News

Liskow maritime attorney Ray Waid was recently interviewed by Fortune regarding the Trump administration’s efforts to explore the use of centuries-old prize law in connection with the potential seizure and sale of Iranian oil tankers and their cargo.

The article, “DOJ is turning to an ancient body of law to capture Iranian oil tankers. It’s been so long since the U.S. used it, ‘we’d have to conduct a séance,’” examines how prize law could provide the U.S. military with a legal framework for capturing enemy vessels during armed conflict. The article also explores the historical origins of prize law and the legal questions and challenges that could arise if the administration seeks to apply the framework in the current context.

Ray discussed the potential financial considerations associated with the approach, telling Fortune: “There’s definitely a financial interest in being able to sell the oil and being able to sell the vessel and then just put that money into the coffers of the United States, which is another thing that this administration has shown is a priority.”

Drawing on his experience as a naval officer and maritime lawyer, Ray also discussed potential questions surrounding congressional involvement. Because Congress has not declared war against Iran, he noted that pursuing this approach could raise legal questions and “could also push Congress into getting more involved in a dispute it has largely avoided so far.”

Read the full article here.

In an article published by The Wall Street Journal,  Liskow attorney Robbie Mashburn examines the tension between two Labor Department rulemakings governing 401(k) plan investment offerings.

The Labor Department is expected to propose repealing rules that allowed plan administrators to weigh environmental, social, and corporate governance factors, likely requiring sponsors to focus solely on financial, or “pecuniary,” considerations. At the same time, a separate Labor Department proposal aims to expand 401(k) plans’ access to private-market investments, an objective that could be complicated by a strict ESG-exclusion rule, given that many private strategies pursue both financial returns and social or environmental goals.

Robbie, who focuses on employee benefits and compensation, explains how ERISA’s duty of loyalty frames the analysis, noting that plan sponsors must be careful not to do anything that may not be beneficial to their plan participants on a financial basis. He also offers a measured prediction on where the rulemaking may land: rather than prohibiting ESG-type assets outright, the DOL may be more likely to require that sponsors demonstrate they are looking after the financial interests of the participants.

To read the full article, click here.

Shareholder Melanie Derefinko has been named to the 2026 Women of the Year Class by New Orleans CityBusiness. Each year, the publication honors women in the region whose professional achievements and community contributions make a lasting impact.

As a key member of Liskow’s complex commercial litigation team, Melanie focuses her practice on intellectual property disputes, business contract disagreements, and employment matters. Beyond her legal practice, she is heavily involved in the legal community, notably serving as the 2026–2027 treasurer, board member, and communications subcommittee chair for the Federal Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division, as well as an active member of the Association for Women Attorneys.

New Orleans CityBusiness will feature Melanie in its November 15 issue and celebrate the honorees at an event on November 3 at the New Orleans Museum of Art.

View the complete list of honorees here. 

Liskow is proud to congratulate Greg Johnson on being selected for the Air & Waste Management Association’s (A&WMA) Fellow Grade of Membership, a distinction recognizing outstanding professional accomplishments and significant service to the Association. A&WMA is the leading international association for environmental professionals, with more than 5,000 members, 34 Sections, and 65 Chapters worldwide. While professionals may join the Association as members, the Fellow designation is a selective honor reserved for members who have demonstrated exceptional contributions to the environmental profession and meaningful service to A&WMA.

Greg has been an A&WMA member for 30 years and has made significant contributions to the Association at both the local and international levels. He has held numerous leadership positions with the Louisiana Section, including serving as its Chair from 2002 to 2004. Internationally, Greg has served on the A&WMA Board of Directors; as Vice Chair and Chair of the Sections & Chapters Council; and as a member of the local host committees for the 2006 and 2016 A&WMA Annual Conferences and Exhibitions held in New Orleans.

