Berwick Lawyers

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...

Born in Abbeville, Louisiana. 1994 Graduate of LSU Law Center. 20 years legal experience. Licensed to practice in all State and Federal Courts in Louisiana. Focus is on civil litigation and areas of practice include Maritime, Auto Accidents, Truck Crashes and Products Liability claims.

JOHN R. WALKER is a Partner in SBSB's Houston office. For the past almost twenty-five years, it has been my privilege to represent insurance and employer interests focusing on the defense of claims brought under the Longshore and Harbor Act, the Defense Base (DBA), the Non-Appropriated Funds (NAF) Instrumentalities Act, the Jones Act, and General Maritime and Admiralty Law. Additionally, John also has extensive experience in First Party Insurance Defense matters, representing employers, insurance carriers, and third parties in State, Federal and Appellate courts. Prior to joining the firm, John handled First Party Insurance Defense,...

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...

Ms. Cheek has extensive experience with cases involving asbestos-related illnesses, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. She also frequently handles cases involving other types of cancer, such as ovarian cancer. Her current practice is located in New Orleans, Louisiana, but she has also litigated extensively in numerous other jurisdictions, including Texas, Mississippi, Florida, California, West Virginia, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington, Illinois, and South Carolina. Ms. Cheek is an active member of the American Bar Association, Association of Women Attorneys, the State Bar of Texas, the State Bar of Louisiana, the State Bar of Pennsylvania, the Texas...

Growing up, I had the typical south-Louisiana experience. I learned to swim before I could walk when I was thrown from the boat while fishing down in Lafitte (I do not know anyone who did not learn to swim that way). I used to know French may che. I raised alligators taken from the nest after wrestling mom for fun. And I used to have this great Cajun accent when I was the waterboy for the football team.

My name is Loyd Bourgeois. And while that is not exactly my life story, it is...

Mr. Berg’s practice has an emphasis on commercial litigation and arbitration, including securities litigation and arbitration. He represents individual and institutional investors, public pension funds and hedge funds in investment disputes with investment banks and brokerage firms in state and federal court, and in arbitration before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Mr. Berg also represents businesses and individuals in complex commercial litigation matters, including derivative suits and claims involving unfair trade practices, fraud, negligence and breaches of fiduciary duties by managers, directors and officers of corporations. In addition to his commercial litigation practice, Mr. Berg has also represented many...

Robert Hallack is the principal of Hallack Law Offices in Baton Rouge. In 1989, he earned his J.D. degree, cum laude, at Southern University Law Center. He was also Associate Editor of the Southern University Law Review by virtue of his article, "Louisiana's Comparative Fault Doctrine and the Mitigation of Damages," which was cited by the Louisiana Supreme Court. During his last year of studies, Mr. Hallack was awarded the West Publishing Award for Scholastic Achievement. Since 1989, he has devoted his practice to personal injury and wrongful death cases, including vehicle accidents, medical negligence, nursing home negligence, professional...

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...

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....

Matt Smith is an associate in the Baton Rouge office of Kean Miller. He joined the firm in 2013 and practices in the commercial litigation, toxic tort defense, and environmental litigation groups. His work focuses on the representation of oil and gas exploration and production companies, mid-stream companies, and other industry companies in various litigation matters including property damage and contamination, property rights, and commercial and contractual disputes.

Matt has extensive experience guiding clients through claims related to soil contamination, groundwater contamination, air pollution, and the associated regulatory standards. His practice covers a wide range of commercial and litigation issues ranging...

Kyle Polozola is a partner in the Lafayette office of Kean Miller. He practices in the oil and gas, business and corporate, and real estate groups. Kyle has more than 21 years of experience handling complex oil and gas and commercial litigation disputes, environmental litigation, oil and gas transactional matters, including mineral title examination, due diligence, acquisition and sale of oil and gas properties, and energy regulatory matters. He represents lenders and business interests in commercial real estate matters, and assists clients with a variety of corporate and business transactional matters.

Following law school, Kyle clerked for the Hon. Catherine D....

Mack Gregorie is a partner in the Baton Rouge office of Kean Miller. He joined the firm in 1984 and has extensive experience in all types of business and corporate transactions, including complex commercial and industrial real estate matters and finance. Mack represents major international petrochemical clients, worldwide energy producers, banks and financial institutions, buyers and sellers, landlords and tenants, and lenders. A Certified Public Accountant, Mack lectures frequently on real estate topics such as sales, leases, property law, purchase and sale agreements, and recent developments in real estate law. He is also a title agent for First American Title...

