Ball Lawyers

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...

John’s years of experience with criminal cases gave him a unique lens to understand eligibility, and he intimately knows the incredible changes to someone’s life that can come from an expungement, too. Expunging an arrest or conviction from a record opens a person up to a better education, better jobs, or better licenses — the difference between being a cook and being a chef. But expungements also give people a clean slate, closing the chapter of a criminal arrest history and allowing them to move forward with their lives. John has become well-known in the legal community for making himself almost constantly available...

Kim Ngan Nguyen brings dedication and passion for family law to Lowe, Stein, Hoffman Allweiss, & Hauver, LLP. She attended the University of New Orleans, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree. She went on to earn her Doctor of Jurisprudence from Loyola University College of Law. Her commitment to helping people and families pushed her to focus on family and domestic law. As a New Orleans family lawyer, Ms. Nguyen’s practice includes complex divorces, child custody, property disputes, dissolution of business entities in a divorce, and more. An avid member of the legal community, she frequently lectures at...

Attorney Timothy J. Young is the founder and owner of The Young Firm in New Orleans, Louisiana. Licensed to practice in Texas and Louisiana, Tim has over 30 years of legal experience. He provides exceptional advocacy and support to those throughout the Gulf Coast who have suffered a maritime injury or a serious injury caused by someone else's negligence or wrongdoing as well as for those who have workers' compensation claims. A recognized leader in maritime and admiralty law, Tim has recovered numerous substantial jury awards and settlements for his plaintiff clients, and he has extensive experience dealing with claims involving...

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...

Oskar is originally from Puerto Rico and is fluent in Spanish. He has been practicing law in the New Orleans metro area since 2005. He has a diversified background in law, engineering, finance, marketing and accounting. Oskar has a BS in International Relations and Electrical Engineering from Boston University, graduated Magna Cum Laude and as a Crowe Scholar from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, and has a Master of Health Administration in Health System Management from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. During his time at Loyola, Oskar was the Managing Editor of the Loyola...

Gissel is originally from Puerto Rico and is fluent in Spanish. She has been practicing law in the New Orleans metro area since 2004. After working as an Assistant District Attorney for Orleans Parish and as an Associate at a local insurance defense firm, she joined her husband, Oskar Pérez, in 2011 and founded Ferriol Pérez, LLC, a Hispanic-owned, full service law firm specializing in client-focused legal representation for the local community. Gissel has a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Classics from the University of Arizona, and a law degree, with a Certificate in International Law, from Loyola University School of...

Robert T. Weimer is a partner of the firm and oversees its estate/succession litigation division. He holds in-depth experience with mental health disputes and family law matters, offering clients his expertise on complicated successions as well as conflicts among executors, legatees, and heirs. With extensive experience in family law, Robert is a reliable attorney who has successfully represented clients on numerous issues including but not limited to custody, visitation, divorce, tutorship and curatorship. Moreover, he regularly speaks at conferences related to estate matters in Louisiana. Licensed by both Texas and Louisiana Bar Associations as well as being an active member...

Kirk Reasonover works primarily in the area of commercial litigation and arbitration. His experience includes cases involving securities law and investment disputes, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, racketeering, mismanagement, and corporate voting rights. He represents clients in arbitration proceedings before the NASD and American Arbitration Association. Mr. Reasonover has represented creditors, debtors and equity interest holders in bankruptcy and lien foreclosure proceedings. He has also been active in disputes involving franchises and intellectual property, including trademarks, copyrights, and computer software. He is a member of the Board of Directors and Audit Committee of Citizens National Bank of Meridian, a federally...

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...

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...

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...

I am Sarah Pfeiffer, single mom, attorney, and fiercely positive legal advocate for all types of families. I work with families to build a pathway through conflict that creates lasting peace, more financial security, space for personal and parental growth, and allows the adults involved to model healthy relationships for their children.

