In the wake of Hurricane Ida, businesses should look to their insurance policies to find coverage, whether for property damage, business interruption losses, or other covered losses. Fishman Haygood’s team of experienced insurance coverage attorneys successfully litigated many substantial property damage, business interruption, and other claims in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and other events.  Our attorneys will analyze your insurance policies to determine whether your business may have a viable claim. If our team determines your business may have a claim, Fishman Haygood can help with all phases of your insurance claim, including preparation and submission of your claim and litigation of your claim if your insurer wrongfully denies coverage.  Read more here.

We are saddened to announce the death of our dear friend and colleague Henry F. “Skip” O’Connor, Jr. who passed away on August 19, 2021.  Skip was an extraordinary person and friend, and a true gentleman of great character.  He was also an exceptional real estate attorney and businessman.

Skip began his legal career with the firm of Steeg and O’Connor and was responsible for many significant real estate developments in the City of New Orleans and elsewhere.  He was instrumental in the redevelopment of commercial properties along the Mississippi River in New Orleans, including the One River Place Development and the redevelopment of the Historic Jax Brewery Complex.  Skip later became a real estate developer and developed numerous limited-service Marriott hotels throughout the state.

Over a decade ago, Skip brought his expertise and exceedingly good nature to Fishman Haygood, where he finished his legal career.  We valued Skip not only as an exceptional real estate attorney but as a great friend and colleague.  From his early days at the DKE house on Henry Clay to numerous New Orleans and North Carolina social settings, Skip always had a joyful spark in his eyes, an easy smile, and, hands down, the best stories.  We will miss him.

We extend our condolences to Skip’s family and to his many friends who knew him well. Skip’s obituary can be found here.

Cargill, Continental Grain Company, and Sanderson Farms, Inc. (NASDAQ: SAFM) announced today they have reached a definitive agreement for a joint venture between Cargill and Continental Grain to acquire Sanderson Farms for $203 per share in cash, representing a total equity value for Sanderson Farms of $4.53 billion. Upon completion of the transaction, Cargill and Continental Grain will combine Sanderson Farms with Wayne Farms, a subsidiary of Continental Grain, to form a new, privately held poultry business.  Fishman Haygood LLP is serving as co-counsel to Sanderson Farms together with Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.  Fishman Haygood’s team is led by partners Louis Fishman and Maureen Gershanik. A copy of the press release announcing the transaction is attached here.

Fishman Haygood proudly announces that Blair Schilling and Danny Dysart join the firm’s partnership.

Blair represents clients in a wide range of commercial matters in federal and state courts, with a concentration in environmental law. In her environmental work, she brings cases on behalf of  landowners against some of the oil and gas industry’s largest operators for contamination of oilfield sites, land loss, equipment removal, and groundwater contamination.

Danny’s practice focuses on all aspects of civil litigation, including personal injury, products liability, breach of contract, unfair trade practices, redhibition, and claims involving the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Oil Pollution Act.

Both Blair and Danny are recognized by Best Lawyers as “One to Watch” in their practice areas.  Fishman Haygood is thrilled to have these capable and excellent attorneys join the partnership.

See the firm’s formal announcements here and here.

Fishman Haygood has expanded its capabilities to assist clients dealing with distressed businesses and properties (whether as a creditor or debtor) which may include restructuring and formal bankruptcy cases, with the addition of three leading lawyers – William H. Patrick, III, Tristan E. Manthey and Cherie Dessauer Nobles and their support staff.

Billy Patrick and Tristan Manthey will head the firm’s restructuring and bankruptcy practice. The team was previously with Heller, Draper, Patrick, Horn & Manthey.…

Best Lawyers has recognized Mike Dodson, Danny Dysart, Carson Haddow, Blair Schilling, Rebekka Veith, and Molly Wells as “Ones to Watch”.   Best Lawyers uses a peer review methodology to recognize attorneys who are earlier in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States. Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch” recipients typically have been in practice for 5-9 years.  See the announcement here.

Because the overall market has performed well over the past several years, a great deal of investor losses and broker misconduct has gone undetected.  Many investors have lost money in the recent decline of the market due to COVID-19, but for some investors, negligence or other misconduct on the part of a broker or financial advisor has caused excessive and unnecessary losses that could have been prevented.  Fishman Haygood’s team of securities lawyers is here to help.  Click here for more information.

As more investors eye lucrative investment opportunities in Qualified Opportunity Zones, the SEC and state regulators will be monitoring securities activities associated with the program. Maureen Gershanik advises that, at the federal level, careful compliance with these four areas of securities regulations will help avoid costly violations that could delay or even prevent a transaction: Securities Offering Regulation, Broker-Dealer Regulation, Investment Adviser Regulation, and Investment Company Act Regulation.  Learn more in Maureen’s article that was recently published by the ABA Probate & Property Magazine.

The Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund today announced the opening of the calendar year 2019 allocation round of the federal new markets tax credit (NMTC). Applications are due October 28, 2019. The CDFI Fund anticipates announcing 2019 NMTC awards in summer 2020. The CDFI Fund provides resources including an introduction to the NMTC program, the NMTC program application, the Notice of Allocation Availability (NOAA), an Awards Management Information System navigation guide, an application FAQ and an application roadmap presentation here.

The Opportunity Zones (“OZ”) tax incentive allows taxpayers to defer until 2026 taxes on capital gains if those profits are reinvested in opportunity funds–which are equity funds that invest in businesses in opportunity zones.  Read more about Opportunity Zones here.  If you have questions about Opportunity Zones, contact Charles Landry.

Real Estate Developers in Louisiana can receive tax dollars to enhance projects through Economic Development Districts (EDDs).  EDDS are strictly defined geographic areas that are authorized and created by ordinance of the city or parish where they are located.  The vast majority of EDDs generate tax revenues for real estate developments from sales and use taxes and hotel occupancy taxes, though property taxes may also be used.  Read more about EDDs here. If you have questions about Opportunity Zones, contact John Werner or  Charles Landry.

Fishman Haygood and New Orleans CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women), welcomes CREW delegates from across the country for the 2019 CREW Network Leadership Summit.  This multifaceted meeting brings together the top leaders in CREW Network to learn from one another about chapter management, but also to learn from leading experts about the critical leadership skills that give you the business advantage.