News

Liskow is pleased to announce the addition of Jack Aguillard to the firm’s Lafayette office.

Jack Aguillard is an associate in the firm’s Business Transactions practice group. He represents private companies and individuals in commercial transactions including acquisitions, dispositions, and mergers. In addition, he guides clients through commercial loan projects, corporate governance matters, and business succession planning.

Before joining the firm, Jack practiced in the Houston office of an international law firm, where he focused on commercial and acquisition financings, as well as mergers and acquisitions. 

Jack received his Juris Doctor, summa cum laude, from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Louisiana State University in 2023.

The firm is excited to announce that three attorneys were selected to join The Leadership Council on Legal Diversity’s (LCLD) programs for 2025. Melanie Derefinko was selected as a 2025 LCLD Fellow, and Nicolette Kraska and Melanie Cruthirds were both invited to join the 2025 Pathfinders program. These programs help prepare diverse attorneys in their careers with professional and personal development, leadership training, and provide resources for relationship building.

In it’s fourteenth year, the LCLD Fellows Program is an ambitious, highly structured initiative built to increase diversity at the leadership levels of the nation’s law firms and corporate legal departments.

The LCLD Pathfinder Program is designed to train attorneys in critical career-development strategies including leadership and the building of professional networks. Pathfinders are selected by leaders at LCLD member corporations and law firms and have been identified as diverse, early-career emerging leaders who have, or have the potential to distinguish themselves within their organization.

The LCLD was founded in 2009 by the country’s leading general counsel and managing partners to provide the next generation of diverse attorneys with the tools and knowledge to excel in the legal profession. The council has more than 400 corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners who have committed to creating a truly diverse legal profession. Liskow is continually seeking opportunities to expand its knowledge and awareness around diversity and inclusion and the firm is proud to collaborate with organizations, such as the LCLD, that are also committed to making the legal industry more diverse and inclusive.

As New Orleans continues to mourn the New Year’s Day attack in the French Quarter, 23 local law firms have joined together to donate more than $47,000 to the Greater New Orleans Foundation’s (GNOF) “New Orleans New Year’s Day Tragedy Fund” to help the victims of this horrible act of violence. GNOF’s dedicated fund will serve as a resource to aid the families of those whose lives were taken and those seriously injured by the tragedy.

The participating New Orleans law firms are:

• Adams and Reese LLP
• Baker Donelson
• Barrasso Usdin Kupperman Freeman & Sarver, L.L.C.
• Carver Darden Koretzky Tessier Finn Blossman & Areaux LLC
• Chaffe McCall LLP
• Christovich & Kearney, LLP
• Deutsch Kerrigan
• Gainsburgh, Benjamin, David, Meunier & Warshauer, L.L.C.
• Gordon Arata
• Kean Miller LLP
• Krebs Farley
• Laborde Siegel L.L.C.
• Liskow
• Lowe Stein, LLC
• Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand & Brackett, LLC
• Phelps
• Plauché Maselli Parkerson LLP
• Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson, LLP
• Pugh Accardo LLC
• Sher Garner Cahill Richter Klein & Hilbert, L.L.C.
• Lewis, Kullman, Sterbcow & Abramson
• Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann L.L.C.
• Taylor, Wellons, Politz & Duhe, LLC

Please see below links to learn more or make a donation:
Click here for more about the GNOF New Orleans New Year’s Day Tragedy Fund.
Click here to make a GNOF donation to the New Orleans New Year’s Day Tragedy Fund.

Liskow is pleased to announce the addition of six associates to the firm.

The firm recently welcomed the following associates:

Margaret Chavez is an associate in the firm’s Energy practice group in the Houston office. She received her Juris Doctor from the American University Washington College of Law in 2022, where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the American University Law Review and received the Outstanding Graduate Award. Margaret has a robust background in litigation and regulatory matters, developed through internships at the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and the United States Department of Energy.

