Pioneer Lawyers

Rob was born in Traverse City, MI and raised in El Paso, TX. He is a graduate of Tulane University in New Orleans and Loyola University of Chicago School of Law. Rob enjoys fishing, reading, golf and automobile racing. He loves to cook with his family and is an avid Major League Baseball and NFL fan.

EDUCATION
Tulane University – B.A. English
Loyola University Chicago School of Law – J.D.
Frankfurt International School
ROB’S LEGAL ASSISTANTS
Magdalene Bedi
Eyona Nelson

MEMBER
Colorado Bar Association
Louisiana Bar Association
New Orleans Bar Association
Mississippi Bar Association

ADMITTED TO PRACTICE LAW IN
Colorado
Louisiana
Mississippi

Melvin Albritton obtained a degree in Political Economy from Tulane University. He was also the recipient of a Louisiana Legislative Scholarship. During his time at Tulane he was chosen to represent Tulane at American University’s Washington Semester. After college Mr. Albritton worked for an Internet startup, “babygift.com” drafting copy for the online catalog. In 1999 he was awarded the Wiener, Weiss & Madison Merit Scholarship Award to Tulane Law School. In law school, Mr. Albritton was selected to join the Ruby Vale Appellate Moot Court Team, which focuses on the area of corporate law. In addition, he wrote on to...

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.

Jeremy Pichon has never been a stranger to the meaning of hard work.

By age fourteen, he spent his summers framing houses in the hot Louisiana sun. By sixteen, he worked the Sears stockroom while going to school full time. By nineteen, he joined the military reserves and followed in the footsteps of his brothers, father, and grandfather whose service stretches from WWI to Operation Iraqi Freedom.

These were the three pillars of his early life, and they remain the foundation of his work as a seasoned personal injury lawyer representing those whose lives have been tragically altered and whose...

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...

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...

Glenn Orgeron is of counsel to the New Orleans office of Kean Miller and a Registered Professional Engineer. He practices in the construction and litigation groups. Glenn has over 25 years of experience in complex construction law matters, mold litigation, and product liability litigation in state and federal courts.

Glenn is a Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) in the United States Marine Corps. He has served in a variety of legal positions for the United States Marine Corps, including assignments as Deputy General Counsel, Assistant General Counsel, and General Counsel in wide range of jurisdictions including Hawaii, Japan, the Indian Ocean, Washington, D.C.,...

Mitchell J. Hoffman earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Tulane University. He received his JD in 1976. He has been in private practice since that time representing individuals and companies throughout the Greater New Orleans area. Over the years, Mr. Hoffman developed an expertise in family law and his practice now includes significant involvement in divorce, custody, community property issues, pre and post-nuptial agreements, partitions and a host of other family law related matters. Mr. Hoffman also has experience trying cases involving insurance defense, mergers and acquisitions, corporate and business law, and general litigation. He qualified to become...

In 2005, Gregory S. Marsiglia joined Lowe, Stein, Hoffman, Allweiss & Hauver, LLP, having practiced law in New Orleans since 1997 in a variety of commercial, corporate, and general civil litigation, and in a variety of corporate, real estate, and business transactions. Mr. Marsiglia also advises corporate and commercial clients on formation and planning issues, internal governance, in a variety of contractual matters. His construction litigation and contracting practice has been a steady and significant portion of the practice during the past ten years, as has general commercial litigation for clients in other industries. Mr. Marsiglia also has...

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...

I focus my practice on business, corporate, and real estate matters. My experience includes representing and offering operational advice, reviewing and drafting contracts, and providing general transactional support to a diverse array of both domestic and international companies across various industries and sizes. I particularly enjoy collaborating with young entrepreneurs to help bring their visions to life. I take pride in guiding start-ups and emerging businesses through crucial growth phases, from entity formation and structuring to navigating mergers, acquisitions, and real estate transactions. I am passionate about delivering strategic, practical advice that enables entrepreneurs to achieve their goals and establish a...

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.

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...

Claire Juneau is a partner in the New Orleans office of Kean Miller. She joined the firm in 2011 and practices in the litigation group, including energy and petrochemical, oil field legacy sites, and appeals.

Prior to joining the firm, Claire served as a Law Clerk to Supreme Court Associate Justice Jeffery Victory. She also served as a judicial intern to First Circuit Court of Appeal Judge Randolph Parro.

Claire received her B.A., summa cum laude, in 2007 from Louisiana State University. Claire received her J.D., magna cum laude, in 2010 from the LSU Law Center where she was a member of...

Reed K. Kreger is an attorney at Broussard & David, LLC whose practice focuses on serious personal injury and wrongful death cases involving 18-wheeler and automobile accidents, premises liability, and general injury law. Reed is a proud graduate of the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. After graduation, Reed studied at the Paul M. Hebert LSU Law Center, obtaining her Juris Doctorate. Before she began representing plaintiffs, Reed clerked for the honorable Judge Jason D. Meche of the 27th Judicial District Court in Opelousas, Louisiana. Reed’s practice is devoted to helping those who have been seriously...

Matthew D. Lane, Jr. is committed to helping the citizens of Acadiana and Louisiana whose claims for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) have been denied. Disability law is all we do. And we have assisted hundreds of people obtain the Social Security benefits they deserve. The disability appeal process is long and complex, and when you are injured, sick, or severely depressed, it can be simply overwhelming. Matthew D. Lane, Jr. has the experience and tenacity to advocate for you at all levels of the disability appeal process, including Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)...

