Kenner Lawyers

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....

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...

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...

Richard P. Voorhies III founded The Voorhies Law Firm in 2012. Before starting his own firm, Richard earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Lafayette, received a Juris Doctor from Loyola School of Law, and served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Dee D. Drell in the Western District of Louisiana. He is an active member of the Louisiana State Bar association and licensed to practice in every court in the state. If needed, Richard can also practice before District Courts in Louisiana and the United States Court of Appeals. With experience in...

A graduate of Tulane University School of Law, an avid gardener, and a history buff, Louis lives in New Orleans, Louisiana. He enjoys speaking French and is an advocate for French language and culture in Louisiana. Bringing more than 50 years of legal experience to the table, Louis R. Koerner, Jr. can assist you with complex litigation and appeals related to maritime and personal injury cases. Certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization.

Jim Silverstein practices in the areas of admiralty and maritime, products liability, energy, construction and environmental law.

Jim has extensive litigation experience, and has successfully defended clients in cases involving various aspects of maritime, admiralty, energy, and oil and gas law. He also maintains an active practice successfully defending manufacturers in product liability cases. He has defended cases involving numerous products, including ladders, electrical motors, fans, table saws, radial arm saws, planers, power tools, cranes and pumps. He has also successfully defended and prosecuted cases in the commercial litigation field.

Jim is an accomplished trial lawyer and is listed in Louisiana Super...

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...

I started Mitchell & Associates because I wanted to be able to do more for my clients. Up until that point I worked at a prestigious law firm representing big, corporate and insurance industry type clients. My job was to defend them at all cost, even when they were wrong. I did my job, and I did my job well. In 1999 I walked out of the Firm with one file, a case where my client was seriously hurt in a car accident, determined to practice law the way I wanted to and for the clients I wanted...

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...

Peter Diiorio began his career as an attorney in 2005 by handling hundreds of first-party insurance claims following Hurricane Katrina. One month before Katrina, Mr. Diiorio sat for the 2005 Louisiana bar exam in the Superdome of New Orleans, and he began handling property insurance claims as an attorney two months later. Today, Mr. Diiorio continues to focus his law practice on representing homeowners and small businesses in first-party insurance claims, with an emphasis on bad faith claims against insurers. If someone has been wronged by an insurance company, or has an insurance problem they can’t handle, Mr. Diiorio works tirelessly...

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,...

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....

Samuel Ford is a dedicated consumer attorney, protecting the rights of consumers in Louisiana, the gulf coast, and throughout the nation. Samuel's practice is focused on providing individuals relief from relentless debt collectors who use abusive and illegal tactics to squeeze money out of hard-working Americans. Prior to joining Varadi, Hair & Checki, Samuel was a defense attorney for creditors and debt collectors, witnessing first-hand the injurious methods utilized by these corporations and learning the best ways to fight back against them. If you are receiving calls or letters from a debt collector, have been sued on a debt, or...

Jill Gautreaux is special counsel to the New Orleans office of Kean Miller. She joined the firm in 2015 and practices in the real estate, business, and commercial litigation groups. Jill assists clients with corporate matters, real estate, liquor licensing, and business transactions in the hospitality, technology, retail, and professional services sectors. She handles corporate transactional matters including business formation, buy/sell agreements, mergers and acquisitions, and dissolution/liquidation. Jill also represents individuals and companies in contractual disputes and shareholder litigation in Federal and State courts.

She helps her clients in a wide variety of legal and transactional matters including leases, sales, mortgages,...

Jeffrey Hoffman first joined Lowe Stein in 2004 as an associate attorney. His success and hard work earned him the title of partner in 2013. As a New Orleans family law attorney, Mr. Hoffman has a comprehensive understanding of the complications involved with domestic disputes. He can litigate and negotiate matters such as custody, spousal support, child support, prenuptial agreements, community property partitions, and more. Mr. Hoffman has had tremendous success in litigating child custody jurisdiction cases. In 2013, his dedication in family law earned him recognition as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers® Magazine and he has maintained...

