News

Liskow is proud to announce that the firm has been named the “2023 Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year” by The Pro Bono Project. The Pro Bono Project helps low-income families and individuals in need gain access to lawyers who can help them resolve civil legal issues. These issues range from family law matters like divorces, custody agreements, name changes, and adoptions; to property questions related to successions and estate planning, proof of title, contractor litigation, and consumer complaints; to debt issues, and much more.

The firm is an active participant in the organization, and individual lawyers give their time and experience – pro bono – to the organization.  Liskow supports The Pro Bono Project’s major fundraising event, the Justice For All Ball, and the firm staffs the Pro Bono Project’s Self Help Resources one month of the year. A Liskow shareholder serves on the Board of Directors for The Pro Bono Project.

Liskow believes pro bono work is a professional responsibility and essential in order to advance the legal standing of diverse and historically underserved populations. To this end, the firm fosters an environment in which individual lawyers are encouraged to embrace this responsibility through pro bono work. The firm even established the Liskow & Lewis Pro Bono Award to recognize attorneys who go above and beyond in their efforts to provide their services to those who are historically underserved in our communities. The firm is an active participant in many pro bono organizations, and additional matters are brought into the firm by individual attorneys, referrals from neighborhood clinics and referrals from the public and indigent defender offices. Specific matters in which our lawyers are engaged vary widely, reflecting the differing interests and expertise of our attorneys.

Liskow has been ranked nationally in 7 practice areas and regionally in 54 practice areas in the 2024 Best Lawyers® (BL Rankings) “Best Law Firms” list. Firms included in the “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence with consistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Firms receive tiered rankings if they have a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise.

NATIONAL RANKINGS FOR LISKOW INCLUDE:

• Admiralty & Maritime Law
• Banking and Finance Law
• Commercial Litigation
• Energy Law
• Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
• Oil and Gas Law
• Real Estate Law

REGIONAL RANKINGS FOR LISKOW INCLUDE:

Baton Rouge

• Commercial Litigation
• Energy Law
• Litigation – Environmental
• Oil & Gas Law

Houston

• Admiralty & Maritime Law
• Banking and Finance Law
• Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Commercial Litigation
• Criminal Defense: White-Collar
• Energy Law
• Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
• Oil & Gas Law
• Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Real Estate Law

Lafayette

• Corporate Law
• Energy Law
• Litigation – Environmental
• Natural Resources Law
• Oil & Gas Law

New Orleans

• Admiralty & Maritime Law
• Appellate Practice
• Banking and Finance Law
• Bet-the-Company Litigation
• Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
• Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
• Commercial Litigation
• Corporate Law
• Elder Law
• Employment Law – Management
• Energy Law
• Environmental Law
• Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants
• Litigation – Antitrust
• Litigation – Bankruptcy
• Litigation – Construction
• Litigation – Environmental
• Litigation – Labor & Employment
• Litigation – Securities
• Litigation – Tax
• Litigation – Trusts & Estates
• Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
• Mergers & Acquisitions Law
• Nonprofit / Charities Law
• Oil & Gas Law
• Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants
• Real Estate Law
• Tax Law
• Trusts & Estates Law
• Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
• Labor Law – Management
• Securities / Capital Markets Law

Additionally, 114 Liskow lawyers are recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2024 edition.

The Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in the field, and review of additional information provided by law as part of the formal submission process. 

Liskow is pleased to announce that Michael Rubenstein has been named to the 2023 Texas Super Lawyers list for his Bankruptcy practice.

Michael Rubenstein is a bankruptcy practitioner with a diverse commercial practice. He handles bankruptcies, restructurings, and reorganizations, as well as complex business litigation and criminal law. With a reputation for efficiency and effectiveness, his bankruptcy practice is largely devoted to the representation of creditors, often in the energy sector, in complex reorganizations throughout the U.S. Michael also routinely handles the defense of preference litigation in some of the largest bankruptcy cases in the U.S. and is certified in the area of business bankruptcy law by the American Board of Certification. Michael has been regularly recognized by Super Lawyers since 2007.