Greg’s professional career also reflects the accomplishments recognized by the Fellow designation. As leader of Liskow’s Energy & Environmental Regulatory Practice Group, Greg has a long record of helping companies with the environmental aspects of complex, large-impact transactions, litigation, and regulatory compliance issues throughout the surrounding Gulf Coast region. A significant focus of Greg’s practice is representing domestic and international corporations assisting with environmental permitting for major, high-profile industrial facility projects and with the resolution of often-controversial, high-exposure, oil and gas or energy-related disputes. Greg draws heavily on his real-world experience and training as a chemical engineer when he counsels clients with transactions involving technical issues, most commonly in spotting latent environmental issues with sales or purchases of industrial or manufacturing sites in the chemical, petrochemical, inorganic, waste, energy, and industrial sectors.

Greg also serves as General Counsel to the International Carbon Black Association, a trade association representing major carbon black manufacturers in Europe and North America. His practice includes criminal environmental matters, several of which he has successfully resolved without criminal charges being filed. Greg’s professional accomplishments have earned recognition from leading legal publications. He has been recognized in Tier 1 for Environmental Law by Chambers USA and was named Best Lawyers’ “Lawyer of the Year” for Environmental Law in New Orleans in 2025. 

Greg was recognized as an A&WMA Fellow at the Association’s Annual Conference & Exhibition in Austin this summer. Liskow congratulates Greg on this significant professional honor and recognizes his decades of leadership and service to A&WMA and the environmental profession.

Read more about Greg and this honor here.

Liskow real estate lawyers Paul Kitziger and David Weiner have been named to the 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Real Estate Lawyers list, which recognizes leading attorneys in the commercial real estate industry.

Paul is among only 14 attorneys recognized in New Orleans, and David is among only 25 recognized in Houston. Both are Fellows of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL), the preeminent association of commercial real estate lawyers.

Based in Liskow’s New Orleans office, Paul represents local and international clients across the energy, petrochemical, manufacturing, hospitality, industrial, and financial sectors in a wide range of business transactions, including real estate transactions, construction projects, business entity structuring and formation, mergers and acquisitions, and financing transactions. His real estate experience includes the leasing, sale, purchase, and development of hospitality and industrial facilities, office buildings, warehouses, and other commercial and industrial properties. 

David, based in Liskow’s Houston office, co-leads the firm’s Real Estate Industry Group and represents developers, investors, individuals, and businesses in a broad range of real estate matters, including acquisitions and sales, leasing, and development. He advises landlords, tenants, and subtenants on leasing matters involving office buildings, shopping centers, restaurants, and commercial and industrial properties.

Liskow congratulates Paul and David on this well-deserved recognition.

Liskow is proud to announce that 104 of our attorneys have been recognized in the 2027 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America lists. Seven of these attorneys earned the distinction of “Lawyer of the Year” in their respective practice areas, an honor awarded to only one lawyer per practice area in each metropolitan region.

Those recognized as the “Lawyer of the Year” include:

• George Arceneaux Ill – Litigation – Environmental, Lafayette, LA
• Jamie D. Rhymes – Energy Law, Lafayette, LA
• Kelly Brechtel Becker – Litigation – Environmental, New Orleans, LA
• James E. Lapeze – Energy Law, New Orleans, LA
• Leon J. Reymond Ill – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law, New Orleans, LA
• Leon H. Rittenberg Ill – Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Nonprofit/Charities Law, New Orleans, LA
• Matthew Simone – Oil and Gas Law, New Orleans, LA

Those recognized in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® include:

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

• Paul M. Adkins – Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Environmental, Oil and Gas Law
• Hunter Chauvin – Energy Law
• Matt Jones – Energy Law
• Denice Robinette – Personal Injury Defendants

