Elite Lawyer Leaders

Insights into Four Accomplished Careers Elite Lawyer Leaders

IN THE ACTIVE WORLD OF LAW, four local attorneys stand out for their dedication, expertise, and community involvement. Jared Miguez, Michelle Craig, Conrad Meyer, and John Stephens each bring unique talents and passions to their legal practices, shaping the fields of real estate, employment, healthcare, and estate law. Their journeys, marked by a commitment to excellence and service, reflect their professional achievements and their ties to the communities they serve.

Jared Miguez, Crafting Real Estate Law & Community Bonds

Jared Miguez’s passion for real estate law has been a driving force since 2016. Inspired by a lifelong ambition to be an attorney and some early encouragement, “My grandmother used to joke that my negotiation skills would serve me well in a legal career,” Jared, after getting his Bachelor’s from LSU, began Loyola New Orleans College of Law, where he obtained his Juris Doctorate in 2015. He has found his niche in real estate title work, where he applies his legal expertise daily.

For Jared, the most fulfilling aspect of his career is not just the legal transactions but the personal milestones he helps his clients and real estate professionals achieve. He notes, “I have built many great relationships and partnerships with real estate professionals through working together to problem-solve and reach our goal together.” He appreciates the real estate industry’s systematic nature and problem-solving aspects and relishes each challenge he encounters.

Jared understands the importance of giving back and is committed to community service. Together with the Arena Collective team, he supports multiple charities in St. Tammany Parish and the Greater New Orleans area.

The support that the Arena Collective team gives each other is a key element in balancing work and home life. Jared adds, “I also feel grateful for the team we have in place at Arena. They do their job so well that it really opens my time to grow my firm and do what I do best.”

If Jared weren’t practicing law, he would be on the baseball diamond coaching high school baseball, sharing his passion for teamwork and mentorship.

Jared Miguez, Arena Collective, (985) 607-7630, www. arenacollective.com

Michelle Craig, A Lawyer with Purpose and Passion

Michelle Craig’s early involvement in student government, debate club, and other law-related activities fueled her passion for law. Recalling her early spark for law, she says, “I was always that kid. I did student government, Girl’s Town, and debate club. I loved all things related to law/politics.” With a law career as her goal, she focused her undergraduate studies on Humanities and Social Thought at the Louisiana Scholars College at Northwestern State University and earned her Bachelor of Arts in 1999.

Michelle began pursuing her law degree at LSU’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center, where in 2002, she received dual degrees, including a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) and a Bachelor of Civil Law (B.C.L.). Her law studies would also take her abroad, where she studied International and Comparative Law at the Université d’Aix Marseille III in Aix en Provence, France.

With 23 years of experience, Michelle specializes in labor and employment law, education law, and serving as outside general counsel for small to medium-sized companies. She enjoys solving complex legal issues and guiding clients to successful outcomes. Michelle is also deeply committed to community service, supporting the Innocence Project and focusing on the economic development of New Orleans through initiatives like DiversiTea.

Michelle was named Most Powerful and Influential Woman in Louisiana by the Diversity Council in 2012. She continues to serve as a board member of the Lawyer’s Committee on Civil Rights and remains dedicated to contributing positively to society.

If not practicing law, Michelle would consider a career in politics or as a novelist, inspired by John Grisham. Her commitment to building a sustainable environment for all reflects her belief in lawyers’ crucial role in shaping the future.

Michelle Craig, Transcendent Law Group, (504) 4594557, www.tlg.com

John Stephens, Lawyer & Modern Renaissance Man

John Stephens’s attraction to law was natural, given his love for reading, writing, and creative problem-solving. These key interests led him to Loyola University New Orleans, College of Law, where he received his J.D. in 2013.

Practicing ever since, he has honed his skills in real estate and title law, with a focus on commercial real estate and creative financing. His expertise in this area is further underscored by his board certification in estate planning and administration, a field he finds particularly rewarding due to the comfort and clarity he can provide his clients.

Since 2016, John has dedicated himself to estate planning and administration and, since 2019, to real estate and title law. He thrives on the challenges these fields present and enjoys finding solutions and guiding clients through complex legal landscapes. His approach to law is rooted in stewardship, as he tackles clients’ issues with diligence and care, always striving to provide the best possible outcomes.

John’s passion for law extends beyond his professional practice. He is committed to community education and enjoys sharing his knowledge of property and estate laws by speaking at events. His aim is to make these intricate subjects accessible and engaging for the public, noting, “When a layperson gets excited about actually understanding these often-complex legal dynamics, I feel as though I’ve helped in an educational sense.”

John embraces Mark Twain’s wisdom, drawing from Twain’s revealing quote, “Most men die at 27; we just bury them at 72.” Having a deep insight into Twain’s quote, John focuses on what he can control and finds solace in knowing that life’s pressures are fleeting and having a balance in place can be a saving grace. That balance can be found, according to John, “In identifying the right mental tools (meditation, exercise, playing music, painting, reading for leisure, and allowing myself the time and energy to do the things outside of work that fulfill me), I cultivate an awareness of that impermanence, which allows me to recalibrate how I experience life, especially in stressful work situations.”

As an active member and past president of the Covington Rotary Club, John’s multifaceted life underscores his commitment to his profession and personal passions. As a genuine Renaissance man, he certainly has passions.

John Stevens, Arena Collective, (985) 607-7630, www. arenacollective.com

Conrad Meyer, Navigating Healthcare Law with Heart

Growing up in New Orleans, Conrad Meyer witnessed firsthand healthcare’s critical societal role. This personal knowledge inspired him to specialize in healthcare law at Loyola School of Law, where he was given the foundation he needed to thrive in the often-demanding field.

For fifteen years, Conrad’s passion for healthcare law has driven his professional focus in advising healthcare providers on regulatory compliance and professional liability/licensure issues. As one of the few board-certified health law specialists in Louisiana and a recipient of the Louisiana Bar Specialization Committee’s highest AV rating, Conrad has dedicated his career to enhancing the quality of care and improving patient outcomes.

For Conrad, joy in his career lies in solving complex problems and building trusted client relationships. “Every case presents unique challenges,” he explains, “and I find great satisfaction in developing effective strategies to address those challenges and achieve positive outcomes.” This enthusiasm in his work is what sets Conrad apart.

Conrad’s commitment to the New Orleans community is not just a side project but a deep-rooted part of his identity. As a longtime member of the Allstate Sugar Bowl Committee, he has actively promoted tourism in Louisiana, showing his personal investment in the growth and prosperity of his hometown.

A partner at the law firm of Chehardy, Sherman, and Williams, Conrad, shares that if he were not an attorney, he “… would likely choose a profession in healthcare administration or public policy. These fields align with my passion for healthcare and my desire to contribute to the improvement of healthcare systems and policies that benefit communities.”

Conrad Meyer’s commitment to improving healthcare for his community is commendable. His expertise and commitment to healthcare law make him a vital asset to his clients and a respected leader in his field.

Conrad Meyer, Chehardy, Sherman, Williams, (504) 833-5600, www.chehardy.com