September 24, 2007

We’re Number 1 – For the Fifth Straight Time

For the fifth straight year, our firm was ranked in the top tier of Louisiana Corporate and M&A law firms in America’s Leading Business Lawyers, published by Chambers & Partners. The firm was hailed as "the dominant securities firm in Louisiana . . . the natural first choice if you want to go public." Firm partner Louis Fishman was acclaimed as the one of the number one practitioners in the corporate and M&A fields, and every partner of the firm over 35 was hailed as a top practitioner in his or her field.

Local practitioners interviewed by Chambers lauded the firm's “exemplary team that has been active in many large deals in Louisiana for decades.” Chambers also noted that our lawyers are held "among the best in the state for their understanding and experience of the local market.”

Clients raved that our lawyers were "responsive, practical and easy to deal with," and were equally satisfied by our "proven track record of success . . . across a multitude of sectors," as by our "integrity and commitment to billing clients fairly."

Here’s what else Chambers says about us:

Corporate / M&A

Peers continue to hold high esteem for senior partners Louis Fishman and Paul Haygood, among the "long-established elder statesmen" of Louisiana corporate law. Fishman's "impeccable judgment" and "strikingly pleasant demeanor" were much discussed, along with his unparalleled ability to understand, "in a practical sense, the effect of the law on a client's business." Commentators raved about Haygood, "an 11 out of 10 lawyer", with an "outstanding reputation" among the bar and "great intellectual ability" across all areas of M&A and Corporate law. Close on their coattails, Robert Walmsley impressed with his work in acquisitions and financing transactions. His "creative and steady approach" was highly valued by clients across a broad range of businesses, including major local sports teams. Eager interviewees recognized the firm's youngest M&A and business partner, John Werner, as "an innovative problem solver who handles complicated problems in an efficient timescale."

Banking & Finance

Describeds as "friendly yet experienced and professional," the Firm's growing banking practice offers expertise in a diverse range of transactions, and is equally adept at servicing both borrowers and lenders...

Scott Willis received much-deserved praise from clients for his comprehensive approach to banking transactions and for his flexibility and trustworthiness across financings, securitizations and banking transactions for any size of client...

Commercial Litigation

The firm's close-knit five-lawyer team has a reputation for handling "sophisticated and high-profile matters" for many of the state's big-name clients, including securities disputes, class actions, insurance coverage disputes, and media and IP litigation. . . .

James Swanson was praised for his "absolutely vital" ability to "negotiate a minefield of potential options in successfully concluding a case." His recent successes representing US Unwired and Amedisys were much praised, as well as his work in the firm's landmark arbitration judgment against Securities America. "Up-and-coming individual" Loretta Mince was noted for her prominent first amendment work representing the Times-Picayune and other major media organizations. . . .


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