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...

Jack E. Morris provides professional legal services to clients throughout Louisiana. Engaged in civil litigation and counseling in the areas of appellate law, insurance law, real estate and property law, construction law, business and commercial law, and intellectual property law, Mr. Morris represents a diverse clientele including large and small businesses as well as individuals. Mr. Morris has represented clients before state and federal courts at every level, including the Louisiana Supreme Court and United States Supreme Court, and also before various arbitration and mediation forums. Practice Areas: Appeals and writ applications* Property and liability insurance claims and litigation Real estate and property transactions...

Craig Mordock is a veteran criminal defense attorney in New Orleans. He was named one of top 100 criminal defense lawyers in Louisiana by the National Trial Lawyers Association, selected by Super Lawyers as a Top Criminal Defense Attorney, as a Top Lawyer in the Global Directory of Who’s Who, a Top Criminal Defense and DUI Attorney by Expertise and a Top Defense Attorney by New Orleans Magazine Craig Mordock is an experienced New Orleans criminal defense attorney with over 20 years of experience. Craig solely focuses on criminal defense providing him with in-depth knowledge of each type of crime...

Chelsea Gomez Caswell is an associate in the Baton Rouge office of Kean Miller. She joined the firm in 2013 and practices in the labor and employment and litigation groups. She represents employers in a variety of labor and employment matters in state and federal courts and before the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and the Louisiana Commission on Human Rights (LCHR), including EEOC charges; discrimination, harassment, and retaliation litigation; litigation of disputes related to non-competition agreements; and wage and hour claims. Chelsea assists clients with employee handbooks, company policies, employment contracts, and in day-to-day counseling. She has...

Jenny graduated from the Loyola University College of Law, and earned her undergraduate degree from Our Lady of Holy Cross College. Jenny began her bankruptcy practice in 2011 as the Law Office of Jenny Abshier. Jenny's office took great pride in providing options to reduce the upfront costs required for filing bankruptcy, as well as providing access to pro bono services when available. As Jenny's reputation grew, so did her practice. Jenny has partnered with two similar minded attorneys to form the Big Easy Law Group in order to further spread her beliefs in compassion and accessibility...

Jeffrey P. Berniard received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance at McNeese State University, in Lake Charles, Louisiana in 2001 and received his Juris Doctorate degree at Loyola University New Orleans School of Law in 2004. Jeffrey opted to study in the state of Louisiana, his home, in order to stay close and stay connected to the state he loves and the state he grew up in.

Immediately following his graduation, Jeffrey Berniard was admitted to practice law in the state of Louisiana, including being able to practice in the Eastern, Western, and Middle Districts of Louisianaís U.S. District...

I am a successful Louisiana Intellectual Property attorney. My practice includes comprehensive representation for Trademark, Patent, Copyright and Trade Secret matters. A Registered Patent Attorney, I am licensed to practice in the United States Patent & Trademark Office, as well as Louisiana, California and Hawaii courts.

I am committed to providing exceptional service and legal representation for IP matters across a broad range of technologies. I vigorously advocate for the rights and interests of my clients, intent on the best possible outcomes.

With extensive experience and knowledge, I teach Patent Law at Louisiana State University Law Center. I have been honored among...

Stephen Babcock was born and raised in Ruston, LA and is an active and passionate member of the Baton Rouge community. Originally studying as a title lawyer at Louisiana State University’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center, it didn't take long for Stephen to realize that he wanted to become a trial lawyer. It wasn't long until he graduated with a law degree and became a Bar member in 2000. The firm that would become Babcock Injury Lawyers would follow soon after in 2003.

The attorneys behind Babcock Injury Lawyers are experienced and dedicated to improving the lives of local accident...

Lou Grossman is a partner in the New Orleans office of Kean Miller and practices in the environmental litigation, energy, and appellate groups. Since being admitted to practice in 2003, he has handled complex disputes involving the energy and petrochemical industries, including toxic tort claims, environmental damage claims, and commercial litigation. In addition, Lou has handled the appeals of numerous high-profile legal issues at the trial and appellate court level. He is listed in Louisiana Super Lawyers as a Rising Star for 2013 and 2014. Lou was admitted to the Colorado Bar in 2015, and was listed as a Rising...

