October 2022

1970s

Randy Opotowsky (’77), a partner at Steeg Law Firm in New Orleans was included in “Best Lawyers in America” 2023 for Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Finance Law, Commercial Transactions/UCC Law, Real Estate Law, Litigation – Real Estate, an honor he has received every year since 2012.

1980s

Richard J. Arsenault (’80) of Neblett, Beard & Arsenault will chair the LSBA’s 29^th annual Admiralty Symposium and the LSBA’s 22^nd annual Complex Litigation Symposium. He recently chaired a symposium in St. Louis: The Current Mass Tort Landscape - Best Management Practices & Updates on Key Litigation, and his firm will be included in the 2023 edition of U.S. News - Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms".

1990s

Beverly Whitley (’90), a Bell Nunnally partner, is included in the “Texas Monthly” 2022 Texas Super Lawyers and Women’s Edition lists in the Business Litigation practice area.

Lynn Ann Plaisance (’90) is now serving as director of family services for the New Orleans area Habitat for Humanity.

Kelsey Funes (’97), a Phelps partner, was recognized by the National Law Journal as a 2022 Real Estate/Construction Law Trailblazer for her long history working on some of the Gulf Coast’s largest projects. In her construction practice, Funes represents owners and contractors in all phases of complex industrial and commercial construction projects, and is a well-respected mediator and one of the few female members of the American Arbitration Association’s Louisiana Construction Panel. Funes is a frequent speaker at a variety of construction-related seminars and briefings and recently served as co-chair of the American Bar Association’s 2022 Forum on Construction Law Annual Meeting in New York City.

2010s

Matthew Bond Pettaway (’10) has joined Taylor Porter's Lake Charles office as Special Counsel in the practice areas of civil litigation, bankruptcy law, insurance coverage disputes, breach of contract disputes, debt collection, creditors’ rights, employment law, and business and commercial law.

JoAnn Hymel (’15) of Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand & Brackett was selected for Louisiana Super Lawyers Rising Stars 2022 in the Workers’ Compensation practice area. Hymel’s practice areas include the defense of employers and insurance carriers for claims arising under the Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Act, Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, Defense Base Act, and War Hazards Compensation Act.

Bryan M. Dupree (’18) has joined Gordon Arata’s Lafayette office as an associate resident in the practice areas of oil, gas and energy litigation and transactions and healthcare transactions.