Gayla Moncla is a partner in the Baton Rouge office of Kean Miller and practices in the areas of toxic tort and environmental litigation, premises liability, and commercial litigation. She has more than 25 years of experience in the chemical and petrochemical industries, defending workplace accidents, chemical exposure cases, products liability cases, as well as advising clients regarding workplace safety issues and OSHA regulations. Gayla also has experience in retail premises litigation having defended retail clients for over 25 years.

Gayla earned her B.S. from Louisiana State University in 1973. She earned her J.D. in 1989 from the LSU Law Center...

Troy Charpentier is a dedicated and experienced Louisiana Attorney. He joined Kean Miller in 1996, where he works with the Litigation Group in the Baton Rouge office. Troy has successfully represented local, regional and national clients in an array of legal disputes. His practice areas include General Commercial Litigation such as Contract Claims, Lease Disputes and Landlord/Tenant matters. Additionally, Troy advocates for clients with Pipeline Permitting and Incident Response before the Department of Natural Resources. He has extensive experience in Pipeline Expropriation projects. Troy is committed to providing outstanding service and the best possible outcomes.

Troy received a B.A. from Louisiana...

John Funderburk is a partner in the Baton Rouge office of Kean Miller and practices in the litigation and construction groups. He represents clients in energy, commercial, environmental, transportation, and construction litigation in both state and federal courts. Prior to joining the firm, John practiced with a global law firm from its Houston, Texas office.

John has represented both individuals and corporations in complex environmental litigation, contract disputes, maritime actions, personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits, deceptive trade practices claims, and oilfield contamination litigation. In addition, he coordinates with clients and experts to respond quickly to accidents and incidents across the...

Bob Hawthorne is of counsel to the Baton Rouge office of Kean Miller. He is one of the founding members of the firm and practices in the estate planning and probate, business and corporate, and real estate groups. Bob represents clients in the finance, acquisition, construction, purchase, refinancing, management, leasing and sale of various types of real estate developments, both commercial and residential, including office buildings, shopping malls, manufacturing facilities, retail centers, industrial facilities, and commercial developments.

Bob advises business and corporate clients with regard to commercial lending transactions, financings, and the structure and formation of corporate entities. He has extensive...

Melissa Hemmans is an experienced Litigation Attorney in Kean Millers's Baton Rouge office. Her practice includes Petrochemical, Manufacturing, Municipal, Civil Rights Defense, Oil and Gas, and Local Business matters. She has extensive experience with cases involving Toxic Tort and Environmental claims. Melissa is dedicated to providing clients with creative solutions, unique strategies, and unparalleled value.

In 1996, Melissa received her B.A. from Louisiana State University. She obtained her J.D. from the LSU Law Center in 1999. Melissa is admitted to practice law in the State of Louisiana, United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, United States District Courts for the Eastern,...

Ben Jumonville is an associate in the Baton Rouge office of Kean Miller.

Richard McConnell is a partner in the Baton Rouge office of Kean Miller. He is trial counsel for energy and financial companies in high stakes lawsuits involving a wide variety of claims. Prior cases involved soil and groundwater contamination, wetlands loss, toxic tort exposure, lost mineral leasing opportunities, mineral lease cancellation, pipeline right-of-way claims, expropriation/condemnation, and commercial litigation. Richard also serves as appellate counsel arguing before state and federal appellate courts.

Richard’s recent experience includes obtaining a successful verdict as trial counsel for national pipeline companies in a wetlands loss lawsuit involving canals that widened over time, he was lead...

Matthew Meiners is a partner in the Baton Rouge office of Kean Miller. He joined the firm in 2009 and practices in the business and corporate group. Matthew has experience in the drafting and negotiation of numerous industrial service and purchase agreements. He also has experience representing numerous individuals and small businesses in connection with acquisitions and divestitures of their respective businesses and with formation of new entities, including drafting organizational documents and planning of overall corporate structure.

Matthew earned his B.S. in International Trade and Finance with a minor in Economics from Louisiana State University in 1998. He earned his...

Randy Cangelosi is a partner in the Baton Rouge office of Kean Miller. He practices in the litigation group. Randy represents clients in complex products liability, general litigation, commercial and business litigation, environmental litigation, healthcare issues and related business disputes, medical malpractice defense, telecommunications law and litigation, trademark and intellectual property claims, and personal injury defense. He has trial experience in products liability defense and large commercial litigation matters. He also has experience in NORM, TERM and asbestos cases in the energy industry. Randy also has served client's needs on a national level, obtaining various admissions to the bar in...

Shane Sandefer is a partner in the Baton Rouge office of Kean Miller. He practices in the business transactions and environmental law groups and is a Registered Professional Engineer. Shane represents local, regional, and national clients in a variety of real estate, finance, and environmental matters including, industrial and commercial real estate transactions, title insurance matters, general preparation and negotiation, regulatory proceedings, wetlands permitting, wetlands mitigation, and state and federal environmental advice. Prior to law school, Shane was a project engineer for Turner Environmental and a senior staff engineer for URS. He also served as an assistant project manager for...