Empire Succession (Probate) Lawyers

Bill Cherbonnier is a New Orleans native and a graduate of Jesuit High School and Tulane University Law School. He grew up on the West Bank and currently lives on the East Bank, and has offices on both sides of the river. His law practice includes all of South Louisiana and employs the latest technology to communicate with clients. Most initial consultations are conducted by telephone and are usually free. Bill is a trial lawyer who has represented plaintiff personal injury claimants, insurance company defendants, and an occasional alleged felon. He believes that the middle class in America is the forgotten...

Ciolino & Onstott provides high-quality, cost-effective outside general counsel services to individuals and small to medium-sized businesses in Louisiana and across the United States. We represent clients across various industries, including niche areas such as real estate, construction, entertainment, medical marijuana, and non-profit.

Robert T. Weimer is a partner of the firm and oversees its estate/succession litigation division. He holds in-depth experience with mental health disputes and family law matters, offering clients his expertise on complicated successions as well as conflicts among executors, legatees, and heirs. With extensive experience in family law, Robert is a reliable attorney who has successfully represented clients on numerous issues including but not limited to custody, visitation, divorce, tutorship and curatorship. Moreover, he regularly speaks at conferences related to estate matters in Louisiana. Licensed by both Texas and Louisiana Bar Associations as well as being an active member...

I attended law school at Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1978. I completed law school and was admitted to the State Bar in 1981. I have worked in the personal injury field and defended criminal cases throughout the State of Louisiana. I have worked as legal counsel for the State of Louisiana in children in need of care matters.

I have served as a college professor and taught in the paralegal programs, and criminal justice. I am comfortable in the small towns and in the big cities. Nothing satisfies me more...

I have practiced law for the past 40 plus years. I am licensed in Louisiana, Mississippi, and the District of Columbia.

Ms. Casteix is Managing Partner of Barrios Kingsdorf & Casteix LLP. Her practice primarily focuses on business and real estate transactions as well as estate planning and administration (successions). She is a native and lifelong resident of New Orleans. After receiving her J.D. from Loyola University School of Law, Ms. Casteix began her legal career as a law clerk for the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans. In 1980 she became a partner in the firm of Cleveland, Barrios, Kingsdorf & Casteix where she remained a partner until 1995 when Barrios, Kingsdorf & Casteix was founded....

In 2005, Gregory S. Marsiglia joined Lowe, Stein, Hoffman, Allweiss & Hauver, LLP, having practiced law in New Orleans since 1997 in a variety of commercial, corporate, and general civil litigation, and in a variety of corporate, real estate, and business transactions. Mr. Marsiglia also advises corporate and commercial clients on formation and planning issues, internal governance, in a variety of contractual matters. His construction litigation and contracting practice has been a steady and significant portion of the practice during the past ten years, as has general commercial litigation for clients in other industries. Mr. Marsiglia also has...

Are you looking for a probate lawyer in New Orleans, yet unsure of where you can even begin to search for the right attorney? While it is true that estate planning and probate are weighty and involve many serious facets and aspects, you do not need to be overwhelmed by them. Instead, be proactive and seek out the help your case requires. Attorney Gary S. Brown attended Louisiana State University, where he received his Juris Doctorate. He is a member of the Federal Bar Association, the Louisiana State Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. Attorney Robert Weimer received his...

Mr. Eckstein has been AV rated by Martindale Hubbell for over 30 years; he has been selected a "Louisiana Super Lawyer" since the inception of the rating, 2007 - 2023. He has also been named a "Best Lawyer". Eckstein Law Firm was also selected by Super Lawyers as the top law firm/sole proprietorship in Louisiana for Business and Transactions as well as being named a "Best Law Firm". Mr. Eckstein is a Board Certified Tax Attorney and a Board Certified Estate Planning and Administration Specialist. Mr. Eckstein is also a certified agent of the NFLPA, NBPA, NCAA 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....

Roy Bowes began his legal career serving as a judicial law clerk for one and a half years. For over 43 years, he operated a private civil practice, Roy M. Bowes & Associates, in the New Orleans area with concentrations in family law, personal injury, estate planning, successions, and collections. In 2022 he co-founded Bowes, Petkovich & Palmer, LLC by merging his practice into the firm. He is trained in the collaborative divorce model and is a charter member of the Collaborative Professionals Groups of Southeast Louisiana. He is a qualified registered divorce/custody/child support mediator. ...

My name is Anton Martynenko, and I am a proud member of the Scott Vicknair team. My journey to becoming a lawyer started from humble beginnings in the former USSR during some of the most fascinating but challenging times. Today, I am oddly thankful for facing poverty and hardship from an early age because those struggles instilled in me a strong work ethic, a drive to succeed, and compassion for folks from all walks of life. At the age of 15, I had a rare opportunity to come to the United States as an exchange student. Three years later, I...

