March 2024

1960s

Bernette Joshua Johnson (’69), who retired as Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court at the end of 2020, has joined New Orleans-based maps Mediation & Arbitration’s Panel of Neutrals and is now serving as a mediator and arbitrator.

1970s

Chuck Plattsmier (’78) has retired from his position as Louisiana's chief disciplinary counsel after 28 years in office.

1980s

Richard J. Arsenault (’80) was recognized in the latest edition of the Best Lawyers in America for his work in Admiralty, Maritime Law, Mass Tort Litigation, and Class Actions. He and his firm, Neblett, Beard & Arsenault, were included in the 2024 edition of United States Best Law Firms. Arsenault also spoke at a mass tort conference in West Palm Beach, Florida and chaired a Mass Torts Webinar regarding Artificial Intelligence.

Michael D. Ferachi (’89), a managing member of McGlinchey Stafford’s Baton Rouge office, has been named a fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, an invitation-only trial lawyer honorary society representing less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers.

1990s

Gerard J. Dragna (’94), a member at Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand & Brackett in New Orleans, has been selected for New Orleans Magazine Top Lawyers 2023 for Transportation Law.

John Bel Edwards (’99) joined Fishman Haygood upon the conclusion of his term as Louisiana Governor on Jan. 8. In his new role as special counsel, Edwards will focus on renewable energy and work with the firm’s business and litigation teams.

2000s

Emily B. Grey (’00), a partner in Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson’s Baton Rouge office, has been elected to the firm’s Management Committee.

Tanner A. Johnson (’01) has been named a partner in Van Ness Feldman’s Baton Rouge and Washington, D.C., offices.

Douglas Ortego (’02) has been elected to partnership in the Lafayette office of Deutsch Kerrigan.

Angelique Freel (’03) has been selected to serve as executive counsel for Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry.

Kerrie Crockett ('05), who serves as assistant chief counsel for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has had her article, "We Can Work It Out; The Art of Negotiation," accepted for publication in the Winter 2024 volume of the ABA Litigation Journal.

Michele H. DeShazo (’05) has joined Hinshaw & Culbertson as Of Counsel in the firm’s New Orleans office.

Julie B. Payer (’05) has been appointed to serve as Chief of Staff to Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome.

Lindsay F. Louapre (’07), a member at Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand & Brackett in New Orleans, has been selected for New Orleans Magazine Top Lawyers 2023 for Workers’ Compensation Law.

Terrance “Joe” Donahue (‘08) has been appointed secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development by Gov. Jeff Landry.

Michelle S. Stratton (’09) has launched Murphy Ball Stratton, a Houston-based boutique law firm focused on civil trials, white-collar trials/investigations, and appeals.

2010s

Kevin Blanchard (’11) has been named CEO of Lafayette’s Downtown Development Authority, effective Feb. 1.

Edward McAuliffe, III (’11), an associate at Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand & Bracket in New Orleans, has been selected for New Orleans Magazine Top Lawyers 2023 for Transportation Law.

Mary A. Bruce (’12) has been elected to partnership at Drake Injury Lawyers in Birmingham, Alabama.

Brad Barback (’14) has been named a member of McGlinchey Stafford’s Baton Rouge office.

Timothy Byrd (’14) has been named a member of McGlinchey Stafford’s New Orleans office.

Michael T. Neuner (’15), an associate at Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand & Brackett in New Orleans, has been selected for New Orleans Magazine Top Lawyers 2023 for Admiralty and Maritime.

Beau Bourgeois (’16) has been elected to partnership in the Baton Rouge office of Kean Miller.

Lauren Rucinski (’16) has been elected to partnership in the Baton Rouge office of Kean Miller.

Leah C. Cook (’17) has been elected to partnership in the Baton Rouge office of Taylor Porter.

Hunter Schoen (’17) has been elected to partnership in the Baton Rouge office of Adams and Reese.

Philip Giorlando (’18) has been elected to partnership in the New Orleans office of Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson.

Kristin Oglesby (’18) has been elected to partnership in the Baton Rouge office of Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson.

Stephen E. Downer (’19), has joined Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand & Brackett’s New Orleans office as an associate practicing Trucking & Transportation and Insurance Defense.

Casey B. Wendling (’19) has been elected to partnership in the New Orleans office of Deutsch Kerrigan.

2020s

Patrick Riley (’21) has been named the Director of Governmental Affairs & Assistant Legal Counsel for the Louisiana Chemical Association and the Louisiana Chemical Industry Alliance.