November 2023
1970s
Stephen G. Bullock (’75), Senior Counsel at Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann’s New Orleans office, has been recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the Advertising Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, and Litigation–Intellectual Property practice areas.
Ed J. Walters, Jr. (’75), a partner with Walters, Papillion, Thomas, Cullens in Baton Rouge and 2025 president of the Louisiana Bar Association, addressed members of the bar on Friday, Oct. 20 in Lake Charles. Click here to listen to his presentation.
Randy Opotowsky (’77), a partner at Steeg Law Firm in New Orleans, was included in The Best Lawyers in America 2024 for Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Transactions/UCC Law, and Real Estate Law, Litigation–Real Estate, an honor he has received every year since 2012. Opotowsky was also named a New Orleans “Lawyer of the Year” for Litigation–Real Estate.
Charles A. Schutte, Jr. (’77) has joined Taylor Porter as a partner practicing business organizations, business litigation, banks and banking, commercial real estate, medical malpractice, professional liability, insurance defense, construction law, and premises liability.
Kathleen Stewart Richey (’78), a Former East Baton Rouge Juvenile Court Judge, was appointed as Louisiana's first children's ombudsman, a new position meant to serve as a watchdog for children who depend on government services ranging from foster care to juvenile prisons.
1980s
Richard J. Arsenault (’80) was appointed to the LSBA CLE Committee, chaired the 30th Annual Louisiana State Bar Association Admiralty Symposium in New Orleans, and moderated a presentation regarding Navigating the Unique Ethical Challenges Associated with Artificial Intelligence. He was also recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for his work in Admiralty, Maritime Law, Mass Tort Litigation and Class Actions.
Noel J. Darce (’83), a Member at Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann’s New Orleans office, has been recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the Energy Regulatory Law and Utilities Law practice areas. Darce was also named as a 2024 New Orleans "Lawyer of the Year" for Administrative/Regulatory Law.
Lawrence Orlansky (’83) a Member at Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann’s New Orleans office, has been recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the Commercial Litigation, Gaming Law, Legal Malpractice Law–Defendants, and Litigation–Securities practice areas.
Allison Jones (’85), a defense attorney at Downer, Jones, Marino & Wilhite in Shreveport was recognized by the Shreveport Bar Association with the Professionalism Award.
Paul J. Masinter (’87), a Member and Litigation Section Head at Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann’s New Orleans office, has been recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Mergers and Acquisitions, and Litigation–Securities practice areas.
John L. Schouest (’88), a partner at SBSB Eastham (formerly Schouest, Bamdas, Soshea, BenMaier & Eastham PLLC), has been recognized as a Best Lawyer by The Best Lawyers in America. As a subsequent result, SBSB Eastham was named to the 2024 edition of Best Law Firms by The Best Lawyers in America.
1990s
Beverly A. Whitley (’90), a partner at Bell Nunnally in Dallas, was selected for inclusion in 2023 Texas Super Lawyers and “Women’s Edition” list in the Business Litigation practice area.
Douglas J. Cochran (’91), a Member at Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann’s Baton Rouge office, has been recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, and Litigation–Insurance practice areas. Cochran was also named as a 2024 Baton Rouge "Lawyer of the Year" for Personal Injury Litigation–Defendants.
Jeff Koonce (’94), a partner of Bernhard Capital Partners, will discuss business growth and investment in the November episode of "Strictly Business," a webcast of the Baton Rouge Business Report.
Michael Q. Walshe, Jr. (’95), a Member and Management Committee Chair at Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann’s New Orleans office, has been recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the Advertising Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation, and Litigation–Trusts and Estates practice areas.
Imelda T. Frugé (’97) has joined Taylor Porter as a partner practicing insurance defense and professional liability defense with a focus on medical malpractice.
Mike Johnson (’98) was elected Speaker of the United States House of Representatives on Oct. 25. He is the 56th Speaker of the House and the first from Louisiana since 1859.
2000s
Stephen Dale Cronin (’01) has joined Taylor Porter as a partner practicing insurance defense, appellate advocacy, workers’ compensation, and personal injury defense.
James E.A. Slaton (’01) a Member at Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann’s Baton Rouge office, has been recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the Banking and Finance Law and Real Estate Law practice areas.
Adrien G. Busekist (’03) has joined Kean Miller’s downtown Baton Rouge office as senior counsel with the casualty and mass tort litigation group.
Nicholas J. Wehlen (’04) a Member at Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann’s New Orleans office, has been recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the Commercial Litigation, Litigation–Construction, and Litigation–Securities practice areas.
Michael Cancienne (‘06), a member of Jordan, Lynch & Cancienne, has been recognized as a Best Lawyer by The Best Lawyers in America. As a subsequent result, Jordan, Lynch & Cancienne was named to the 2024 edition of Best Law Firms by The Best Lawyers in America.
Lindsay F. Louapre (’07) a member at Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand, & Brackett in New Orleans has been selected for Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch 2024 for Workers’ Compensation Law–Employers.
2010s
Wilton E. Bland, IV (’10), a member at Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand, & Brackett in New Orleans has been selected for Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch 2024 for Workers’ Compensation Law–Employers.
Edward McAuliffe, III (’11) an associate at Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand, & Brackett in New Orleans has been selected for Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch 2024 for Transportation Law.
Kimberly Sheppard (’14), of Parker PLLC in Fort Worth, Texas, has been promoted to senior attorney, where she will oversee hiring for attorneys in Texas, Oklahoma and Los Angeles and will be responsible for ensuring successful case management with adjusters.
JoAnn H. John (’15), a member at Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand, & Brackett in New Orleans has been selected for Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch 2024 for Workers’ Compensation Law–Employers.
Michael T. Neuner (’15), an associate at Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand, & Brackett in New Orleans has been selected as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch 2024 for Insurance Law. He also has become a Fellow of the Louisiana Bar Foundation.
2020s
Mary Katherine Loos (’21) has joined Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson’s Baton Rouge office as an associate in the Commercial Litigation practice group.
Samuel Velasquez (’21) has joined Wood, Smith, Henning and Berman in Houston as an associate practicing insurance and commercial and business litigation.
Alex J. Domingue (’22) an associate at Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand, & Brackett in New Orleans has become a Fellow of the Louisiana Bar Foundation.
Katie L. Fox (’22) an associate at Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand, & Brackett in New Orleans has become a Fellow of the Louisiana Bar Foundation.
In Memory
The LSU Law Center community mourns the passing of the following alumni:
Claire Porter Sharp (’84), 3/1/2023
Thomas James Bergman (’82), 10/27/2023
Jennifer Pendleton Macdonald (’86), 8/30/2023