Jon Bethune’s extensive knowledge and resolute style of litigation makes him one of the most sought-after independent attorneys in Louisiana. Jon has tried countless cases on both the State and Federal level all the way from initial consult through trial. His award-winning practice has garnered him both local and national attention, as well as received extremely high client satisfaction ratings. Jon Bethune is licensed to practice law in Louisiana, and specializes in Personal Injury and Family Law litigation. Our insistence on providing excellent communication between Jon Bethune and his clients sets us apart from...

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...

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...

Jeff’s practice includes representing major international oil and gas companies in a broad range of high-stakes lawsuits, primarily involving allegations that soil, sediment, groundwater, drinking water, and other types of environmental contamination were caused by oil and gas exploration and production activities. He has extensive experience drafting motions and briefs in federal and state courts at both the trial and appellate levels.

Prior to joining the firm in 2016, Jeff served as a law clerk for the Honorable Carl J. Barbier, of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, where he assisted in the disposition of numerous...

Laura Buck is an associate attorney at Phelps Dunbar LLP. Laura is particularly experienced in immigration law, having practiced in the immigration section of the Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic and Center for Social Justice before joining the firm. Laura is the Co-Founder and member of the Immigration Law Member Section of the Louisiana State Bar Association. She is also a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Laura focuses on all areas of immigration law with a particular emphasis on employment based immigration.

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...

Thomas Flanagan is a founding partner of Flanagan Partners LLP, a twelve-lawyer firm in downtown New Orleans. He concentrates his practice in commercial litigation and civil appeals in the state and federal courts of Louisiana. The firm also represents clients in the areas of insurance coverage, employment, construction, and maritime disputes. Go to www.flanaganpartners.com for more information.

Alan G. Brackett is a Founder and Member of Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand & Brackett, one of the leading defense law firms in southeastern Louisiana. As a founding member, Alan has overseen the growth of MBLB as it has tripled in size. The firm has expanded from handling maritime, workers’ compensation and insurance defense work to developing and expanding their workers’ compensation practice, which is now nationwide, handling state workers’ compensation matters statewide, and adding a trucking and transportation practice. Alan has decades of experience in maritime personal injury defense and litigates claims nationwide for large corporations and insurance companies, including...

Christopher H. Carbine is a New Orleans lawyer who practices criminal defense and civil litigation at the highest level in both state and federal courts.
Mr. Carbine provides an aggressive criminal defense with a focus on achieving his clients’ goals and maintaining a personal, informed relationship with his clients through each stage of the process. Mr. Carbine is experienced in handling all types of cases on both the state and federal levels, and his attention to detail has been extremely beneficial for clients faced with complex criminal matters involving unconstitutional and illegal police actions such as 4th Amendment Violations, Illegal Searches...

David A. Martinez is a highly experienced commercial and residential real estate and title insurance attorney. David's practice areas include title examinations, title insurance law and secured transactions. He is highly respected for his legal acumen and approach to resolving a client’s issue in a practical way, qualities that have attributed to him being recognized by his peers as one of the top real estate attorneys in New Orleans through his inclusion in Best Lawyers in America. David coordinates title insurance for numerous commercial and residential transactions, including hotels, office buildings, shopping centers, convenience store chains, and multi-state sales and loan...

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...

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...

Malveau Law Firm, L.L.C. provides legal representation for clients with Criminal, Family, Juvenile, Personal Injury, Traffic & Municipal matters in the New Orleans metropolitan area.

Randy Opotowsky is a highly experienced real estate attorney and commercial litigator, who is held in high regard by his colleagues in New Orleans. He has more than 44 years of experience in residential and commercial real estate law, and business and corporate law, including 25 years as a litigator. His practice areas include residential and commercial closings, condominium creation and conversion, multi-family and subdivision development, and representation of condominium homeowner associations. Randy has developed a reputation for providing high quality legal counsel to condominium owners, developers and associations in condominium conversions of existing buildings, condominium collections, ground-up condominium development,...

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...

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...