Michael is a dedicated Tulane University alumnus and actively contributes to his alma mater in various roles. He currently serves on the Board of Administrators and has held multiple positions within the Alumni Association over the years. Additionally, he serves on the Law Dean’s Advisory Council and the Board of Advisory Editors for the Tulane Law Review. His dedication to his alma mater earned him the Bobby Boudreau Spirit Award, presented annually to the individual who embodies the true “Roll Wave” spirit. Furthermore, he is an active member of the American Bar Association’s Section of Business Law where he serves as the Bankruptcy IP & Technology Vice Chair for the Business Bankruptcy Committee and the Subcommittee on Ethics, Professionalism & Civility Vice Chair for the Business and Corporate Litigation Committee.

Super Lawyers lists outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Texas Super Lawyers includes a statewide nomination process, a peer-review survey by practice area, and independent research on candidates. The process results in a list of the top five percent of attorneys in each state, as nominated by their peers, which is then reviewed by an independent research team that focuses on professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.

The selected attorneys and the practice categories in which they were recognized are:

• George Arceneaux III – Energy Litigation
• James Brown – Complex Litigation, esp. Professional Liability, Class Action, and Insurance Defense
• Keith Jarrett – Complex Litigation, esp. Maritime, Toxic Tort, and Oil & Gas
• Cheryl Kornick – Energy and Business Litigation

Lawdragon is a legal media company that provides free online news and editorial features including guides to the nation’s leading lawyers, selected the 500 honorees based on journalistic research, submissions, and vetting.

New Orleans CityBusiness has recognized Kelly Becker as an honoree for the Women of the Year Class of 2023. The Women of the Year honorees were selected based on business and community involvement and achievements that have set the pace for the overall community.

“Kelly’s impact extends far beyond her legal work,” said Liskow managing partner Mark Latham. “She has taken on various leadership roles within the firm and currently serves as a member of our firm’s Board of Directors. She also co-leads the firm’s largest practice group, the Energy Litigation practice group. Kelly is a great lawyer, mentor, and leader, and we are proud to see her recognized for her many achievements.”

Kelly Becker is often retained by clients as appellate counsel for complex litigation, including environmental, energy, and commercial matters. Her appellate practice regularly includes cases before the Louisiana courts of appeal, the Louisiana Supreme Court, and the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Because of her experience, Kelly is frequently retained to write amicus briefs on behalf of businesses and trade organizations in matters of industry-wide significance. Kelly is certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization as an Appellate Practice Specialist. She is one of only fifteen lawyers in the state of Louisiana with this designation.

Kelly is active in many professional and community organizations. She is involved in energy-related associations such as The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law, the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association, and the Institute for Energy Law. She is also active in the Louisiana State Law Institute, serving as a Council Member and as a member of the Code of Civil Procedure Committee. She served on the Board of Directors for the New Orleans Bar Association (2019-2021) and is currently the Chairperson of the Appellate Practice Subcommittee. She is also active in the Louisiana State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Kelly is regularly recognized for her appellate practice by The Best Lawyers in America and the New Orleans Magazine. She has also been recognized by Chambers USA for her Energy & Natural Resources practice.

Kelly’s recognition comes on the heels of Liskow being named by CityBusiness Empowering Women as an organization that supports, elevates, and empowers women.

The Houston Business Journal has recognized Jana Grauberger, co-leader of the firm’s Energy Litigation group, as an honoree for the 2023 Women Who Mean Business Award. Jana will be recognized at an awards ceremony on October 13, and profiled along with the other honorees in the outlet’s October 13 print and online issues.

Launched in 2016, the Houston Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business Award acknowledges businesswomen based on their career achievements, overall contributions to company success, and leadership and community involvement in the Houston area. Jana’s recognition comes on the heels of Liskow being named by CityBusiness Empowering Women as an organization that supports, elevates, and empowers women.

