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Liskow & Lewis Welcomes Five Associates to the Firm

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Liskow is pleased to announce five attorneys have joined the firm. 

Aubrey Denton is an energy litigator practicing in the firm’s Lafayette office. Prior to joining the firm, Aubrey served as a legal extern to the Honorable John deGravelles of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana. She received her Juris Doctor and Diploma of Comparative Law from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Louisiana State University. 

Melanie Derefinko is a litigator in the firm’s New Orleans office, who focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation involving disputes between businesses. She received her Juris Doctor, summa cum laude, from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. Before joining Liskow & Lewis, Melanie was a judicial intern for the Honorable J. Sterling Snowdy of the Fortieth Judicial District Court, and a judicial intern for the Honorable Fredericka Wicker of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Jacques Mestayer is a litigator practicing in the firm’s New Orleans office. Jacques’s practice primarily consists of representing clients in the Maritime, Oil and Gas, and Insurance industries. Before joining the firm, Jacques had the honor of serving as a law clerk to the Honorable W. Eugene Davis of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and as a judicial intern for Justice Marcus R. Clark of the Louisiana Supreme Court. He received his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Louisiana State University.

John Troutman is a litigator. He has experience representing clients in a wide variety of legal matters ranging from construction disputes to community property partitions; class actions to derivative actions; products liability to professional liability; collection lawsuits to bankruptcy proceedings; and more. John has taken cases to trial across Louisiana, and has represented clients in arbitrations, mediations, and administrative proceedings before state agencies. He received his Juris Doctor from Southern University Law Center.

Chauntelle Wood is a litigator in the firm’s Houston office. Prior to joining Liskow & Lewis, Chauntelle served as the Assistant District Attorney for the Harris County District Attorney’s office (DA’s office). She was the first chair attorney in 28 jury trials.  During her time at the District Attorney’s office, she served as a Senior Felony Prosecutor and a Misdemeanor Court Chief. Chauntelle is an Adjunct Professor at Texas Southern Thurgood Marshall School of Law where she teaches Trial Simulation. She received her Juris Doctor from Southern University Law Center. Chauntelle served as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force Reserves for 8 years.

Eight Liskow Attorneys named Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” and Fifty-Two Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America, BL Rankings, LLC, 2019

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Liskow is pleased to announce the lawyers listed in the 2019 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America, BL Rankings, LLC.

Eight Liskow lawyers are listed as “Lawyer of the Year” in their respective areas of practice:

George Arceneaux III – Oil and Gas Law

S. Gene Fendler – Admiralty and Maritime Law

Gene W. Lafitte – Oil and Gas Law

James N. Mansfield III – Energy Law

Thomas J. McGoey II – Litigation – Labor and Employment

Leon J. Reymond III –  Mergers and Acquisitions Law

Lawrence P. Simon, Jr. – Natural Resources Law

John M. Wilson – Litigation – Environmental

Only a single attorney in each practice area and designated metropolitan area is honored as a “Lawyer of the Year.” Selections for this honor are based on voting averages received during Best Lawyers peer review assessments. This designation reflects a high level of respect an attorney has earned among his or her peers regarding abilities, professionalism, and integrity.

Additionally, fifty-two Liskow lawyers were recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2019 Edition:

Donald R. Abaunza, Admiralty and Maritime Law

Marguerite L. Adams, Real Estate Law, Trusts and Estates

Robert S. Angelico, Tax Law

John C. Anjier, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Securities, Securities / Capital Markets Law

George Arceneaux III, Litigation – Environmental, Oil and Gas Law

Wm. Blake Bennett, Banking and Finance Law, Gaming Law

James L. Breaux, Real Estate Law

James A. Brown, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants, Litigation – Antitrust, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants

Louis E. Buatt, Environmental Law

Brian W. Capell, Energy Law

Michael P. Cash, Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants

George Denegre, Jr., Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Securities

Thomas P. Diaz, Admiralty and Maritime Law

Billy J. Domingue, Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Finance Law, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law

James C. Exnicios, Tax Law

S. Gene Fendler, Admiralty and Maritime Law, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants

Joseph C. Giglio, Jr., Corporate Law, Real Estate Law

Don K. Haycraft, Admiralty and Maritime Law, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants

Joseph P. Hebert, Energy Regulatory Law

Shannon Skelton Holtzman, Commercial Litigation

R. Keith Jarrett, Admiralty and Maritime Law

Greg L. Johnson, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental

Matt Jones, Energy Law

Philip K. Jones, Jr., Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy

Paul C. Kitziger, Real Estate Law

Cheryl Mollere Kornick, Commercial Litigation, Energy Law, Litigation and Controversy – Tax

Gene W. Lafitte, Antitrust Law, Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Energy Law, Natural Resources Law, Oil and Gas Law

David W. Leefe, Admiralty and Maritime Law, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants

Marilyn C. Maloney, Banking and Finance Law, Energy Law, Real Estate Law, Trademark Law

James N. Mansfield III, Energy Law, Mining Law, Natural Resources Law, Oil and Gas Law

