landowners and companies in selling and purchasing property and managing their mineral and royalty interests.

Prior to law school, Will was a professional landman in Lafayette, Louisiana. After law school, he served as a...

Allen P. Jones is a shareholder in Wiener, Weiss & Madison, A Professional Corporation. He practices in the areas of estate planning, tax law, succession and probate law, business and corporate law, and real estate. Allen represents individuals and families in all aspects of estate planning, including the preparation of wills, trusts, partnerships and limited liability companies. His work in the area of business and corporate law includes business succession planning, corporate reorganizations, and business sale transactions. He is Board Certified by the Louisiana State Bar in Estate Planning, and is licensed as a title insurance agent in the state...

Rich is a shareholder with Wiener, Weiss & Madison. He joined the firm in 2013 and advises businesses, families and individuals in the areas of Taxation, Corporate Law, Securities Law, Mergers & Acquisitions, Real Estate Law, Estate Planning, Successions/Probate, Title Insurance and Nonprofit Law.

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...

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...

Native of South Louisiana. Extensive litigation and bankruptcy experience.

Linda S. Melancon is an attorney practicing in the areas of Estate Planning,
Elder Law, Medicaid and VA benefit’s planning, Special Needs Planning, and Estate
Administration (Probate, Successions and Trust Administration).
Linda is a Board Certified Estate Planning and Administration Specialist, certified by the
Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization. She is also accredited by the Veterans Administration to
give advice regarding veterans’ benefits.

Linda graduated magna cum laude from Mercer University with a double major in business
administration and history and then attended Louisiana State University’s Paul M. Hebert Law
Center where she graduated with her law degree in 1997.

While in law school, Linda received the Order...

In 1989, Jimmy began the firm of Simien & Simien, LLC with emphasis on Admiralty and Maritime, Class Actions, Constitutional Law, Criminal Defense, Mass Tort, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death and other major litigation. Other areas in which the firm has extensive experience include Insurance Bad Faith, Insurance Claims, Constitutional Law, Bankruptcy, Commercial Law and limited Criminal Defense matters. During his tenure with the firm, Jimmy was chosen by his peers to be section chief of the ATLA Litigation Committee involving CCA (Chromated Cooper Arsenate) Wood. The focus of that Committee was on litigation pertaining to CCA pressure treated wood,...

Wade Visconte is a life-long Louisiana resident with decades of experience in civil and criminal litigation. He graduated from Caddo Magnet High School. Wade attended Louisiana Tech University and majored in English; he was awarded a bachelor’s degree in 1992. He then attended law school at LSU and graduated in 1996. He was admitted into the Louisiana Bar in 1997. He is licensed in the state courts of Louisiana and Texas. He is also licensed to practice in the federal district courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana, as well as the United States Fifth Circuit Court...