“We are proud to see Jana recognized for the qualities we’ve always admired about her – committed dedication to her clients, our firm, and the greater Houston community,” said Liskow managing partner Mark Latham. “Jana has held many leadership positions at our firm, including roles on our compensation committee, recruiting committee, diversity committee, and board of directors. She has provided invaluable insight in each role, and we are grateful for her continuing contributions.”

Jana, who has been with the firm since 1997 and a member of Liskow’s Houston office since its inception in 2005, has experience negotiating contracts, advising on, and litigating the full range of energy topics. Her experience in Texas and Louisiana oil and gas law, coupled with an in-depth knowledge of the legal and regulatory regime applicable to federal offshore leasing and development has enabled her to advise clients in new areas, including offshore wind projects and onshore and offshore carbon capture projects. 

Jana is also active in professional community groups. She is a long-time member and dedicated supporter of the Women’s Energy Network, a global organization that educates, attracts, retains, and develops professionals working across the energy value chain. WEN’s mission is to provide networking opportunities and foster the career and leadership development of women who work in the energy industries. It currently has 25 local chapters across the United States and Mexico and approximately 6,000 members. Grauberger is a former president of the Houston chapter, she became the organization’s global president in 2020, and she is currently a board member of the WEN Foundation. She is also significantly involved in The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law, and the Institute for Energy Law.

“At Liskow, we are dedicated to serving our communities in ways that change and improve the lives of others,” said Jana, reflecting on her recognition. “Being recognized among such an incredible group of Houston businesswomen inspires me to continue my efforts – I feel more excited than ever to continue to execute impactful work that benefits our incredible energy and legal community.”

Liskow is proud to announce the firm has been named by CityBusiness Empowering Women as an organization that supports, elevates, and empowers women in the New Orleans area.

The CityBusiness Empowering Women program, launched this year, recognizes companies and organizations that have long shown a solid commitment to supporting and elevating women in the New Orleans area. The program was designed to showcase organizations’ tangible and innovative efforts to advance women in the workplace and community. Liskow, along with other deserving companies, will be recognized in the CityBusiness August 25th issue.

“We are thrilled to be recognized by CityBusiness Empowering Women as a firm that not only aggressively recruits and hires women and other diverse employees, but also goes the extra mile to develop, promote, and retain them,” said Liskow managing partner Mark Latham. “With women representing 60 percent of our employee base, cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment is a pillar of our strategic plan, represents our core values, and is essential to our culture.”

Liskow boasts an impressive track record of hiring, mentoring, and promoting women:

• The firm’s 2023 Summer Attorney Clerkship Program is 70% female and 90% diverse.
• The firm’s Board of Directors includes three women lawyers and is 43% diverse.
• The firm’s C-Suite includes four women and is 67% diverse.
• The firm’s total company leadership is 50% female.

“At Liskow, our dedication to attracting and retaining women goes beyond statistics – it’s about unleashing their potential and empowering them to shape the direction of the firm,” said Cherrell Simms Taplin, Liskow’s Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer. “This Women’s Equality Day, we want to celebrate the incredibly talented women of Liskow and renew our commitment to supporting and elevating women at all levels in the firm.”

The firm is consistently recognized by its clients for its diversity efforts, receiving Chevron’s Law Function’s Law Firm Diversity Award in 2019 and the inaugural BP Legal Diversity and Inclusion Award in 2017. The firm works tirelessly to combat inequality through a wide range of philanthropic and pro bono efforts, supporting dozens of organizations including:

• Louisiana State Bar Association’s Annual Conclave on Diversity in the Legal Profession
• National LGBTQ+ Bar Out & Proud Corporate Counsel Award Program
• United Negro College Fund Sponsorship Walk for Education
• Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association Events
• Women’s Energy Network’s Mentorship Program and Events
• University of Texas Women’s Power Summit on Law & Leadership
• The Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Legal Society Pathways and Pipelines Program and Annual Law Student Scholarship Gala
• Houston Bar Association’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee’s Summer Clerkship and Mentoring Program

Liskow and the firm’s women lawyers regularly receive recognition in publications such as New Orleans CityBusiness, Best Lawyers, Acadiana Profile, and Chambers & Partners. Its female attorneys also have gone on to serve in impressive roles, such as former Liskow lawyer Dana M. Douglas becoming the first Black Woman to be confirmed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Learn more about how Liskow empowers women by watching the video below or clicking here.