Lafayette, Louisiana

• Vanessa Waguespack Anseman – Energy Law
• George Arceneaux Ill – Litigation – Environmental, Oil and Gas Law
• Brittan J. Bush – Energy Law, Oil and Gas Law, Natural Resources Law
• Brian W. Capell – Energy Law, Energy Regulatory Law
• Julie Chauvin – Commercial Transactions/ UCC Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
• Joseph C. Giglio, Jr. – Corporate Law, Real Estate Law
• Joseph P. Hebert- Energy Regulatory Law
• Michael H. Ishee – Energy Law, Oil and Gas Law
• Amy Allums Lee – Litigation – Environmental, Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions – Defendants, Energy Law, Energy Regulatory Law, Environmental Law
• Jeffrey Lieberman – Energy Law, Energy Regulatory Law, Litigation – Environmental
• Jamie D. Rhymes – Energy Law, Oil and Gas Law, Litigation – Environmental
• Shawn Carney Rhymes – Energy Law
• April Rolen-Ogden – Energy Law, Oil and Gas Law
• Lawrence P. Simon, Jr. – Natural Resources Law, Oil and Gas Law
• John S. Troutman – Energy Law
• Court VanTassell- Environmental Law, Energy Law

New Orleans, Louisiana

• Donald R. Abaunza – Admiralty and Maritime Law, Commercial Litigation, Energy Law
• Neil C. Abramson – Litigation – Environmental. Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions – Defendants. Product Liability – Defendants
• Marguerite L. Adams – Real Estate Law. Trusts and Estates
• Alec Andrade – Commercial Litigation. Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions – Defendants. Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Robert Angelico – Tax Law
• Erin Bambrick – Energy Law. Oil and Gas Law
• Alex Baynham – Admiralty and Maritime Law
• Kelly Brechtel Becker – Appellate Practice, Energy Law, Litigation – Environmental, Oil and Gas Law
• Clare M. Bienvenu – Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
• Nora B. Bilbro – Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions – Defendants
• James A. Brown – Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants, Litigation – Antitrust, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants
• Laura S. Brown – Energy Law, Litigation – Environmental, Oil and Gas Law
• Louis E. Buatt- Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental, Water Law
• Ryan T. Christiansen – Banking and Finance Law, Real Estate Law
• Sheri Corales – Commercial Litigation
• Melanie Derefinko – Commercial Litigation
• Thomas P. Diaz – Admiralty and Maritime Law
• Kathleen L. Doody – Banking and Finance Law. Energy Law, Oil and Gas Law
• Jonathan Fox – Energy Law. Litigation – Environmental
• Kathryn Gonski – Energy Law, Oil and Gas Law. Commercial Litigation
• Jackie Hickman – -Energy Law
• Shannon Skelton Holtzman – Commercial Litigation. Litigation – Construction
• R. Keith Jarrett- Admiralty and Maritime Law
• Brian R. Johnson – Real Estate Law
• Greg L. Johnson – Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
• Philip K. Jones, Jr. – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy
• Paul C. Kitziger – Real Estate Law
• Cheryl M. Kornick – Commercial Litigation, Energy Law, Litigation and Controversy- Tax, Tax Law, Appellate Practice, Oil and Gas Law
• Caroline D. Lafourcade – Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
• James E. Lapeze – Energy Law, Litigation – Environmental, Oil and Gas Law, Environmental Law
• Mark D. Latham – Admiralty and Maritime Law, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• David W. Leefe – Admiralty and Maritime Law, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Thomas J. McGoey II – Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Mark L. McNamara – Energy Law, Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions – Defendants, Oil and Gas Law
• Robert B. McNeal- Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental, Oil and Gas Law
• Carey L. Menasco – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy, Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants
• Michael C. Mims – Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants. Commercial Litigation
• Devin C. Reid – Admiralty and Maritime Law
• Carol “Lulu” Welborn Reisman – Commercial Litigation
• David L. Reisman – Admiralty and Maritime Law. Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions – Defendants
• Jerome J. Reso, Jr. – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Nonprofit/ Charities Law, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
• Leon J. Reymond Ill – Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
• Leon H. Rittenberg Ill – Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Nonprofit/ Charities Law, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
• John A. Rouchell- Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Elder Law, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates, Nonprofits/ Charities Law
• Kelly T. Scalise – Admiralty and Maritime Law, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Stephen P. Schott – Litigation – Real Estate, Real Estate Law
• Scott C. Seiler – Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Matthew Simone – Energy Law, Oil and Gas Law
• Cherrell Simms Taplin – Energy Law
• Sean Toomey: Criminal Defense – White Collar
• Tyler Trew – Commercial Litigation
• Emily von Qualen – Environmental Law, Litigation Environmental
• Raymond T. Waid – Admiralty and Maritime Law
• Elizabeth Wheeler – Energy Law
• Charles B. Wilmore – Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• John M. Wilson – Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Environmental
• Joseph T. Wilson – Real Estate Law, Trusts and Estates
• Brett D. Wise – Admiralty and Maritime Law

