Jenny A. Abshier
Attorney
Big Easy Law
http://www.bigeasybk.com
Jenny Abshier has dedicated her career to providing compassionate, life-changing consumer advocacy. After earning her J.D. from Loyola University College of Law, Jenny began her bankruptcy practice in 2011. Her firm has since grown to four offices across Greater New Orleans. A two-time honoree of CityBusiness Leadership in Law (2021, 2026) and selected in 2024 for "In the Lead: Best Women-Owned Businesses," Jenny is a multi-year Super Lawyer (2023–2026), Rising Star (2017–2022), and 2020 New Orleans Magazine Top Lawyer. A steadfast advocate for equal access to justice, Jenny and her firm have received the Pro Bono Publico Award (LSBA), alongside the Distinguished Service and "Friend of Pro Bono" awards from the Pro Bono Project of New Orleans. Beyond her client work, Jenny is dedicated to supporting her fellow attorneys, viewing professional courtesy and collaboration as vital to protecting clients and strengthening the legal community.
Attorney
Big Easy Law
http://www.bigeasybk.com
Jenny Abshier has dedicated her career to providing compassionate, life-changing consumer advocacy. After earning her J.D. from Loyola University College of Law, Jenny began her bankruptcy practice in 2011. Her firm has since grown to four offices across Greater New Orleans. A two-time honoree of CityBusiness Leadership in Law (2021, 2026) and selected in 2024 for "In the Lead: Best Women-Owned Businesses," Jenny is a multi-year Super Lawyer (2023–2026), Rising Star (2017–2022), and 2020 New Orleans Magazine Top Lawyer. A steadfast advocate for equal access to justice, Jenny and her firm have received the Pro Bono Publico Award (LSBA), alongside the Distinguished Service and "Friend of Pro Bono" awards from the Pro Bono Project of New Orleans. Beyond her client work, Jenny is dedicated to supporting her fellow attorneys, viewing professional courtesy and collaboration as vital to protecting clients and strengthening the legal community.
Brooke W. Altazan
Attorney
Stewart Robbins & Altazan, LLC
http://stewartrobbins.com
Brooke W. Altazan earned her B.A. degree at Samford University in 2005. She received her Juris Doctor from Mississippi College School of Law in 2009, where she served as an executive board member of the Moot Court Board and extern to United States Bankruptcy Judge Neil P. Olack of the Southern District of Mississippi. Ms. Altazan is licensed to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and all U.S. District Courts and state courts in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. She is also a member of the Federal Bar Association, Louisiana State Bar Association, Baton Rouge Bar Association, the International Women's Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation, American Bankruptcy Institute, and former president of the Baton Rouge Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. Ms. Altazan is an equity member of Stewart Robbins & Altazan, LLC, where her practice encompasses general litigation and bankruptcy matters, including the representation of corporate and individual debtors, creditors, trustees, and committees.
Attorney
Stewart Robbins & Altazan, LLC
http://stewartrobbins.com
Brooke W. Altazan earned her B.A. degree at Samford University in 2005. She received her Juris Doctor from Mississippi College School of Law in 2009, where she served as an executive board member of the Moot Court Board and extern to United States Bankruptcy Judge Neil P. Olack of the Southern District of Mississippi. Ms. Altazan is licensed to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and all U.S. District Courts and state courts in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. She is also a member of the Federal Bar Association, Louisiana State Bar Association, Baton Rouge Bar Association, the International Women's Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation, American Bankruptcy Institute, and former president of the Baton Rouge Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. Ms. Altazan is an equity member of Stewart Robbins & Altazan, LLC, where her practice encompasses general litigation and bankruptcy matters, including the representation of corporate and individual debtors, creditors, trustees, and committees.
Edward "Hank" H. Arnold III
Baker Donelson
Edward H. "Hank" Arnold III is a shareholder in the New Orleans office of Baker Donelson, where he practices in the firm's Corporate Restructuring and Bankruptcy group. He has more than 25 years of experience in bankruptcy and transactional matters across the Gulf Coast, representing lenders, committees, shipyards, vessel operators, and exploration and production companies. He is a past president of the Louisiana Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association and serves on its board of directors. He received his J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 1988. [web]
Baker Donelson
Edward H. "Hank" Arnold III is a shareholder in the New Orleans office of Baker Donelson, where he practices in the firm's Corporate Restructuring and Bankruptcy group. He has more than 25 years of experience in bankruptcy and transactional matters across the Gulf Coast, representing lenders, committees, shipyards, vessel operators, and exploration and production companies. He is a past president of the Louisiana Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association and serves on its board of directors. He received his J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 1988. [web]
Hilary B. Bonial
Managing Director
Bonial and Associates, PC
http://www.Bonialpc.com
HILARY B. BONIAL is the Managing Director of Bonial & Associates, P. C. a default services law firm headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Member of the Louisiana State Bar 1996, Texas State Bar 2006, Board Certified in Consumer Bankruptcy by the American Board of Certification and the Louisiana Board of Specialization.
