Ian Atkinson and Kaja Elmer Recognized as 2026 Leadership in Law Honorees

Fishman Haygood Partners Ian Atkinson and Kaja Elmer were recently selected to the 2026 Leadership in Law class by New Orleans CityBusiness. The honor recognizes 55 legal professionals for both career excellence and community service.

Ian is a seasoned trial and appellate lawyer whose practice spans complex commercial litigation, white-collar criminal defense, and tax litigation. He represents plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes disputes in state and federal courts and has substantial experience handling matters through every stage of litigation, from pre-suit investigations and dispositive motion practice to trial and appeal.

Ian is a member of the Federal Bar Association – New Orleans Chapter Board of Directors. He is the Former Chair of the FBA’s Criminal Division.

Kaja represents businesses, investors, borrowers, trustees, and receivers in a wide range of commercial matters in state and federal courts. Her practice includes commercial disputes, securities fraud actions, and bankruptcy-related litigation, with experience handling claims involving statutory violations, breach of contract, misrepresentation, and breach of fiduciary duty.

Kaja often represents litigants in federal and state court on a pro bono basis and is a member of the Eastern District of Louisiana’s Civil Pro Bono Counsel Panel. She also serves as Communications Co-Chair on the Association for Women Attorneys – New Orleans Board of Directors.

Honorees will be celebrated at an in-person event at the New Orleans Museum of Art on Oct. 5, 2026. A special Leadership in Law insert profiling all honorees will run in the Oct. 15 issue of CityBusiness.

Congratulations to these outstanding Fishman Haygood attorneys!