Craig was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. He graduated from Loyola College Prep in 1985. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from Louisiana State University-Shreveport in 1990. He attended law school at Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where he graduated in 1993. He is an attorney and partner in the law firm of Smith & John. Craig was admitted to the Louisiana Bar in 1993, and since then, he has been admitted to practice before the following courts: U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth...

Brad Harrigan focuses on intellectual property and insurance defense. As part of his intellectual property practice, Mr. Harrigan has managed trademark portfolios for Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and individuals consisting of hundreds of domestic and international trademark applications and registrations.

Mr. Harrigan has significant experience representing clients in trademark prosecution matters such as USPTO Office Actions, TTAB proceedings, and ICANN UDRP arbitrations. Mr. Harrigan has also represented clients in IP litigation matters throughout the country, including state and federal disputes concerning trademark, copyright, trade secret, and unfair competition issues. His defense work includes a broad range of experience in property...

I am a life-long Louisiana native admitted to practice in all Louisiana state and federal courts. For over 40 years I have handled trials and appeals on many different legal issues. Although my representation has involved many other matters, I have concentrated my current practice in the areas of bankruptcy cases (consumer and business, debtor and creditor); business law and litigation (forming, reorganizing, selling, and purchasing small businesses and handling business disputes); storm/hale damage insurance claims and litigation; successions, wills, and estate law; collections, foreclosures, and real estate litigation; and construction claims, arbitration, and litigation. Bar Admissions All Louisiana state courts U.S. District...

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...

Peyton Murphy is a lifelong resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After completing his undergraduate study at Louisiana State University in 1988, Peyton P. Murphy was immediately admitted to law school. He received his Juris Doctorate from Tulane Law School in 1991. Peyton P. Murphy was admitted to the Connecticut State Bar and the Louisiana State Bar in 1992 and 1993, respectively. Mr. Murphy is also licensed in the Western, Middle and Eastern District of the Federal U.S. District Courts in Louisiana as well as the United States Supreme Court. Peyton P. Murphy is an active member of the Baton Rouge Bar Association...

Scott Andrews is a 2011 Baton Rouge Business Report Forty Under 40 honoree, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers and Top 40 Under 40 member, Secretary of the Northwestern State University Foundation, an Adjunct Professor of Law teaching Insurance Law, Products Liability and Advanced Louisiana Torts at the Southern University Law Center. Scott has also been selected for inclusion in Louisiana Super Lawyers-Personal Injury Plaintiff (2012-2013), and enjoys a prestigious AV peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Scott Andrews is a Member of the Louisiana Law Review and published one article prior to graduating in 1996 as a member of...

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...

My name is Alex Laird and I exclusively practice criminal defense in the Baton Rouge and surrounding areas. I know first hand the fear and anxiety one feels facing criminal charges. That is why I chose this profession. I do everything in my power to help each and every one of my clients overcome their criminal issue and come out a better person afterwards. I know how important it is for clients to have an attorney that truly cares about them, not only for the outcome of their case but also for their overall sense of well-being while the case...

I am an experienced felony criminal defense trial attorney – bringing more than 40 felony jury trials to verdict in the last nine years. Call me now if you have a serious legal matter and you need immediate assistance. I was born in Ascension Parish and grew up in Baton Rouge. After moving around the south, I settled back home in 1999 where I started back a LSU, concluding with a Law Degree from the Paul Hebert Law Center at LSU in 2008. I began further studies at the University of Florida, School of Pharmacy, where I am...

Danny Russell is an experienced and aggressive attorney representing clients who face DWI charges in Baton Rouge, Ascension, Livingston, St. Tammany, Covington, Mandeville, Gonzales, Tangipahoa, West Baton Rouge, Prairieville, Jefferson, St. John the Baptist, Slidell, and throughout Louisiana.