It is important to act fast after an accident. Injury cases require immediate action to gather the required information to protect your rights. Whether it is assistance getting medical treatment or gathering experts necessary to prove your claim, our staff will get to work immediately to gather the information needed to prove your case. Use our 25+ years of experience to help you get the recovery you deserve.

My practice is primarily focused on estate and probate litigation as well as wrongful death litigation. My team and I represent families and clients throughout the country and internationally with legal matters in Louisiana. We handle a wide range of estate matters; from the simple transfer of assets from parents to kids to multimillion-dollar estate battles over rights of inheritance, we have handled it and everything in between. I was born and raised in Lafourche Parish, La., in a small community where I was related to almost everyone. My great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all lived there as well. We...

I am a lifelong resident of New Orleans. I attended Benjamin Franklin Senior High School, graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, and returned home to attend Loyola Law School. As a third-year law student, I worked as a student-practitioner in what is now known as the Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic and Center for Social Justice. My experience as a student-practitioner allowed me to give back to my community while developing legal skills with on-the-ground experience. After graduating from Loyola Law School, I worked briefly for a solo practitioner who had a general civil practice. I represented a...

The year before I began law school, I scored in the top 1% worldwide on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). This score earned me the Faculty Merit Scholarship to the Paul M. Hebert School of Law at Louisiana State University. In 2004 I was fortunate to be able to study International Comparative Law at Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3 in Lyon, France.

Since law school, my career has reflected my approach to life. I believe a person must be well rounded in order to be successful. Having a diversity of interests and experiences allows me to adapt more easily to...

I was raised in Lafayette, Louisiana and am a proud graduate of Lafayette High School. After earning my undergraduate degree from Tulane University in 2013, I spent two years serving in the Phoenix Corps of Teach for America. I returned to my hometown in 2015 and spent a year working as a legal assistant to Attorneys Marc W. Judice and Daniel C. Palmintier at Judice & Adley law firm. These early lessons on best practices in a legal career were formative for me, and I carry them with me to this day. After enrolling at LSU Law in 2016, I was...

I really enjoy working with clients and handling the delicate legal issues that are incredibly important to the families I represent. My background and experience in real estate, successions, wills, and estate planning, partitions, and property litigation are learning experiences that I believe help bring value and results to our clients. Before joining Scott Vicknair, I owned and operated a successful real estate closing company and law firm for many years. In that role as a business owner and operator, I further developed my skills in successions and real estate. Working in the title industry provided me with a lot of...

With extensive experience in real estate and business management, Christie Tournet & Associates is the consummate business, estate planning, and successions/probate firm. Christie views legal issues through a unique lens and becomes a trusted legal and business adviser.

I am a CPA and attorney. I have been a CPA since 1994 and an Louisiana attorney since 2000. The Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization has designated me as a Board Certified Estate Planning and Administration Specialist (since 2008), as well as a Board Certified Tax Law Specialist (also since 2008). My practice focuses strongly on the needs and issues particular to farmers, middle income clients and small business owners. These include issues such as estate tax reduction, medicaid long-term care planning, special needs planning, asset protection planning, and small business protection planning. Plans I regularly recommend and personally draft for...

Peggy Gonsoulin Vallejo graduated from Tulane Law School in May 1999 and was admitted to the Louisiana State Bar in October 1999.

Her practice consists of civil litigation with a strong focus on personal injury, divorce, child support, spousal support, and succession matters. She has clients in all of the surrounding parishes in the Greater New Orleans Metro Area including St. Tammany, Orleans, Jefferson, Washington, Tangipahoa, Livingston and East Baton Rouge.

Scott Ruel is an attorney located in Madisonville, Louisiana. He is admitted to the Louisiana state bar and graduated from Columbus School of Law in Washington, D.C. He is the owner of The Ruel Law Firm in Madisonville, LA. Mr. Ruel specializes in personal injury law, successions, criminal law, DUI, possession and traffic tickets. Our firm takes cases in all parishes. Free consultations on traffic tickets. We also accept credit cards by phone and email link. If you need legal assistance and want to speak with Mr. Ruel now, call our office at 985-845-7031or visit us at www.ruellaw.net....

As an associate attorney of Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas LTD LLP, Ryan Cook maintains an active securities arbitration and litigation practice. Mr. Cook has worked on numerous cases dealing with individual investors, high net worth and institutional investors, corporate executives, regional banks and municipal issuers.