Thomas J. McGoey II, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment

Robert B. McNeal, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental, Oil and Gas Law

Joe B. Norman, Commercial Litigation, Energy Law, Oil and Gas Law

William W. Pugh, Admiralty and Maritime Law

Gary Rachlin, Real Estate Law

Devin C. Reid, Admiralty and Maritime Law

Carol W. Reisman, Commercial Litigation

David L. Reisman, Admiralty and Maritime Law

Leon J. Reymond III, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law

Leon J. Reymond, Jr., Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law

Jamie D. Rhymes, Litigation – Environmental, Oil and Gas Law

April Rolen-Ogden, Energy Law, Oil and Gas Law

Kelly T. Scalise, Admiralty and Maritime Law

Scott C. Seiler, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants

Lawrence P. Simon, Jr., Natural Resources Law, Oil and Gas Law

Randye C. Snyder, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law

David J. Weiner, Real Estate Law

Charles B. Wilmore, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants

John M. Wilson, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Environmental

Brett D. Wise, Admiralty and Maritime Law

John D. Wogan, Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Trusts and Estates

Andrew Wooley, Commercial Litigation, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment

Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation. Almost 87,000 industry leading lawyers are eligible to vote (from around the world), and we have received almost 10 million evaluations on the legal abilities of other lawyers based on their specific practice areas around the world. For the 2019 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©, 7.8 million votes were analyzed, which resulted in almost 60,000 leading lawyers being included in the new edition. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers “the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice.”

Liskow Shareholder Beth Wheeler Named to CityBusiness' Women of the Year Class of 2018

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Liskow is proud to congratulate Beth Wheeler for her selection to New Orleans CityBusiness’ ‘Women of the Year’ 2018.

Beth was recognized for her success in the legal industry, as well as her work in the community. She is a shareholder in the firm’s New Orleans office focusing on a range of complex litigation matters, including environmental law and toxic tort litigation, oil and gas disputes, insurance disputes, commercial litigation, and construction contract litigation. Beth has represented clients in defending toxic tort and chemical exposure proceedings, oil and gas property litigation, class action breach of contract claims, and large construction disputes, including government contract disputes.

Beth says that her favorite thing about practicing law is working on the strategy of an argument or building a case for trial.  “This is most satisfying when done collaboratively and I have been honored to work with lawyers at prior firms and at Liskow who are great strategists and legal minds.”   Beth says that her ultimate goal as a lawyer is to communicate a message or argument clearly and succinctly. “I strive to provide just the right amount of information to my clients so he or she can make an informed decision knowing that they are inundated with information and pressed for time.”

Beth is passionate about Court Watch NOLA, a nonprofit organization that through citizen volunteers monitors all aspects of the New Orleans Parish Criminal Parish Court system to make sure they are doing their jobs effectively, transparently and efficiently. She is active on the Board (and now serves on the Advisory Board) of Court Watch NOLA.  Beth said, “I have enjoyed working with the organization and its many stakeholders as Court Watch has grown and expanded to make a real difference in our community.”

Beth is proud of the progress that the legal industry has made with diversity and inclusion, and Liskow & Lewis is proud that she is being recognized for the part that she has played. Beth encourages young females to consider the legal industry, she said, “I am proud to be a part of the inroads that female lawyers have achieved in the legal field. Starting the practice of law when working as a female associate was just becoming more widely accepted, law firms (with the help of technology) have evolved to allow more flexible schedules and a more reasonable work life balance increasing the opportunities for woman lawyers. I encourage any young female to consider the practice of law as a career.”

Started in 1999, Women of the Year recognizes 50 women from the area whose successes in business and contributions to the community have made them movers and shakers in the region. Honorees are innovative leaders who are making waves with their energy, ideas, achievements and commitment to excellence in the area. Honorees are selected based on business and community involvement and achievement that have set the pace for the overall community.

The National Bar Association Selects Dana M. Douglas as Recipient of the Women Lawyers Division Outstanding Minority Partner in Majority Firm Award

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Liskow is pleased to announce Dana M. Douglas has been selected as the recipient of the 2018 National Bar Association Women Lawyers Division Outstanding Minority Partner in Majority Firm Award. Dana will be recognized at the National Bar Association’s 2018 Awards Breakfast on July 31, 2018.

Dana is being recognized for her many achievements within her firm, community, and the civic and professional organizations in which she is involved. Her commitment and leadership skills are apparent through the positions that she holds. Dana is the President of the New Orleans Bar Association. She is also a Charter and Founding Member of the Louisiana Chapter of the Women’s Energy Network, Past President of the Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Society, and she served as Chair of the 2017 Annual Justice For All Ball.  Dana was recently selected as a “Women of the Year” honoree by New Orleans CityBusiness.

Dana’s service to the community has been formally recognized by many, including the Louisiana State Bar Association (“LSBA”) and the Federal Bar Association. In 2008, Dana was presented with the Louisiana State Bar Association’s President’s Award.  In 2016, she was presented the Federal Bar Association Camille Gavel Award, and in 2014, she received the LSBA Crystal Gavel Award. She was also a recipient of the 2017 Gillis Long Public Service Award from Loyola University School of Law. These recognitions speak to the difference Dana makes in the community. She is dedicated to diversity and inclusion in the practice of law and cites the importance of diversity across all spectrums in the field. Within Liskow & Lewis, Dana serves on the Diversity Committee and is head of the Paralegal Committee.