Liskow is pleased to announce that 12 lawyers have been recognized in the 2023 Inside New Orleans “Elite Lawyers” Edition.

Kelly Becker – Oil & Gas Law

James Brown – Legal Malpractice Law

Laura Brown – Environmental Law, and Oil & Gas Law

Lance Bullock – Admiralty & Maritime Law

Ryan Christiansen – Real Estate Law

Melanie Derefinko – Commercial Litigator

Kathryn Gonski – Oil & Gas Law

Shannon Holtzman – Commercial Litigator, and Construction Law

Carey Menasco – Commercial Litigator

David Reisman – Admiralty & Maritime Law

Ray Waid – Admiralty & Maritime Law

Cecilia Vazquez Wilson – Admiralty & Maritime Law

Inside New Orleans asks readers to nominate and vote for their top picks in several law categories. For more information, click here and visit page 32.

Liskow is pleased to announce that 114 lawyers are included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America^® (BL Rankings). Nine of these lawyers are listed as the “Lawyer of the Year” in their respective practice areas. Only one attorney in each practice area and designated metropolitan area receives this recognition.

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

• Bob Angelico – Tax Law (New Orleans)
• George Arceneaux – Oil and Gas Law (Lafayette)
• Cheryl Kornick – Litigation and Controversy – Tax (New Orleans)
• Amy Lee – Litigation – Environmental (Lafayette)
• Tommy McGoey – Litigation – Labor and Employment (New Orleans)
• Robert McNeal – Environmental Law and Litigation – Environmental (New Orleans)
• Trey Reymond – Mergers and Acquisitions Law (New Orleans)
• Leon Rittenberg – Nonprofit / Charities Law (New Orleans)
• Larry Simon – Natural Resources Law (Lafayette)

Those recognized as Best Lawyers^® Award Recipients include:

