Empire Business Lawyers

Ciolino & Onstott provides high-quality, cost-effective outside general counsel services to individuals and small to medium-sized businesses in Louisiana and across the United States. We represent clients across various industries, including niche areas such as real estate, construction, entertainment, medical marijuana, and non-profit.

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...

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...

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...

Attorney Mark Glago graduated from the University of Richmond in Virginia with Phi Beta Kappa honors, having triple-majored in Political Science, Speech and Sociology. He was the University’s Rhodes Scholar nominee and received the “Most Outstanding Graduate” award. At the Tulane University School of Law, he was Managing Editor of the Tulane Law Review and again graduated with honors. Over the past 17 years, Mr. Glago has handled over 2,500 cases and been the “first-chair” lawyer for over 160 trials in Louisiana courts. He has built a respected, full-service law firm devoted to recovering compensation for clients in a range...

Tod Everage is a partner in the New Orleans office of Kean Miller. He joined the firm in 2011 and practices in the Offshore Energy and Maritime Litigation Practice Group. Tod’s practice primarily involves representing oil and gas operators (offshore, midstream, and onshore) and their service providers and contractors in litigation in both state and federal courts. Tod has gained extensive experience representing vessel owners, shipyards, and diesel engine service providers in warranty claims. Tod’s practice also includes assisting clients in contract review, drafting, negotiations, transactional disputes, and general corporate advices. Tod has tried several cases to verdict as well...

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,...

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...

David Halpern is a partner in the New Orleans office of Kean Miller. He joined the firm in 2015 and practices in the business, real estate, and commercial litigation groups. David has over 30 years of legal and business experience, and assists clients with a variety of legal, corporate, and land use matters. His clients include national, regional, and local businesses, real estate developers, bars and restaurants, and New Orleans area businesses. His practice includes land use issues, zoning ordinances, mergers and acquisitions, and transactions. He also serves on governmental advisory boards and represents businesses and individuals before regulatory authorities.

David...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

Check out my website: www.iaslawllc.com.

Mr. Douglas obtained his Juris Doctor with a certification in taxation from Loyola University College of Law in 2011. While studying for his degree, he interned at Lowe Stein, joining as an attorney in 2012. Mr. Douglas’ practice areas include commercial transactions and litigation, with a majority of his practice devoted to trust and estate planning and administration, tax exempt organizations, and tax planning and controversy. Mr. Douglas has successfully settled a contested succession with $1 Million paid to Lowe Stein’s clients, organized a regional magazine and obtained a 501(c)(3) for an American fundraising arm of a Thai nonprofit organization....

Adam Young grew up in Abbeville, Louisiana and attended Tulane University School of Law, earning his Juris Doctor degree in 2005. Following graduation, Adam worked for law firms and companies in the Oil & Gas industry in Louisiana, gaining business law experience that he has transferred to his own practice. He has experience in bankruptcy law, in which he focuses on complex bankruptcy situations. Adam is a member of the Bankruptcy Section of the Louisiana Bar Association, as well as the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. Additionally, he has extensive experience representing clients in divorce and family law cases,...

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...

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.,...

Julie Silbert is special counsel in the New Orleans office of Kean Miller. She joined the firm in 1994 and practices in the environmental law and commercial litigation groups. Julie has extensive experience in the Louisiana energy, petrochemical and manufacturing industry and works with clients regarding litigation strategy and litigation management. She has experience in litigation involving complex commercial matters, casualty, toxic mold, NORM litigation, and environmental contamination.

Julie earned her B.A., summa cum laude, from Tulane University. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from Tulane University Law School in 1984. Julie was a recipient of a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship...

Chauvin Kean is an associate in the New Orleans office of Kean Miller. He joined the firm in 2015 and practices in a variety of areas, including the business and corporate groups. Specifically, his practice areas includes: oil and gas transactions and litigation; admiralty and maritime litigation; international trade; acquisitions and divestitures; customs compliance; construction litigation; insurance coverage; and general and commercial litigation. He has experience with in a variety of issues, including Jones Act compliance, oil and gas exploration, pipeline construction, drilling incidents, well blowouts, cargo damage claims, ship and barge allisions, maritime liens, vessel and marine asset acquisitions,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Dually-licensed Attorney-CPA serving the tax planning & compliance, business law & planning, and accounting needs of domestic and foreign businesses, including their entrepreneurial owners. Currently owns and operates a multidisciplinary practice since 2012. Prior to 2012, spent over 10 years' professional experience within the "Big 4" global firms, including the Washington National Tax Office of one "Big 4" firm and the New York M&A-Transactions practice of another "Big 4" firm, having significant Director/Senior Manager-level experience. Licensed as both an Attorney (DC) and CPA (DC, FL, LA).

Dylan is an associate at Denechaud & Denechaud. He was born in Melbourne, Australia. Dylan graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne and earned a Juris Doctor cum laude and a Master of Arts from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. In law school, Dylan was a senior editor on law review and a moot court participant. Following law school, he clerked for the Honorable Donald E. Rysavy and the Honorable Fred W. Wellmann in Minnesota’s Third Judicial District. Dylan met his Covington-born wife while studying abroad in Germany. They live in New Orleans with...

Managing Partner Robert Steeg is highly respected for his handling of a wide variety of real estate transactions. He has assisted hundreds of clients with handling thousands of purchases, sales, loans and leases for all sizes and kinds of real estate throughout the southeast Louisiana region, including industrial, office, multi-family, and retail properties. Reflecting on his 40 years of experience, Rob points to two important aspects of his approach to his law practice. “First, I try to treat every client with respect and with awareness that the transaction at hand is one of the most important things in their life at...

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,...

Over 36 years of litigation experience in Louisiana State and Federal Courts representing handling civil cases including Personal Injury, Automobile, Trucking and Transportation, Admiralty and Maritime, Negligence, Premises liability, Professional Malpractice, Commercial and Business Litigation, Products Liability, Insurance Coverage, Subrogation and Workers Compensation. AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell.