Columbia Lawyers

I learned early on that as a lawyer, I could change people’s lives for the better. A few years ago, I had a client who worked for one company as a tankerman for 20 years. He was ordered into a crawlhole during a storm to check the radar, and as he was getting out, the boat hit a swell. He was thrown backwards and ended up with a spine injury. He went from being the main provider for his family to borrowing money to get a Coke and sleeping on people’s sofas. The day of the trial, the company offered us $100,000. The jury...

Are you looking for a probate lawyer in New Orleans, yet unsure of where you can even begin to search for the right attorney? While it is true that estate planning and probate are weighty and involve many serious facets and aspects, you do not need to be overwhelmed by them. Instead, be proactive and seek out the help your case requires. Attorney Gary S. Brown attended Louisiana State University, where he received his Juris Doctorate. He is a member of the Federal Bar Association, the Louisiana State Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. Attorney Robert Weimer received his...

My current practice is focused on antitrust class action litigation, primarily in the pharmaceutical industry. I have broad litigation experience in antitrust, intellectual property, complex commercial disputes, criminal investigations and defense, and other complex commercial litigation matters, as well as deep FDA regulatory knowledge as it pertains to filing and maintaining applications for new drugs and their generic equivalents.

I have represented clients in numerous billion dollar antitrust disputes, as well as co-authored multiple successful appellate briefs before various federal appellate courts.

Additionally, I have represented clients who were under investigation or being prosecuted by the Department of Justice or...

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,...

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...

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.

Lillian E. Eyrich is a highly experienced title insurance attorney who has a reputation for solving title insurance problems, so that a transaction can go through and not get stopped. She has been recognized by her peers as one of the best in the industry. She was honored by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers as the “New Orleans Best Lawyers Real Estate Law Lawyer of the Year” in both 2022 and 2012. Lillie provides title insurance for closings handled through Steeg Law's in-house title insurance agency, Orleans Title, for numerous commercial and residential transactions, including hotels, office buildings,...

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...

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...

Michael D. Allday experiences range from the representation of clients in local commercial matters, family disputes, personal injury and bankruptcy to the representation of large corporations in international arbitration, including the Iran-U.S. Claims Tribunal at the Hague. In today’s competitive environment, Michael D. Allday law office has the advantage of combining large firm experience with personal attention to clients’ needs at affordable rates. Every client receives “hands on” attention, and your goals and needs are the top priority. When necessary, Michael D. Allday has a network of respected colleagues in those areas of law that require a high degree of...

Rusty is a litigation attorney licensed to practice in Louisiana and Texas. He regularly handles complex legal matters in both state and federal courts.

J. Quentin Simon is proud to carry on his father's tradition. J. Minos Simon handled thousands of cases throughout his career including high-profile civil and criminal cases. As the chosen successor for the firm, J. Quentin Simon promises to take an individualized approach to each case and continues his father's legacy of fighting for your rights in the courtroom.

Russell Dickson is an associate with Wiener, Weiss & Madison. He practices in the areas of Business law, Oil & Gas Law, Real Estate Law, Probate and Succession Administration, and Commercial Litigation. At the firm, he has experience in litigation and transactional work representing landowners and business owners in Northwest Louisiana.

Kimberly Hymel is an attorney in the Baton Rouge office of Kean Miller. She joined the firm in 2004 and practices in the energy, oil and gas, pipeline and commercial litigation groups. Kimberly represents national and international energy and petrochemical clients in a wide variety of litigation, with particular experience in environmental property damage cases, commercial contractual disputes, and toxic tort litigation. She has also worked extensively on electronic discovery issues, including management of large-scale discovery efforts for multi-national companies and advising clients regarding development and implementation of workable strategies, procedures, and discovery software tools for the collection, review, and...

Susan Lewis is an associate in the Baton Rouge office of Kean Miller. She joined the firm in 2007 and practices in the litigation group. She has experience in the defense of medical malpractice claims against physicians including preparation and presentation of submissions to the medical review panel.

She received her B.A. in 1995 from the University of Mississippi. Susan received her J.D. in 2000 from Mississippi College School of Law. She served on the Mississippi College School of Law Student Bar Association. She served as law clerk to the Hon. Jack T. Marionneaux, 18th Judicial District Court, Parish of Iberville...

Patrick Roquemore is an associate attorney in the Baton Rouge office of Kean Miller. He joined the firm in 2005 and practices in the litigation, energy, legacy oil field site, and oil & gas groups. Prior to joining Kean Miller, Patrick was a judicial law clerk for the Twenty-third Judicial District Court for the Parishes of Ascension, Assumption, and St. James. He also served as an attorney for the Louisiana Court of Appeal, First Circuit (Criminal Division). Patrick has extensive experience in all aspects of legal research, including the drafting of opinions, jury instructions, and participating in and assisting in...

Benjamin B. Treuting, an associate attorney at Palmintier Law Group, is deeply rooted in the heart of Louisiana. Raised in Marksville, he graduated from Holy Savior Menard Central High School in Alexandria, Louisiana, in 2007. His academic journey led him to Louisiana State University, where he attained his Bachelor's degree. Benjamin's dedication to the legal profession flourished as he pursued a Juris Doctorate and Diploma in Comparative Law from Louisiana State University's Paul M. Hebert Law Center, culminating in his admission to the Louisiana Bar in 2015. Throughout his career, Benjamin has remained ardently passionate about advocacy, priding himself on his...

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...

Gregory D. Frost, a partner in the Baton Rouge office, practices extensively in the area of Healthcare. He concentrates his legal practice on health care law, including the representation of not-for-profit, for-profit and governmental hospitals, home health agencies, physicians and other types of health care providers. Mr. Frost is experienced in complex commercial transactions involving healthcare providers, licensure and other regulatory matters, Medicare, Medicaid and defense of civil and criminal fraud prosecutions, transactional matters and litigation involving health care providers. He has extensive experience dealing with HIPAA and health information issues, and was one of the first attorneys in the...

Scott Hensgens is the managing partner and practices in the Baton Rouge office of Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, L.L.P. Scott’s principal areas of practice include business and commercial litigation, contract litigation, consumer credit litigation, and trademark and copyright registration and litigation. His experience includes representing individuals, small and large businesses, insurance companies, corporate shareholders, automobile dealerships, and credit reporting agencies.

Troy Villa practices extensively in the areas of business transactions, corporate advisory, banking and finance. He also represents both lenders and borrowers in leveraged financing transactions, mezzanine financing, private equity funding, venture capital and other high-yield credit facilities. He also represents clients in a wide variety of business transactions, including the structuring, negotiation and drafting of contracts and agreements related to the purchase and sale of businesses, mergers, corporate reorganizations, limited liability company and other entity formations and restructuring and other general corporate matters.

With offices in Lafayette and Opelousas, I have a statewide civil litigation practice and am admitted in all state and federal courts of Louisiana. I am proud to represent my clients, from Louisiana citizens to Fortune 1000 companies.

I always wanted to be a lawyer from the first time that I saw Perry Mason.

While in college, I worked part time work for a law firm. It was there that I observed that persons accused of a crime were not getting the adequate representation that they deserved. I wanted to help those people.

I also worked as a former city prosecutor, which gave me experience in my approach to helping my clients.

I have had great success in criminal jury trials with over 48 years of experience. Along with extensive experience in State and Federal courts, I have been highly...

Mr. Philip Adams is licensed in all Louisiana state courts, the federal Western District of Louisiana, the U.S. Fifth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Adams practices in the areas of criminal defense and personal injury law. In criminal defense, he has experience in trials, appeals, and post-conviction proceedings in a broad range of criminal cases. Furthermore, he has broad experience in handling expungements to help clients clear their criminal records. Mr. Adams has handled sex offender registration issues. Mr. Adams has defended against protective orders on behalf of clients. Mr. Adams has defended factually innocent clients. Mr. Adams...

Forrest Guedry is an associate in the Baton Rouge office of Kean Miller. He joined the firm in 2018 and practices in the litigation group. Prior to joining the firm, Forrest practiced insurance and worker’s compensation defense in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Forrest earned his B.A., cum laude, from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2012. He earned his J.D., cum laude, from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 2015, where he served as Editor in Chief of the Loyola Maritime Law Journal. He also participated in the Loyola Moot Court Program as an oralist on the 2014-2015 Judge John R. Brown Admiralty...

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...

Cliffe Laborde is licensed to practice law in Louisiana and Texas, and has more than 24 years of experience in a wide variety of business and commercial real estate transactions, and estate planning and administration matters, including:

Asset and stock purchase transactions, and other agreements (employment, non-competition, etc.) arising in connection with business acquisitions and divestitures.
Formation of corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships, including the drafting of complex shareholder, operating and partnership agreements, and the purchase and sale of ownership interests in such entities.
Negotiation and documentation of purchase, sale, financing, development and leasing transactions related to all types of commercial real...

Seth Moyers is a shareholder with Wiener, Weiss & Madison. He joined the firm in 2009 and practices primarily in the areas of collections, bankruptcies, and other commercial litigation. Seth has represented both commercial and individual creditors throughout the collections process, including settlements and judicial collection proceedings in both Louisiana State Courts and United States Bankruptcy Courts.

Anna O'Neal is a shareholder with Wiener, Weiss & Madison. She joined the firm in 2017 and practices in the areas of commercial litigation and oil, gas and natural resources. Prior to joining the firm, Anna's practice focused on mineral and property law matters. She also has experience advising on natural gas midstream pipeline issues, political subdivision governance, and zoning and land use matters.

Geoffrey D. Westmoreland is a shareholder in the firm of Wiener, Weiss & Madison, A Professional Corporation. Mr. Westmoreland has over 20 years of experience in real estate transactions, real estate litigation and real estate development matters. Mr. Westmoreland also has extensive experience in complex zoning and land use matters, as well as extensive experience in commercial and business litigation matters.

Don Wiener is of counsel for the firm of Wiener, Weiss & Madison. He has more than 25 years of experience in commercial transactions, including corporate, oil and gas law, real estate, commercial lending, title insurance and probate.