Katelyn Davis is an associate in the firm’s Energy practice group in the Baton Rouge office. She received her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Louisiana State University in 2024. During her time at LSU Law, Katelyn served as a teaching assistant for Professor William Corbett and as the Director of Education and Youth Outreach for the Public Interest Law Society.

Alexandra “Alex” Gjertson is an associate in the firm’s Energy practice group in the Lafayette office. She earned her Juris Doctor, summa cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 2021, where she served as Managing Senior Editor of the Notre Dame Law Review. During law school, Alex gained valuable experience as a judicial extern to the Honorable Michael G. Gotsch of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana and the Honorable Nannette Jolivette Brown of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Caroline McCullars is an associate in the firm’s Energy practice group in the New Orleans office. She received her Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Louisiana State University in 2024. While in law school, Caroline was the Managing Editor of the Louisiana Law Review. Prior to becoming an attorney, Caroline earned a degree in coastal and environmental science.

Angela Sorensen is an associate in the firm’s Energy practice group in the Houston office. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2021. During law school, she served as the Assistant Article Editor and Articles Review Board Member of the Oklahoma Law Review. Before joining the firm, Angela served as a law clerk for the United States Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division and the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma.

Chace Vienne is an associate in the firm’s Energy practice group in the New Orleans Office. He received his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Tulane Law School in 2021.  While at Tulane, Chace served as the Associate and Managing Editor of the Tulane Law Review. Prior to joining the firm, Chace served as a law clerk to the Honorable Dana M. Douglas of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and to the Honorable Elizabeth E. Foote of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. He also served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Dee D. Drell of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.

Liskow is proud to announce it has opened a New York office with the addition of Michael Fernandez and William H. Yost who join as shareholders in the firm’s Maritime Practice Group. They represent maritime industry leaders such as Hapag-Lloyd and CMA CGM and previously worked at a distinguished maritime law firm in New York. The new shareholders join four current Liskow attorneys who are licensed to practice in New York, including Ray Waid, the leader of the firm’s Maritime Industry Group.

“With 30 maritime attorneys, many of whom have worked in the industry, our clients appreciate when we welcome new attorneys especially ones that have real world industry experience,” says Mark Latham, President and Managing Shareholder of Liskow. “We are thrilled to welcome Michael and William to Liskow and look forward to expanding our work in New York, an important port region for many of our clients.”

Liskow has one of the largest maritime legal teams in the country providing an array of services to clients and is lead counsel representing the State of Maryland for all maritime claims arising out of the allision of the M/V DALI with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. The incident is the largest marine insurance claim in the world for 2024 and the largest single maritime property damage claim in U.S. history.

Michael Fernandez received a J.D. from Rutgers Law School and has had more than 30 years of experience as a litigator in the practice of maritime law. Prior to law school, he graduated from the prestigious U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and thereafter sailed as a deck officer on various types of vessels, including tankers, containerships, general cargo, and roll on-roll off and ultimately achieved an Unlimited Master’s License.   

Mr. Fernandez regularly handles and advises clients both domestically and internationally on all types of maritime related matters, including major marine casualties, environmental law and pollution, shipboard and company internal investigations, state and federal civil and criminal investigations and proceedings, regulatory matters, as well as all types of vessel, property, and cargo loss/damage claims. Chambers and Partners notes that he “offers significant expertise handling marine casualties, including vessel damages, as well as vessel seizures and related investigations.” Mr. Fernandez represents, among others, major ship owning companies and routinely interfaces with senior company management on high profile matters in order to provide important guidance and strategy.

William Yost is a maritime litigator who routinely handles a wide array of matters involving damage and loss to property and cargo, regulatory claims, penalties, and investigations before the Federal Maritime Commission and Customs and Border Protection, marine pollution, shipboard, terminal, trucking, and other personal injury claims, as well as charter party and commercial disputes. He received his J.D.  from Roger Williams University School of Law.