Prior to beginning his law practice, Mr. Cook worked in the securities industry as a licensed and registered representative with a large broker/dealer. He received his Juris Doctor (JD) degree from South Texas College of Law, where he earned his degree Summa Cum Laude (with highest honor) as the graduating salutatorian. Mr. Cook...

James is the managing member and managing attorney of Zitzmann Law, LLC and founded the firm in 2014.

He attended Louisiana State University for his undergraduate degree. While at Louisiana State, James was involved in Louisiana State University Student Government and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

He attended the Loyola University New Orleans College of Law where he was a member of the Loyola Law and Technology Annual. While attending, he received the Loyola Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship and the Academic Excellence...

Ms. Rosado is a licensed attorney and notary in the State of Louisiana. Ms. Rosado received her J.D., dual degree in civil and common law with a concentration in International Law, in 2009 from Loyola University School of Law where she was a member of the Loyola Trial Advocacy competition teams: – Michigan State in the Spring of 2008 – AAJ in the Fall of 2009 Ms. Rosado served as an officer on the Trial Advocacy Board from 2008-2009. While at Loyola, Ms. Rosado was involved in: – Loyola’s Law Clinic – Public Interest Law Journal –...

Michael S. Donovan, and the Donovan Law Firm, LLC, provides effective and efficient advocacy for our clients that are looking to protect their family’s future.

Bogalusa, LA – Patrick G. Murray, managing partner of Murray Law Office.

Born in Bogalusa, LA to Lewis and Debbie Murray. Graduated Valedictorian from Bowling Green High School in 2007 and went on to study International Business at The University of Southern Mississippi. After obtaining his Degree in International Business, he continued his education at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. Working with the District Attorney's Office during the day while studying law at night, Patrick developed a passion for serving the community and a strong desire to start a practice in Bogalusa. Completing...

John Menszer has been practicing civil law in New Orleans since 1993. He has helped hundreds achieve greater financial security through filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. He also handles real estate issues and probate and estate problems. In 1995, he was the recipient of the Special Humanitarian Award of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities for his word preserving the stories of Holocaust survivors.

John E. Sirois, JD, MBA, CFP®, CIMA, CIMC, is based out of Houma, Louisiana practicing in the areas of estate planning, successions and probate, wills, trusts, special needs planning, Medicaid and long term care planning and Veterans Pension Benfits (aid and attendance). He works with clients throughout Southeast Louisiana. Many of John’s clients are retirees, and pre-retirees, and seniors who wish to ensure their financial future as well as the financial security of their spouse, children and grandchildren. John’s comprehensive book Louisiana Retirement and Estate Planning: The essential financial planning book for retirees and pre-retirees offers answers to the complex...

Paul focuses on helping clients to probate estates, resolve construction disputes, and protect property and investments involved in the tax sale process. When Paul isn't busy helping his clients he enjoys photography, kayaking, engineering projects, and learning about Louisiana history.

Edward J. McCloskey has proudly served the Greater New Orleans area for over 45 years. He is an av-rated expert in Business and Successions Law, making him the one to trust while making important decisions for the future.

Phillip Lynch, Jr. BIO 2019
Phillip M. Lynch, Jr., has practiced law for over thirty years in the New Orleans area and
focuses on successions, real estate matters, and family law issues. In 1996, he was
elected as Justice of the Peace and served two 6-year terms in Ward Four of St.
Tammany Parish. He was also Captain of Professional Standards and a Staff Attorney
for the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. A former president of the Greater Covington
Bar Association, he served the LSBA’s House of Delegates, and its MCLE Committee.
A former reserve deputy in Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, and St. Tammany Parishes,
he is a...

PROFESSIONAL • Admitted to practice law, 1978, State of Louisiana, All Courts • Admitted to practice, 1979, U.S. District Courts, Louisiana Eastern & Middle Districts, U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals • Member, Louisiana State, Slidell, & 22nd Judicial District Court Bar Associations • 45 years experience in Civil, Family, and Juvenile Court • Williams and Brandt, an Association for the Practice of Law, established 1980 • Appointed Judge Pro Tem for Slidell City Court by Louisiana Supreme Court, numerous times EDUCATION • Juris Doctorate, Tulane University...

With more than 30 years of litigation experience in both civil and criminal law, Mr. Schoonenberg focuses his practice on serious felony cases and the defense of physicians in medical malpractice. He also has a masters of law (L.L.M.) in International Taxation and Offshore Financial Centers and often advises individuals and companies in cross border transactions, asset protection and estate planning.

Mr. Schoonenberg has handled many cases in state and federal districts and appellate courts and obtained numerous successful verdicts in complex medical malpractice cases. He has lectured frequently on ethics, expropriation and professionalism.