New York, New York

• Michael Fernandez – Admiralty and Maritime Law

Houston, Texas

• Laura Alaniz – Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• John Almy – Admiralty and Maritime Law
• Michael P. Cash – Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Michael A. Golemi – Admiralty and Maritime Law, Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Jana L. Grauberger – Energy Law
• Marilyn C. Maloney – Banking and Finance Law, Energy Law, Real Estate Law, Oil and Gas Law
• Robbie Mashburn – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
• William W. Pugh – Admiralty and Maritime Law, Energy Law, Oil and Gas Law
• Michael D. Rubenstein – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Alma F. Shields – Litigation – Labor and Employment
• David J. Weiner – Real Estate Law

Those recognized in the 2027 edition of the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America include:

Lafayette, Louisiana

• Alexandra L. Gjertson – Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law
• Joe Heaton – Energy Law, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental, Oil and Gas Law
• Cody Miller – Banking & Finance, Corporate Law
• John M. Parker – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Energy Law

New Orleans, Louisiana

• Zachary Berryman – Energy Law, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
• Lance C. Bullock – Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Transportation Law
• Chelsea Crews – Transportation Law
• Ellen George – Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Hayley M. Landry – Energy Law
• Nicholas Mole – Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions – Defendants
• Colin North – Administrative/ Regulatory Law, Energy Law, Environmental Law
• Jessie Elizabeth Shifalo – Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Transportation Law
• Cristian M. Soler – Energy Law, Litigation – Environmental, Oil and Gas Law

Houston, Texas

• Margaret Chavez – Energy Law, Natural Resources Law, Oil and Gas Law
• Jonas Patzwall- Energy Law, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Transportation Law
• Elizabeth Strunk – Transportation Law

Liskow attorneys Leon Rittenberg III and Kevin Naccari were recently featured in State Affairs – Louisiana’s Guest Column. Their article, “House-Passed Defense Bill Would Rewrite Maritime Rules,” breaks down how the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act introduces the broadest rewrite of federal maritime law in a generation.

Their analysis covers major proposed updates to shipbuilding frameworks, cargo preference rules, and the Jones Act. Read the full article here.

Liskow attorneys Leon Rittenberg III and Kevin Naccari were recently featured in State Affairs – Louisiana’s Guest Column. Their article, “House-Passed Defense Bill Would Rewrite Maritime Rules,” breaks down how the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act introduces the broadest rewrite of federal maritime law in a generation.

Their analysis covers major proposed updates to shipbuilding frameworks, cargo preference rules, and the Jones Act. Read the full article here.

On August 10, 2026, in a personal injury action brought against Louisiana plant owners Methanex USA, LLC and Methanex Louisiana, LLC (“Methanex”), the United States Fifth Circuit affirmed the Middle District of Louisiana’s rulings: (1) granting Methanex’s Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss plaintiff’s intentional tort claim, with prejudice, and (2) granting Methanex’s summary judgment motion to dismiss plaintiff’s remaining tort claims with prejudice based on the statutory employer doctrine.