“The lawyers at Liskow are highly respected in the industry and we are thrilled to be joining a team with such expertise, capability, and depth,” said Fernandez. 

“Our firm is proud to be part of the maritime industry and is dedicated to meeting the evolving needs of our clients. Expanding into New York and welcoming talented lawyers like Michael and William exemplify that commitment,” says David Reisman, co-leader of the firm’s Maritime Practice Group and former General Counsel for one of the world’s leading marine salvage and wreck removal contractors.

Liskow’s New York office is located at 11 Broadway, Suite 615 New York, NY 10004. 

For a deeper understanding of our experience, please watch the video below.

Liskow has been ranked nationally in 7 practice areas and regionally in 53 practice areas in the 2025 Best Law Firms® list. Firms included in the 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 and Gas Law

Houston

• Admiralty and Maritime Law
• Banking and Finance Law
• Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Commercial Litigation
• Energy Law
• Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
• Oil and Gas Law
• Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Real Estate Law

Lafayette

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

New Orleans

• Admiralty and Maritime Law
• Appellate Practice
• Banking and Finance Law
• Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization 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
• Labor Law – Management
• Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants
• Litigation – Antitrust
• Litigation – Bankruptcy
• Litigation – Construction
• Litigation – Environmental
• Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Litigation – Real Estate
• Litigation – Securities
• Litigation – Trusts and Estates
• Litigation and Controversy – Tax
• Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
• Mergers and Acquisitions Law
• Nonprofit / Charities Law
• Oil and Gas Law
• Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants
• Real Estate Law
• Tax Law
• Trusts and Estates

Additionally, 118 Liskow lawyers are recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2025 edition.

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. To learn more about their methodology, click here.

On September 24, 2024, Liskow filed a lawsuit on behalf of the State of Maryland, the Maryland Attorney General, and all State agencies in matters related to the DALI’s allision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge. With one of the largest maritime practice groups in the country, Liskow has played a lead role in many of the largest maritime incidents in the world. We are proud to represent the State of Maryland, as well as clients all over the country. Please see the press release for more information: https://lnkd.in/ePaa8TDg.

New Orleans CityBusiness has recognized Liskow shareholder Clare Bienvenu as an honoree for the Women of the Year Class of 2024. Honorees were selected based on business and community involvement and achievements that have set the pace for the overall community.

Clare Bienvenu is an environmental regulatory and litigation lawyer who has practiced in both Louisiana and California, working with clients across the United States. Clare counsels clients regarding complex environmental regulatory, enforcement, and permitting issues spanning the range of air, water, and waste matters. She draws on her significant litigation experience to guide regulatory issues to sound legal outcomes and has successfully defended permitting records and agency decisions in court. Clare uses her engineering background on behalf of clients to navigate complicated regulatory programs and effectively communicate with regulators and consultants on technical matters.

Clare facilitates the permitting and regulatory aspects of major industrial development projects. Her recent experience extends to the energy transition where she has advised on renewable energy, clean energy, and carbon sequestration projects. She regularly advises on environmental justice considerations in the context of project development and agency permitting.

Clare is also involved in many professional and community organizations. As a member of the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law, she contributes to advancing legal frameworks related to environmental and energy issues. Her involvement with the Air & Waste Management Association’s Louisiana Section and the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Section of Environmental Law further underscores her commitment to addressing environmental challenges through legal and regulatory means. Clare’s leadership as Chair of the Environmental Committee for the New Orleans Bar Association highlights her influence in shaping local environmental policy and practice. Additionally, her participation in the GNOwind Alliance with GNO, Inc. reflects her support for renewable energy initiatives, while her membership in the Women’s Energy Network emphasizes her role in fostering women’s leadership within the energy sector.

Clare’s recognition comes on the heels of Liskow being recognized by New Orleans CityBusiness once again as an organization that supports, elevates, and empowers women.

Liskow is proud to announce that Michael Rubenstein and J.T. Kittrell have been selected to the 2024 Texas Super Lawyers list.

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.