Grand Isle Maritime Lawyers

Jeffrey P. Berniard received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance at McNeese State University, in Lake Charles, Louisiana in 2001 and received his Juris Doctorate degree at Loyola University New Orleans School of Law in 2004. Jeffrey opted to study in the state of Louisiana, his home, in order to stay close and stay connected to the state he loves and the state he grew up in.

Immediately following his graduation, Jeffrey Berniard was admitted to practice law in the state of Louisiana, including being able to practice in the Eastern, Western, and Middle Districts of Louisianaís U.S. District...

Hugh Lambert founded The Lambert Firm (now Lambert Zainey Smith & Soso) in 1977 and has since grown the firm to one of the most prestigious and well respected firms in New Orleans, representing individuals and businesses alike in a wide range of legal matters. In addition to his legal representation, Hugh Lambert is a frequent lecturer across the United States on class actions and mass torts. He has also authored and published legal articles. He has held a broad range of leadership positions in many organizations devoted to law, civic and charitable pursuits. He is a member in good...

Tom's practice focuses on personal injury and criminal defense litigation in all Federal and State Courts. He has successfully taken on big corporations and local, state and federal governments in personal injury and criminal defense cases. Tom has helped injured clients and their families who have suffered catastrophic personal injuries and tragic wrongful deaths. He has handled a variety of personal injury cases across the state of Louisiana, including maritime and offshore accidents. He also represents individuals accused of violent and non-violent criminal conduct, as well as grand jury investigations and regulatory matters. Tom has...

A graduate of Tulane University School of Law, an avid gardener, and a history buff, Louis lives in New Orleans, Louisiana. He enjoys speaking French and is an advocate for French language and culture in Louisiana. Bringing more than 50 years of legal experience to the table, Louis R. Koerner, Jr. can assist you with complex litigation and appeals related to maritime and personal injury cases. Certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization.

"Having been involved in a catastrophic car wreck only a few years ago, I know exactly what's it like to be laid up in a hospital for days, not be able to work or do normal daily activities for months at a time, and stuck wondering how you'll pay for a new car or your medical bills. I know the aggravation and frustration that my clients have because they can't drive, have to go to treatment, or simply hate waking up in the morning because they're sore. It's because of this first-hand knowledge that I am able to relate to...

Corey E. Dunbar is a partner with the firm focusing on litigation in both federal and state courts. Whether handling large business disputes or small personal matters, Corey advises clients of the most efficient procedure to obtain the desired outcome in any dispute. Corey has tried cases in the federal courts of the Eastern District of Louisiana and the Southern District of Texas, as well as local state courts. Corey has argued before the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal and handled numerous appeals in both federal and state appeals courts. In addition to his...

I learned early on that as a lawyer, I could change people’s lives for the better. A few years ago, I had a client who worked for one company as a tankerman for 20 years. He was ordered into a crawlhole during a storm to check the radar, and as he was getting out, the boat hit a swell. He was thrown backwards and ended up with a spine injury. He went from being the main provider for his family to borrowing money to get a Coke and sleeping on people’s sofas. The day of the trial, the company offered us $100,000. The jury...

Robert Killeen was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1962. He attended Tulane University in New Orleans where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 1984, and a Juris Doctor in 1987. Mr. Killeen was admitted to the Louisiana Bar in 1987, and the Texas Bar in 1990. He is also admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, United States Court of Federal Claims, United States District Courts for the Southern, Eastern, Northern and Western Districts of Texas, and United States District Courts for the Western, Middle and Eastern Districts...

Maro Petkovich, Jr. is a founding member of Bowes, Petkovich & Palmer, LLC and serves as the firm’s managing member. He operated Petkovich Law Firm for 6 years before merging his practice into the firm. Prior to going into business for himself, he already had years of experience representing some of the nation’s largest companies. His time representing various Fortune 500 companies as a creditors’ rights attorney and a former insurance defense attorney gives him the insight to effectively navigate cases and stay ahead of the curve. His practice continues to center on representing regional and...

Randy Russell is a an experienced, skilled and aggressive trial attorney who has successfully litigated matters for his clients throughout Southeast Louisiana for the past eighteen (18) years involved in significant personal injury, wrongful death, workers' compensation and first party insurance cases. Randy's prior experience defending major casualty insurance companies gives him unique insight as to the insurance claims handling process. Through this experience, Randy understands the inner workings of how insurers evaluate claims and he knows how to successfully support and present claims to insurers to ensure that his clients timely recover all damages that they are entitled to....

A partner of Montgomery, Barnett, Brown, Read, Hammond & Mintz, Patrick O'Keefe is engaged in general maritime trial and appellate practice involving personal injury and death with particular expertise in defense of claims arising under the Longshore Act, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the Defense Base Act and the Jones Act. A member of the American Bar Association, the Louisiana State Bar Association, the New Orleans Bar Association, the Maritime Law Association of the United States, the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute (Chairman, 1989), the Dublin Solicitors Bar Association. Mr. O'Keefe is also a member of the Federal Bar...

Pat Patrick (ppatrick@patrickmillerlaw.com) graduated from the University of South Alabama and from Tulane Law School in 1984, where he served as Articles Editor for the Tulane Law Review. Prior to the formation of Patrick Miller LLC he was a partner in a large New Orleans law firm. Pat's practice focuses on insurance, tort, indemnity, workers' compensation (state and LHWCA), and maritime issues. He has handled environmental and toxic tort cases in regard to both property damage and personal injury aspects. He handles cases at all levels of the state and federal court systems. He is a registered lobbyist in Louisiana....