• Donald Abaunza — Admiralty and Maritime Law, Commercial Litigation, and Energy Law
• Neil Abramson — Litigation – Environmental, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Peggy Adams — Real Estate Law, Trusts and Estates
• Paul Adkins — Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Environmental, and Oil and Gas Law
• Alec Andrade — Commercial Litigation
• Bob Angelico — Tax Law
• John Anjier — Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Securities, Securities / Capital Markets Law
• Vanessa Waguespack Anseman — Energy Law
• George Arceneaux — Litigation – Environmental, and Oil and Gas Law
• Erin Bambrick — Energy Law
• Kelly Becker — Appellate Practice, Energy Law, Litigation – Environmental, and Oil and Gas Law
• Clare Bienvenu — Environmental Law
• Nora Bilbro — Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
• James Breaux — Real Estate Law
• Lauren Bridges — Environmental Law
• James Brown — Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants, Litigation – Antitrust, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, and Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants
• Laura Brown — Litigation – Environmental
• Lou Buatt —Environmental Law
• Brian Capell — Energy Law
• Michael Cash — Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Hunter Chauvin — Energy Law
• Julie Chauvin — Commercial Finance Law, and Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
• Ryan Christiansen — Banking and Finance Law, and Real Estate Law
• Sheri Corales — Commercial Litigation
• George Denegre — Commercial Litigation, and Litigation – Securities
• Melanie Derefinko — Commercial Litigation
• Tommy Diaz — Admiralty and Maritime Law
• Billy Domingue — Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Finance Law, Corporate Law, and Real Estate Law
• Kathleen Doody — Banking and Finance Law, Energy Law, and Oil and Gas Law
• Jonathan Fox — Energy Law, and Litigation – Environmental
• Joe Giglio — Corporate Law, Real Estate Law
• Michael Golemi ­— Admiralty and Maritime Law
• Kathryn Gonski — Energy Law
• Jana Grauberger — Energy Law
• J.P. Hebert — Energy Regulatory Law
• Shannon Holtzman — Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Construction
• Keith Jarrett — Admiralty and Maritime Law
• Brian Johnson — Real Estate Law
• Greg Johnson — Environmental Law, and Litigation – Environmental
• Matt Jones — Energy Law
• Kirk Jones — Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, and Litigation – Bankruptcy
• Paul Kitziger — Real Estate Law
• Cheryl Kornick — Commercial Litigation, Energy Law, Litigation and Controversy – Tax, and Tax Law
• James Lapeze — Energy Law, Litigation – Environmental, and Oil and Gas Law
• Mark Latham — Admiralty and Maritime Law, and Environmental Law
• Amy Lee —Litigation – Environmental
• David Leefe — Admiralty and Maritime Law, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Jeffrey Lieberman — Energy Law, and Energy Regulatory Law
• Marilyn Maloney — Banking and Finance Law, Energy Law, and Real Estate Law
• James Mansfield — Energy Law, Mining Law, Natural Resources Law, and Oil and Gas Law
• Anthony Marino — Energy Law, and Oil and Gas Law
• Tommy McGoey — Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, and Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Mark McNamara — Energy Law, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, and Oil and Gas Law
• Robert McNeal — Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental, and Oil and Gas Law
• Carey Menasco — Commercial Litigation, and Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants
• Bill Pugh — Admiralty and Maritime Law, Energy Law, and Oil and Gas Law
• Devin Reid — Admiralty and Maritime Law
• LuLu Reisman — Commercial Litigation
• David Reisman — Admiralty and Maritime Law, and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
• Jerome Reso — Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law, and Trusts and Estates
• Trey Reymond — Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
• Jamie Rhymes — Energy Law, Litigation – Environmental, and Oil and Gas Law
• Shawn Rhymes ­— Energy Law
• Leon Rittenberg — Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law, and Trusts and Estates
• April Rolen-Ogden — Energy Law, and Oil and Gas Law
• John Rouchell — Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Elder Law, Tax Law, and Trusts and Estates
• Michael Rubenstein — Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Kelly Scalise — Admiralty and Maritime Law
• Stephen Schott — Litigation – Real Estate, and Real Estate Law
• Bill Schwartz — Admiralty and Maritime Law, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Scott Seiler — Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Alma Shields — Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Larry Simon — Natural Resources Law, and Oil and Gas Law
• Matt Simone — Energy Law
• Randye Snyder — Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
• Tyler Trew — Commercial Litigation
• Raymond Waid — Admiralty and Maritime Law
• David Weiner — Real Estate Law
• Elizabeth Wheeler — Energy Law
• Steve Wiegand — Energy Law, Environmental Law, and Oil and Gas Law
• Jill Willhoft — Admiralty and Maritime Law, and Commercial Litigation
• Charles Wilmore — Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• John Wilson — Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, and Litigation – Environmental
• Joe Wilson — Trusts and Estates
• Brett Wise — Admiralty and Maritime Law

Those named to 2024 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch^® in America include:

• Alex Baynham — Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Lance Bullock — Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Hunter Curtis — Energy Law, and Litigation – Environmental
• Mark Deethardt — Energy Law
• Nena Eddy — Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Rebecca Guidry — Energy Law
• Joe Heaton — Energy Law
• Jackie Hickman — Commercial Litigation, Energy Law, and Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Randee Iles — Energy Law
• Michael Ishee — Energy Law
• Hayley Landry — Energy Law
• Caleb Madere — Energy Law
• Libby McIntosh — Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Kendra Haley Merchant — Tax Law
• C.J. Miller — Banking and Finance Law
• Michael Mims — Commercial Litigation, and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
• Trinity Morale — Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Jared Nelson — Energy Law, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
• John Parker — Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Ben Parks — Energy Law
• Jonas Patzwall — Energy Law
• Michael Schimpf — Energy Law
• Jody Schisel-Meslin — Transportation Law
• Jessie Shifalo — Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Cristian Soler — Energy Law
• Amy Tomlinson — Energy Law
• John Troutman — Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Emily von Qualen — Energy Law
• Cecilia Vazquez Wilson — Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants