Law

INSURANCE

JOSE S. SUQUET

President and CEO

Pan-American Life Insurance Group

In his more than 17 years leading this international insurance and financial services provider, Suquet and his team say they have more than doubled the size of the company through strategic mergers and acquisitions with a renewed focus on life, health and personal accident insurance. Founded in 1911, Pan-American is headquartered in the Poydras Street tower that bears its name.

Education: University of Miami (MBA), Fordham University (BS) On the Horizon: “The company is enjoying great growth in 2022 after two difficult COVID years.” Nonprofit Cause: New Orleans Hispanic Heritage Foundation Advice: “God gave us two ears and one mouth so we can listen more!”

INSURANCE

KRISTIN SWANSON SCOTT

VP of Operations

Swanson Insurance Agency

After graduating from LSU, Scott returned home to join and eventually run her family’s Gentilly-based insurance agency. The company was founded in 1985 and she took the reins in 2016. She’s “committed to bringing the business her grandfather started into the modern age” and to supporting the “ever-changing landscape of the greater New Orleans area.”

Education: Louisiana State University (BS) Advice: “Get comfortable being uncomfortable.” Hidden Gem: Meals from the Heart Cafe Nonprofit Cause: Neighborhood Housing Services of New Orleans Hero: Michelle Obama Go-to Restaurant: New Orleans Food and Spirits Hidden Gem: Meals from the Heart

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ROBERT “BOB” ANGELICO

Shareholder Liskow & Lewis

This nationally known business lawyer has years of experience helping top-tier companies navigate sophisticated tax issues. He heads the firm’s tax practice group, where he works to minimize the tax obligations of his clients, which include manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, nonprofits and construction businesses. He’s a DePaul Community Health Centers board member.

Education: Loyola University New Orleans (JD), Louisiana State University (BS) Advice: “Don’t be afraid to give a client your opinion; that’s what they are paying for!” Hidden Talent: “I used to be a bartender, so I can mix almost any cocktail.” Go-to Restaurant: Mandina’s Hobby/Passion: “Being a Saints fan!”

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MORRIS BART

Owner

Morris Bart

Morris Bart is an award-winning New Orleans personal injury attorney with more than 40 years of experience. He’s developed a national reputation as a leader in pharmaceutical, medical devices, and other mass torts litigations, achieving multimillion dollar recoveries for his clients. He’s also a pioneer in marketing, as evidenced by his iconic billboards and commercials.

Education: Loyola University New Orleans (JD), University of New Orleans (BA) Hidden Gem: Haiku for great sushi Nonprofit Cause: Second Harvest Food Bank Advice: “My father told me, ‘Early to bed. Early to rise. Work like hell and advertise!’” Best Part of Job: “I love that I get to help people from all walks of life.”

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MARK BEEBE

Partner

Adams and Reese

Beebe is an accomplished antitrust and commercial litigation lawyer who represents clients in courts nationwide and in multidistrict litigation and class action litigation. He’s president of the International Association of Defense Counsel, a global organization for advocates representing corporate and insurance interests. He’s active in New Orleans civic affairs.

Education: Tulane University (JD, BA) Go-to Restaurant: Crabby Jack’s and Galatoire’s Hidden Gem: Maïs Arepas, a Colombian restaurant on Carondelet Best Fest: Jazz Fest Hobby/Passion: “My hobby is ‘Army’ golf (left, right, left … of the hole). My passion is my family.” Nonprofit Cause: Catholic Charities and NOCCA

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MAGDALEN BLESSEY BICKFORD

Managing Member McGlinchey Stafford

With more than 25 years of legal experience, Bickford took over McGlinchey’s New Orleans office, the firm’s first and largest, in 2021. She reorganized the office’s structure and processes, focusing on growth strategy and strengthening the firm’s inclusive culture. She aims to “empower employees to succeed and surpass clients’ expectations by delivering exceptional service.”

Education: Loyola University (JD, BA) Louisiana State University Nonprofit Cause: Easter Seals Louisiana Advice: “To copy the message of the Dr. Bob painting in my office: ‘Be Nice or Leave.’” Hidden Gem: Ristorante Filippo Hobby/Passion: “Serving as a leader of my wine club, Kru du Vin.” BIZNEWORLEANS.COM

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KIM MARIA BOYLE

Partner

Phelps Dunbar

The daughter of a school teacher and postal worker, Boyle rose to become a Princeton University and University of Virginia School of Law alumni and a partner at Phelps Dunbar. An accomplished attorney, Boyle is also the first African-American president of the New Orleans Bar Association and the first African-American woman to be president of the Louisiana Bar Association.

Education: University of Virginia (JD), Princeton University (AB) Best Fest: “Jazz Fest every single year. There is nothing better!” Advice: “Do the right thing, because it’s the right thing to do.” Hobby/Passion: “I love attending live music concerts and eating out with close friends.”

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RICHARD CORTIZAS

Partner

Jones Walker

Cortizas worked with Jones Walker for six years before serving as city attorney for the City of New Orleans. He returned to the firm in 2013 and leads the diversity committee in addition to representing clients on transactional matters. Cortizas is a board member for the Greater New Orleans Foundation and is chair-elect of the Greater New Orleans Inc. board of directors.

Education: Loyola University New Orleans (JD, BBA) Go-to Restaurant: “Dooky Chase’s, Clancy’s and El Pavo Real are great go to places.” Hidden Gem: “The Delachaise is a fun spot on nice nights.” Best Fest: Jazz Fest Nonprofit Cause: Son of a Saint

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MICHELLE CRAIG

Owner

Transcendent Law Group

Before starting Transcendent in 2014, Craig was the first African-American female partner at Jones Walker’s New Orleans office. She left because she “saw a need for legal counsel among socially responsible organizations that couldn’t necessarily afford big firm fees.” Now, her team assists everyone from startups to public-private partnerships and established companies.

Education: Louisiana State University (JD, BCL), Northwestern State University (BA) Nonprofit Cause: The Innocence Project Hobby/Passion: “Brunch with my girlfriends is my absolute favorite hobby.” Hidden Gem: “I love a Parkway poboy but Crabby Jack’s is a great little hidden gem with a duck poboy that I crave!”

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MONIQUE DOUCETTE

Shareholder

Ogletree Deakins

In 2009, Doucette co-founded the local office of a labor and employment law firm with more than 1,000 attorneys and 55 offices nationwide. She’s chair of a practice group specializing in investigations of systemic inequity in the workplace, executive misconduct and unconscious bias. “I really enjoy helping my clients proactively shape their workplace culture,” she said.

Education: Tulane University (JD), Loyola University New Orleans (BA) Advice: “Practice gratitude and recognize that happiness is a choice.” Hobby: “I collect used coffee table books, and also album covers designed by Andy Warhol. In Berlin, I found a Rolling Stones album photographed by Warhol, but all the text is in Russian.”

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GUS A. FRITCHIE III

Partner

Irwin Fritchie Urquhart & Moore

With more than 40 years of legal experience (including more than 100 bench and jury trials), Fritchie concentrates on civil litigation defense, primarily professional liability and insurance defense. He’s been named “Lawyer of the Year” three times by Best Lawyers in America. Irwin Fritchie Urquhart & Moore was founded in 2000 by six partners from one of the city’s oldest law firms.

Education: Tulane University (JD), Washington & Lee University (BA) Go-to Restaurant: Galatoire’s Hidden Gem: Tito’s Ceviche & Pisco Advice: “To succeed in your job, make yourself indispensable.” Best Fest: Lacombe Crab Fest Nonprofit Cause: Clover (former Kingsley House)

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RAFAEL GOYENECHE

President

Metropolitan Crime Commission

The MCC was established in the 1950s, providing assistance on a continuing basis to the New Orleans-area community and developing a reputation as a resource to both private citizens and policy makers on issues of crime and corruption. Goyeneche has been at the helm for decades, and has been influential in the passage and adoption of a variety of legislative initiatives.

History of Service: Goyeneche became president of the organization in 1986. Awards and Honors: In 2009, the FBI selected Goyeneche to receive the Director’s Community Leadership award. Did You Know? City officials tried to disband the commission in 1950 when presented with its findings of corruption in the NOPD.

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CASHAUNA HILL

Executive Director

Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center

Hill has been at the helm of the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center (formerly the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center) since 2015, leading a team working to fulfill the organization’s mission to end discriminatory housing policies and practices through litigation and policy advocacy. She leads fair housing training and foreclosure prevention counseling.

Education: Tulane University (JD), Spelman College (BA) On the Rise: Hill has been interviewed by CNN, NPR and several other national and local media outlets. Awards: Inaugural recipient of the Tulane Law School Public Interest Law Foundation’s Practitioner Service Award

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BILL HINES

Managing Partner

Jones Walker

Bill Hines has been a legal, business and civic leader in the region for more than 35 years. Since 2006, he’s led Jones Walker, expanding the firm’s client base to include leading regional, national and international corporations; banks and financial institutions; emerging enterprises; family-owned businesses; professional sports teams; and state and local governments.

Education: University of Virginia (JD), Princeton University (AB) Highlight of Leadership: “Creating a collective vision, implementing it and hopefully seeing it succeed.” Nonprofit Cause: Son of a Saint Go-to Restaurant: “Too many good friends owning and running too many good restaurants to name!”

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JOHN HOUGHTALING II

Managing Partner/Majority Owner

Gauthier, Murphy & Houghtaling

In 1996, Houghtaling was moving file boxes at Gauthier & Murphy. Within eight years, he had risen to managing partner and majority owner of the firm. His career has included work on insurance litigation, property insurance and personal injury. The firm is currently processing more than $3 billion in property loss and damage claims in the U.S. and Europe.

Notable Achievement: Houghtaling served as special counsel to the attorney general of Louisiana in the multibillion-dollar litigation of policyholder rights in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Did You Know? In 2010, Houghtaling founded an oil service company called Ocean Therapy Solutions with actor Kevin Costner.

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PATRICK JOHNSON JR

Managing Partner

Akerman

A veteran counselor to clients in commercial litigation, bankruptcy, workouts, loan restructuring and collections, Johnson often represents financial institutions in complicated commercial loan restructurings, primarily in Chapter 11 cases. Among his larger cases was representing a banking group with approximately $400 million in claims in the Chapter 11 case of an oil and gas company.

Education: University of Stockholm (EdD), Tulane University Law School (JD), University of New Orleans (BS) Notable Achievement: Johnson was the Best Lawyers in America 2017 “Lawyer of the Year” in litigation-bankruptcy in New Orleans. Volunteer Work: Chairman of Jesuit High School parents’ annual giving drive and advisory council

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CHRIS KANE

Partner

Adams and Reese

Recognized for his work on many economic development projects, Kane has been with Adams and Reese since he graduated law school in 2004. A jack-of-all-trades attorney, he maintains a multifaceted practice, counseling clients on economic development projects, transportation law, construction law, regulatory and government relations, disaster recovery and highly specific litigation matters.

Education: Loyola University New Orleans (JD), Christian Brothers University (MBA, BS) Nonprofit Cause: Louisiana SPCA Go-to Restaurant: Galatoire’s Advice: “It might sound simple, but I think the most critical skill as a lawyer and lobbyist is the ability to listen.” Hidden Gem: Copper Vine

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KENT LAMBERT

Office Managing Shareholder

Baker Donelson

Over the past three decades, Lambert has been at the helm of several large-scale litigation matters, defending his clients against everything from intentional and non-intentional business torts to civil RICO actions. He runs the firm’s New Orleans and Mandeville offices, and has been listed in Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers and America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.

Education: Tulane University (JD), Denison University (BA) Best Fest: Jazz Fest Hidden Gem: Second Line Brewing Advice: “First and foremost, be yourself, find and keep your voice and do the right thing for the right reasons.” Go-to Restaurant: Commander’s Palace BIZNEWORLEANS.COM

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WALTER LEGER JR

Partner

Leger & Shaw

Walter Leger Jr. is a larger-than-life legal legend who has been at the helm of many high-profile cases, including the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, national class action cases related to opioids and the historic tobacco litigation of the late 1990s. Leger founded his firm with partner Franklin Shaw in 1979 and continues to manage dayto-day operations.

Education: Tulane University (JD), Louisiana State University (BA) Nonprofit Cause: Louisiana Cancer Research Center Advice: “To whom much is given, much will be required (Luke 12:48).” Go-to Restaurant: Rocky & Carlo’s First Job: Welder at shipyard on Industrial Canal Best Fest: Bayou Boogaloo

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JEFF LeSAICHERRE

Founder and CEO

Fleur de Lis Law & Title

This Ponchatoula native opened Fleur De Lis in 2011. Since then, the company has expanded to 12 offices and more than 100 employees in Louisiana and Mississippi. LeSaicherre has served as the city prosecutor for Ponchatoula and a juvenile public defender in Tangipahoa Parish. He’s an active volunteer. “I love to help people grow and chase their dreams,” he said.

Education: Loyola University (JD), Southeastern Louisiana University (BA) Go-to Restaurant: Pêche Best Fest: Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival Hidden Gem: Ancora Pizzeria On the Horizon: “We are building a 12,000-squarefoot office in Hammond and will begin operating in Bay St. Louis and Orange Beach before 2023.”

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JULIE LIVAUDAIS

Managing Partner

Chaffe McCall

Representing corporate clients ranging from local businesses to multinational corporations, as well as educational institutions and nonprofit organizations, Livaudais brings more than three decades of experience advising employers in various aspects of employment law and litigation. She’s received multiple honors and awards for her efforts, both professional and as a civic leader.

Education: Tulane University (JD), Stanford University (BA) Highlight of Leadership: “Making a positive difference in the lives of others” Hidden Gem: Liuzza’s Advice: “Keep your sense of humor.” Hobby/Passion: Travel and animal rescue Go-to Restaurant: Commander’s Palace

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FREDRICK PREIS

Partner

Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson

This veteran attorney oversees the firm’s labor and employment law section. Preis has served as lead labor counsel for Fortune 500 companies, as well as trade associations and employers in numerous mid-sized and small industries and businesses throughout the country, developing a reputation as a known innovator in the development of employee relations programs.

Education: Louisiana State University (JD, BA) History of Service: Preis served as an officer in the United States Army before going to law school. Chambers and Associations: Preis is chairman emeritus of the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, former chairman of the Jefferson Parish Chamber of Commerce and past chairman of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.

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CHERIE TEAMER-HENLEY

Attorney

Teamer Legal Corporation

A native of New Orleans, Teamer-Henley has worked for both Mayor Mitch Landrieu and Senator Mary Landrieu. In her current role, she primarily works on policy and legal issues surrounding driver’s license and child support obligations impacting reentry participants. “I love working with my clients to help them resolve their issues no matter what they might be,” she said.

Education: Tulane University Law School (JD), Louisiana State University (BA) Best Fest: Jazz Fest Hobby/Passion: “I have been practicing hot yoga since law school and really enjoy it.” Nonprofit Cause: Antenna, a nonprofit cultural institution offering exhibitions, publishing, residencies and regranting

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KELLY THEARD

Managing Partner

Deutsch Kerrigan

Representing general contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, program managers and material suppliers in a variety of construction-related litigation, Theard is a bona fide “construction lawyer.” She holds the AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, has been recognized by Chambers USA and is included in Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers listings.

Education: Louisiana State University (JD, BCL), University of New Orleans (BA) Go-to Restaurant: Arnaud’s Restaurant Nonprofit Cause: Habitat for Humanity and Hogs for the Cause Hidden Gem: Reborne Bakery Hobby/Passion: “Supporting local artists and listening to live music”