 The Fifth Circuit confirmed that conclusory, unsafe workplace allegations do not meet the Rule 12(b)(6) pleading standard to state an intentional tort claim under Louisiana law.  Addressing the plaintiff’s request for discovery, the Court reaffirmed that “well-settled federal pleading requirements do not countenance” perseveration of a case “on the possibility that he might later discover the factual support necessary for his claim.” (emphasis in original). 

The Fifth Circuit further affirmed the district court’s application of the statutory employer doctrine to dismiss the plaintiff’s remaining tort claims.  The Fifth Circuit found that where (1) the contract between Methanex and the plaintiff’s employer provided Methanex statutory employer status, and (2) the plaintiff was performing work in connection with a maintenance turnaround, which courts have historically recognized as integral to a plant’s operations, the district court made the “correct observation that the requirements of the statutory employment doctrine are clear from the face of the parties’ contract and our case law.”  The Fifth Circuit also rejected the plaintiff’s request for discovery under Rule 56(d), finding that the plaintiff failed to identify what relevant evidence he was missing in the face of a clear application of the statutory employment doctrine.  

Kathryn Gonski and Melanie Derefinko represented Methanex in the trial court and on appeal.  A copy of the Fifth Circuit’s decision can be found here.

Liskow is pleased to congratulate Hayley Landry on being selected as the recipient of the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel’s (LADC) Frank L. Maraist Award. The Frank L. Maraist Award recognizes a young lawyer who has demonstrated outstanding achievements in their practice and exemplary contributions to the legal profession, carrying on the legacy of Professor Frank L. Maraist, who taught at LSU Law School for nearly 40 years.

Hayley is a member of Liskow’s Energy Litigation practice group in New Orleans, where she has distinguished herself through a career rooted in service and a commitment to expanding access to justice. From her time as a student attorney with the Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic and Center for Social Justice representing clients in employment litigation matters, to her continued pro bono leadership at the firm, service has been a defining characteristic of her professional life. Her pro bono dedication has been formally recognized with The Pro Bono Project’s 2025 Distinguished Service Award, the 2022 Louisiana State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Pro Bono Award, and Liskow’s 2021 Pro Bono Award.

For the past four years, Hayley has led the firm’s participation in The Pro Bono Project’s CDC Helpdesk Adopt-A-Month Program, coordinating firm attorneys to take part in this hands-on community initiative. She also regularly volunteers with Southeast Louisiana Legal Services and the Pro Bono Project at various legal fairs and clinics. Her broader legal community involvement includes serving on the Advisory Board of Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, as former Public Service Co-Chair of the New Orleans Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section, and volunteering through the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Legal Fair, alongside active engagement with the Young Leadership Council. She also helped lead charitable efforts such as the Association for Women Attorneys Bake Sale benefitting Second Harvest Food Bank of South Louisiana.

Within her practice and the broader energy sector, Hayley has established herself as a leader. She currently serves as President-elect for the South Louisiana Chapter of Women’s Energy Network, supporting programming and networking opportunities for women in the industry, Vice President for the Professional Landman Association of New Orleans, and Committee Co-Chair for the New Orleans Bar Association’s Energy and Environmental Law. Hayley also serves on the New Orleans Bar Association Young Lawyers Section Executive Committee. Her professional memberships include the Institute for Energy Law, the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law, and the American, Federal, New Orleans, and Jefferson Bar Associations. Earlier in her career, she was selected to participate in the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity’s Pathfinders Program.

As James Brown, a Liskow shareholder and LADC member, noted, “Hayley is exactly the kind of lawyer this award was created to recognize. She gives generously of her time and talents without seeking recognition, and she approaches every opportunity to serve with humility, compassion, and a genuine commitment to helping others. Her selfless nature, leadership within the legal community, and dedication to expanding access to justice make her an ideal candidate for the Frank Maraist Award.”

Hayley was presented with the award by fellow Liskow attorney Trinity Morale at the 2026 LADC Maraist Awards Dinner.