Akers Employment Lawyers

Charles Stiegler is an experienced labor and employment attorney who has fought cases involving allegations of discrimination, retaliation, and unpaid wages in state and federal courts throughout the country.  After graduating with honors from LSU law school, Mr. Stiegler worked for high-end law firms based in Silicon Valley and New York City before starting his own practice here in New Orleans, Louisiana.

He specializes his practice in claims of unpaid overtime, unpaid wages, and unpaid commissions, but also practices in all other aspects of employment law including non-compete agreements, trade secret claims, False Claims Act lawsuits, and claims involving workplace...

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 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...

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...

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...

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)....

Check out my website: www.iaslawllc.com.

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...

Zoë Vermeulen is a partner in the New Orleans office of Kean Miller. She joined the firm in 2012 and practices in the admiralty and maritime practice group, as well as the labor and employment group.

Zoë earned her B.A. in Public Relations from Louisiana State University in 2008. She earned her J.D., magna cum laude, in 2012 from Tulane University Law School, where she was a member of the Order of the Coif and Moot Court Board.

Kenneth L. Tolar focuses primarily on general intellectual property matters including patent, trademark and copyright prosecution, intellectual property litigation and licensing on behalf of both corporations and independent inventors nationwide, patentability and trademark availability opinions, inter partes practice before both the Patent Trial and Appeal Board and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board; during his career, he has secured over 350 patents on behalf of independent and corporate inventors.

Mr. Tolar also engages in general commercial litigation, insurance defense, labor disputes arising under The Fair Labor Standards Act, personal injury and first-party insurance claims.

Marynell Piglia exudes confidence in her practice and epitomizes the effectiveness of hard work and tenacity. Practicing civil litigation, family law, and employment law, she represents clients in matters such as discrimination, sexual harassment, workers’ compensation, divorce, and related family law matters. Ms. Piglia earned her undergraduate degree from Southeastern Louisiana University, magna cum laud. She was the recipient of a President’s Medal for Academic Excellence. She went on to receive her law degree from Loyola University, where she served on the Loyola Law Review, as chair of the Moot Court Board, and a member of the Moot Court teaching...

Licensed to practice in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, Justin Chopin is the owner and managing attorney of The Chopin Law Firm LLC. Born and raised in New Orleans, Justin is thoroughly familiar with the legal challenges that individuals and businesses face along the Gulf Coast. The firm represents individuals who have suffered personal injury, as well as small businesses. Prior to founding his own firm, Justin worked for one of the largest defense firms in America, as well as for some of the most highly regarded regional firms.

Jeff Greenberg founded the Greenberg Law Firm in New Orleans, Louisiana to help victims of personal injury and employment violations.

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...

Jacob K. Weixler is a dedicated attorney who represents clients in federal criminal proceedings, civil lawsuits, and professional disciplinary proceedings. He also provides counsel on business law matters. He has represented a diverse range of clients facing various challenges, including defending the first amendment rights of a national civil rights figure, assisting a former military official facing fraud and conspiracy charges, fighting for the rights of cheated investors, and seeking justice for incarcerated individuals. Prior to establishing Weixler Law LLC, Jacob gained valuable experience as an attorney at Schonekas Evans McGoey & McEachin, LLC, a respected New Orleans-based boutique law firm...

Brad’s practice utilizes the Master of Business Administration he earned in addition to his Juris Doctor. In addition to representing businesses of all kinds, he practices many different areas of law, performing both transactional work and litigation. Brad’s trust and estate practice covers everything from simple wills and successions to complex trusts and advanced estate planning. As part of his real estate practice, he is a title agent for Gulf Title Corporation, which is an agent for First American Title Insurance Company of Louisiana. Brad’s collection practice specializes in purchased debt. He also litigates many labor and employment matters and...

Christopher L. Williams focuses his practice on complex employment litigation, including cases involving violations of wage-and-hour laws, employment discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, unpaid wages, breach of contract, whistleblower claims, and non-compete issues. After working for some of the nation’s largest labor-and-employment law firms, he opened his own practice in 2014 to concentrate on protecting the rights of workers and employees. Mr. Williams draws on his previous experience representing employers to provide legal advice to individuals regarding potential claims and legal remedies under state and federal employment laws. Mr. Williams has litigated a wide variety of employment issues in...

I was born and raised in Lafayette, Louisiana, living there until I was 21 years old, when I moved to New Orleans for law school. I have vivid memories of being a child and arguing with my father – who is a lawyer – about something, and after I had made my point, he would stare at me silently, then look down, shake his head, and say “gosh you’d be a good lawyer.” And because of that, I just always knew I was going to go to law school. I tried to stray from that path a few times – my...

Patrick L. McCune practices between the Baton Rouge and Shreveport offices of Wiener, Weiss & Madison. He engages in a broad legal practice, including a variety of commercial litigation matters in both state and federal courts, with a particular emphasis on creditor’s rights and litigation in bankruptcy court.

Patrick is licensed to practice law in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida, and has appeared in courts in each of these states to represent the interests of his clients.

An honors graduate of LSU law school, the recipient of a Master of Business Administration and a former manager at a non-profit in New York...

Reid is an experienced Litigation Attorney at Wiener, Weiss & Madison. He is dedicated to representing individuals and businesses in a variety of legal disputes. His practice areas include Commercial, Property, Insurance, and Construction Law matters. Reid brings extensive experience, knowledge and skill to advocate for your legal needs.

In 2009, Reid received his B.S. from the University of Texas at Austin. He obtained his J.D. from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University in 2012. Reid practices in both Federal and Louisiana State Courts. His jurisdictions include the State of Louisiana, United States Court of Appeals for...

The Law Office of Natalie Blackman is dedicated to helping individuals understand their rights and explore their legal options when it comes to Employment Discrimination, Criminal Defense, Civil Rights, and Personal Injury. The office represents clients throughout Louisiana. Our Attorney, Natalie Blackman, Esq., has the skills and resources to handle all aspects of your case from start to finish.

Natalie Blackman is a native of Avoyelles Parish. She is known for her strong work ethic and dedication in fighting for the greater good of her community. She graduated from Avoyelles High school in 2000. She graduated from...

Roy’s law practice includes entertainment law (primarily television, film and music), contracts, transactional work, advising and forming business entities, intellectual property litigation, personal injury litigation and other complex litigation matters. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana State University and his Juris Doctorate degree from Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 1986. Roy served five terms as a member of the Board of Governors of the Louisiana Association of Justice and served two terms on the Professionalism Committee for the Louisiana State Bar Association. He has also chaired and served on numerous Baton Rouge Bar...