Amanda Howard Lowe is a partner in the New Orleans office of Kean Miller. She joined the firm in 2009 and practices in the admiralty and maritime, energy and corporate litigation groups. Amanda has considerable experience in a wide variety of admiralty issues, including Jones Act and personal injury defense, maritime litigation, oil and gas exploration, drilling accidents, well blowouts, cargo damage, ship collisions, ship allusions, vessel groundings, lift board and jack-up rig accidents, vessel mortgage filings, product liability, redhibition, as well as premises liability, construction defect litigation and general personal injury litigation. Amanda's experience also includes assisting clients in...

André Bélanger, a graduate of Loyola University, is a highly-respected criminal defense attorney serving the people of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and surrounding areas of Ascension Parish and New Orleans, for one of Baton Rouge's top-25 law firms. In his 15 years of practicing law, Mr. Bélanger has handled thousands of criminal cases at both the pre-trial and trial stage, including approximately 200 trials. This trial experience includes homicide defense and prosecution, large drug conspiracies and fraud cases making Belanger one of the few attorneys capable of handling even the largest, most complex federal cases. Having spent...

When Kurt Arnold represents someone, he’s all in. He’s won billions for his clients. In fact, he has recovered more than $1 billion in a single year multiple times and shattered records with his historic verdicts and settlements. He has helped clients recover losses after major maritime disasters such as the Deepwater Horizon and the El Faro. For Kurt, no fight is too difficult or complicated. He refuses to take “no” for an answer. When something bad happens, Kurt fights for his clients, no matter what. He never backs down, no matter how big the challenge. Kurt co-founded Arnold & Itkin...

As a partner at Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas LLP (SSEK Law Firm), Kirk G. Smith focuses his practice on securities law. Representing individual and institutional investors against banks, brokerage firms and trust companies, Mr. Smith generally handles cases involving issues such as retirement losses, broker and brokerage firm misconduct, investment derivatives, fraud and financial product failures. He serves clients throughout the U.S.

Before earning a Juris Doctor from the South Texas College of Law Houston, Mr. Smith attended Loyola University New Orleans. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts.

Previously working as an investment advisor for a large brokerage firm and...

Ellen put herself through both undergraduate and law school. She a married, mother of two. Both her husband and daughter are also attorneys as are a nephew, father-in-law, 3 brothers-in-law and one brother-in-law who was elected judge. She was drawn to the areas of family law, criminal defense and plaintiff personal injury and has never changed course. She has practiced in Ascension, East Baton Rouge Jefferson, Livingston, Orleans, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington Parishes for her entire 28 years of legal experience including, Amite, Baton Rouge, Chalmette, Covington, Denham Springs, Franklinton, Gonzales, Gretna, Hammond,...

We do things differently from other lawyers. We don't just give you a stack of documents. We advise and guide you to the best possible outcome for your family when you can't be there for them yourself. Our firm represents Louisiana families and individuals on matters involving estate planning, succession, probate, wills, trusts, and long-term care planning. We help you make the best planning decisions for your family and ensure that the estate plan you create with us will work when your loved ones need it most. Our team includes an expert estate planning attorney with 20+ years of experience in wills, trusts...

Beau practices in his own private law firm of Brock & Palmintier Law, LLC, and his main areas of focus include criminal law, family law, environmental law, DWI and car accidents. Previously, he worked at the private law firm of Manasseh, Gill, Knipe & Belanger from 2011-2019. Before entering private practice, he was employed at LDEQ as a member of the Secretary’s Executive Staff from 2008-2011. From March 1999–Feb. 2008, he worked as Regional Criminal Enforcement Council for the Environmental Protection Agency, and provided in-house legal oversight to all Federal criminal investigations conducted in Louisiana by the EPA-Criminal...

Jason is one of the nation's top trial lawyers for one reason: when he represents a client, he's all in. No matter how tough the fight. No matter how big the challenge. When it matters most, he's there for people who have been wronged. He takes every case personally, treating each client like family while he fights to rebuild their lives.

When people need to win, they call Jason. He's won several verdicts and settlements worth more than $100 million, dozens of results worth more than $10 million, and more than 200 results worth $1 million or more. In total,...

Trippe Hawthorne is a partner in the Baton Rouge office of Kean Miller. He joined the firm in 2004 and practices in the construction, ADR and business litigation groups. Trippe has experience in all phases of the construction industry and in a wide variety of commercial litigation, and general litigation matters, including design and construction contracting and dispute resolution across all sectors, including industrial, commercial, public, and residential; public bidding and procurement challenges; and public and private works lien laws. Trippe has experience with administrative law and occupational licensing law, having served as General Counsel for the Louisiana State Licensing...

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...