Dana received her Juris Doctor from Loyola University College of Law in New Orleans. She focuses her practice at Liskow & Lewis on energy, products liability, and intellectual property litigation in the state and federal courts of Louisiana and across a wide variety of industry sectors.

David Leefe is Recipient of Louisiana State Bar Association’s President’s Award

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Liskow is proud to announce David Leefe was awarded the Louisiana State Bar Association’s 2018 President’s Award. David was selected by the LSBA President for exemplary service to the Association throughout the Bar year.

David has practiced law for over 30 years, all with Liskow & Lewis, and his experience includes a broad range of litigation and contract matters. His practice emphasis is on maritime and offshore personal injury and property damage, drilling and downhole litigation, contractual indemnity, insurance coverage, maritime liens, and casualty investigation and response.  David chairs the firm’s 20+ member Maritime, Oilfield & Insurance section and serves as a point of contact for clients in need of maritime and casualty-related assistance. 

David plays an active role with the Louisiana State Bar Association.  He has served as a member of the LSBA House of Delegates for more than 20 years and was elected to the LSBA Board of Governors for the 2014-2017 term.  David is particularly proud of his service as the longtime Chair of the LSBA Client Assistance Fund Committee, whose mission is to reimburse individuals victimized by lawyer misconduct. 

David received his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University and his Juris Doctor from Loyola University College of Law.

Liskow Gives Back

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Liskow attorneys are involved in dozens of volunteer events. Pictured to the left, attorney Erin Bambrick speaks with students at a “STEM Day” attended by thousands of south Louisiana children. Attorney Laura Brown planned the industry-themed photo booth for the event in her role as Community Initiatives director of a women’s energy group.

Liskow Served as Derivatives Counsel to Chicago Bridge & Iron Company

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Liskow & Lewis served as derivatives counsel to Chicago Bridge & Iron Company for the business combination of the company with McDermott International, Inc. valued at $6 billion. 

The Liskow & Lewis team was led by corporate partner Nina Skinner with John Bradford advising on domestic and international tax and Joe Wilson providing deal support.

For additional information about the transaction, click here.

For additional information about the firm's derivatives practice, please contact Nina Skinner. 

Fifteen Liskow Lawyers, Eight Practice Areas Recognized in Chambers USA

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Liskow is pleased to announce practice area and lawyer rankings in the 2018 edition of Chambers USA – America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.

Chambers and Partners, an independent research-based company, identifies a select group of lawyers based on client recommendations and publishes lawyer and firm rankings in its guides, including Chambers USA. In order to be ranked, a lawyer must portray technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by the client.

The firm received esteemed first-band (first-tier) rankings for the state of Louisiana in the areas of Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, and Litigation: General Commercial.

The firm also received recognition in: Banking & Finance; Bankruptcy/Restructuring; Corporate/M&A; Labor & Employment; and Real Estate.

In addition, 15 Liskow & Lewis lawyers were ranked in the state of Louisiana in the 2018 edition of Chambers:

Banking & Finance

  • Wm Blake Bennett 

Banking & Finance: Marine Finance

  • Wm Blake Bennett 

Bankruptcy/Restructuring

  • Joseph P Hebert
  • Philip K Jones Jr 

Corporate/M&A

  • Leon J Reymond III 

Corporate/M&A: Tax

  • Robert S Angelico 
  • James C Exnicios 

Energy & Natural Resources: Oil & Gas

  • Lawrence P Simon Jr 

Environment

  • Louis Buatt 
  • Greg L. Johnson 
  • Robert B McNeal 

Environment: Litigation

  • Robert B McNeal 

Labor & Employment

  • Thomas McGoey II 

Labor & Employment: Employee Benefits & Compensation

  • Randye C Snyder 

Litigation

  • Donald R Abaunza 
  • James Brown

Real Estate

  • Marguerite L Adams

New Shareholder Kathryn Gonski Recognized as One to Watch in Law

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Kathryn Gonski was acknowledged by New Orleans CityBusiness as “One to Watch” in Law. She was recognized for her appellate practice and involvement in the energy industry. Kathryn’s appellate practice regularly includes cases before the Louisiana courts of appeal, the Louisiana Supreme Court, and the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal.  Her practice focuses on complex litigation, including environmental, energy, employment, and oil and gas matters. Kathryn is also frequently retained to write amicus briefs on behalf of businesses and trade organizations in matters of industry-wide significance.

For the second year in a row, Kathryn served as Co-Chair of the Institute for Energy Law’s National Young Energy Professionals’ Law Conference in New Orleans. She is a member of the Women’s Energy Network and was recently named a “Top Lawyer” by New Orleans Magazine. She was also named a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers. 

Kathryn received her Juris Doctor from Loyola University College of Law, summa cum laude, and was a member of the Loyola Law Review editorial board and a William L. Crowe Scholar.