Paul "Woody" Scott is passionate in his representation of clients. Mr. Scott founded The Scott Law Firm and practices in immigration law, deportation and removal defense, criminal defense, and Federal Criminal and Immigration Litigation. Mr. Scott was born in a small hospital in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. At two years old he and his mother moved to the New Orleans, Louisiana, area where he was raised. After he graduated from Archbishop Rummel High School in Metairie, he moved to Baton Rouge where he attended Louisiana State University to obtain his bachelor degree. He went on to receive his Juris...

Before joining Walters, Papillion, Thomas, Cullens LLC, Andrée Matherne Cullens was a partner for more than fifteen years at Taylor, Porter, Brooks, and Phillips, LLP, one of the largest defense firms in Louisiana. She represented creditors and trustees in bankruptcy proceedings, state agencies and businesses in commercial litigation, banks and financial institutions, and Insurance Receivers in regulatory proceedings. Some of her former clients include Chase Bank, State Street Bank and Trust Company, the Louisiana Office of Economic Development, LSU, and the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Ms. Cullens has considerable courtroom experience in both federal and state courts and has been...

"Attorney Kenneth H. Hooks III focuses his practice on providing excellent representation to the few clients chosen by the section’s rigorous case selection. Kenny has practiced international maritime law for over 13 years as well as prosecuting horrific injury claims as a result of crashes, explosion burns, work place injuries and deaths, hospital errors and very large commercial claims all on a pure contingency basis. Mr. Hooks helps bring justice to individuals, businesses and professionals who have been wronged by others through both state and federal courts in Louisiana and throughout the United States as well as internationally. Mr....

Will Huguet is a partner in the Shreveport office of Kean Miller. He joined the firm in 2014 and practices in the oil and gas and energy litigation groups. Will has more than fifteen years of experience assisting energy companies in the exploration and production of minerals, including sales and acquisitions, lease and contract rights, title, due diligence, regulatory compliance, dispute resolution, and litigation, and in representing landowners and companies in selling and purchasing property and managing their mineral and royalty interests.

Prior to law school, Will was a professional landman in Lafayette, Louisiana. After law school, he served as a...

University of New Orleans & LSU Law Center Graduate. Solo practitioner concentrating in Criminal & DWI Defense, Personal Injury & Contract Negotiations, Civil Litigation. Trial & Motion Practice. Mac Evangelista since 1988. Rated 'Best Lawyers' for past 15 years straight in SB Magazine.

Rusty Savoie is a graduate of Nicholls State University and Loyola University. He has both a law degree and a Masters in Business Administration. Born in Larose, Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, Rusty Savoie has over 20 years of legal experience. He dedicates his practice to defending the rights of injured workers throughout Southeastern Louisiana from his offices in Covington and Houma.

Peggy Gonsoulin Vallejo graduated from Tulane Law School in May 1999 and was admitted to the Louisiana State Bar in October 1999.

Her practice consists of civil litigation with a strong focus on personal injury, divorce, child support, spousal support, and succession matters. She has clients in all of the surrounding parishes in the Greater New Orleans Metro Area including St. Tammany, Orleans, Jefferson, Washington, Tangipahoa, Livingston and East Baton Rouge.

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...

A native New Orleanian, Leo graduated from Holy Cross High School, later obtained his Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of New Orleans, and then his Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School, where he served as the Study Body President, Lead Attorney in the American Trial Lawyers Association Trial Competition, and member of the Clinic Program, successfully trying and winning cases on behalf of individuals’ rights. After graduating from Loyola School of Law, Leo opened the Palazzo Law Firm. Leo is admitted to practice in all state and appellate courts throughout Louisiana, the Federal Western, Middle, and Eastern Districts,...

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....

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...

Daniel Stanton practices in the admiralty, maritime , and energy law practice groups. Prior to law school, Daniel worked as a commercial property and casualty insurance producer in Northwest Florida where he helped businesses manage liability and property risks through a variety of insurance vehicles. He is listed as a Rising Star in Louisiana Super Lawyers 2018 - 2020 and 2023. Daniel earned his B.B.A. from Mississippi State University in 2007. He earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 2013, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Maritime Law Journal, President of the Maritime Law...

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,...