June 15, 2011

Firm lawyers ranked in Chambers USA 2011

Seven of our eight partners and a former partner who is now Of Counsel to the firm are ranked in the 2011 edition of Chambers USA. Four are ranked in Louisiana Corporate/M&A, including Paul Haygood, who is of counsel to the firm and is ranked as a "Senior Statesman." Two of our partners are among only three Louisiana lawyers ranked in Securities Litigation. Two of our partners are ranked in Commercial Litigation, including James Swanson in Band 1. One partner, Sterling Scott Willis, is ranked both in Banking & Finance and Real Estate; another, John Werner, is ranked in both the Banking & Finance and the Corporate/M&A categories. Our one partner who is not ranked by Chambers USA was recently elected a partner in June 2010.

Chambers USA 2011 has this to say about our ranked lawyers:

Banking and Finance: Louisiana

Sources say:"A true bankers' firm: it really gets to the heart of the issues, and understands a bank's concerns."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sterling Scott Willis is "a pleasure to work with," according to happy clients. He has an excellent reputation for real estate finance work and is active with the ABA's real estate subcommittee. He recently represented Citibank in a financing for Lafitte Housing Project Redevelopments. Clients have "full confidence" in John Werner, thanks to his thoroughness and forward thinking. A recent work highlight saw him handling the $37 million financing of a mixed-use residential and commercial building for Whitney National Bank. This was the first project in the country to combine federal and state new markets and historic tax credits with a Federal Housing Administration-insured loan.

Corporate/M&A: Louisiana

Sources say: "This firm is great at cutting to the chase and getting to the heart of every matter."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Louis Fishman has a large following of long-standing clients, many of whom have "absolute confidence" in him. As well as involvement in the larger transactions that the firm handles, Fishman advises a number of privately held companies and individuals on corporate and commercial issues. "Very thorough attorney" Robert Walmsley advises business clients on acquisitions of banks and is currently representing SMG, the State of Louisiana's property management vehicle, on matters concerning a number of professional sports franchises. John Werner advises lenders, borrowers and tax credit allocatees in a variety of tax credit financings. He has worked with television and movie companies advising on tax in this area. Paul Haygood is "outstanding and a man of distinction." He has advised numerous financial institutions on corporate finance matters and also works with high net worth individuals on estate planning matters.

Commercial Litigation: Louisiana

Sources say: "Both the litigation team and indeed the entire firm are extremely skilled."

KEY INDIVIDUALS James Swanson enjoys a fine reputation among his peers, who consistently praise him as a "quality lawyer." Though he has a broad general commercial practice, he is particularly well known for securities litigation. Loretta Mince has particular strength in insurance and media cases, having recently acted on behalf of The Times-Picayune. Clients appreciate her "knowledge of the market from the ground up and ability to translate complex legal jargon into layman's terms." Younger partner Joseph Peiffer specializes in representing plaintiffs in actions against broker-dealers.

Real Estate: Louisiana

Sterling Scott Willis has an excellent reputation for his handling of real estate financings and related matters. "He is one of those guys who knows so much about real estate, he makes your business easy."

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