Managing Director
Bonial and Associates, PC
http://www.Bonialpc.com
HILARY B. BONIAL is the Managing Director of Bonial & Associates, P. C. a default services law firm headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Member of the Louisiana State Bar 1996, Texas State Bar 2006, Board Certified in Consumer Bankruptcy by the American Board of Certification and the Louisiana Board of Specialization.
Frederick "Fred" L. Bunol
The Derbes Law Firm, LLC
Mr. Bunol is a Managing Member of The Derbes Law Firm, LLC located in Metairie, Louisiana. In his bankruptcy practice, Mr. Bunol represents businesses and individuals that are Debtors in Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 and represents Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustees, creditors, landlords, tenants, and other parties-in-interest in Bankruptcy Court. In addition, Mr. Bunol serves as a Sub V Trustee in Louisiana with most of his cases being in the Middle and Eastern Districts of Louisiana.
The Derbes Law Firm, LLC
Mr. Bunol is a Managing Member of The Derbes Law Firm, LLC located in Metairie, Louisiana. In his bankruptcy practice, Mr. Bunol represents businesses and individuals that are Debtors in Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 and represents Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustees, creditors, landlords, tenants, and other parties-in-interest in Bankruptcy Court. In addition, Mr. Bunol serves as a Sub V Trustee in Louisiana with most of his cases being in the Middle and Eastern Districts of Louisiana.
Hon. Michael A. Crawford
Judge
US Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Louisiana
Michael A. Crawford was sworn in as Chief Bankruptcy Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Louisiana on October 3, 2022. Judge Crawford was previously a member of Taylor Porter law firm in Baton Rouge for over 22 years serving as the chair of its banking, real estate and bankruptcy practice group for several years. He has lectured extensively on bankruptcy-related topics and completed the St. John’s University/American Bankruptcy Institute bankruptcy mediation course in 2014. Judge Crawford received his undergraduate degree in business/finance in 1984 from Louisiana State University. Later, while working full time in the family business in Ruston, he earned his MBA from Louisiana Tech University in 1988. He attended the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at LSU and earned his Juris Doctorate in 1993. Following graduation, he served a one year judicial clerkship with the Honorable Gerald H. Schiff (Ret.), United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana. Judge Crawford grew up in Winnfield, Louisiana. He currently resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He and his wife have two children.
Judge
US Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Louisiana
Michael A. Crawford was sworn in as Chief Bankruptcy Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Louisiana on October 3, 2022. Judge Crawford was previously a member of Taylor Porter law firm in Baton Rouge for over 22 years serving as the chair of its banking, real estate and bankruptcy practice group for several years. He has lectured extensively on bankruptcy-related topics and completed the St. John’s University/American Bankruptcy Institute bankruptcy mediation course in 2014. Judge Crawford received his undergraduate degree in business/finance in 1984 from Louisiana State University. Later, while working full time in the family business in Ruston, he earned his MBA from Louisiana Tech University in 1988. He attended the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at LSU and earned his Juris Doctorate in 1993. Following graduation, he served a one year judicial clerkship with the Honorable Gerald H. Schiff (Ret.), United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana. Judge Crawford grew up in Winnfield, Louisiana. He currently resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He and his wife have two children.
Albert J. Derbes IV
The Derbes Law Firm, LLC
Albert J. Derbes, IV is a founding member and co-managing member of the ten attorney Derbes Law Firm, LLC. He has practiced law for more than 30 years, with a heavy emphasis in commercial bankruptcy - - representing creditors, trustees, debtors and committees. Some of his more well-known cases include Schwegmann Giant Super Market (as Trustee’s counsel), Ormond Country Club (as Debtor’s counsel), and New Orleans Paddlewheel [i.e., the Creole Queen] (as Creditor Committee’s counsel). His other areas of practice include commercial litigation, commercial transactions, successions, succession & trust litigation, and entity law (esp. concerning the division of and liquidation of closely held businesses). Mr. Derbes is a frequent speaker on bankruptcy and other business-related topics. Mr. Derbes’ extensive litigation experience includes litigating in multiple Louisiana District Courts, Federal District Courts, Tax Court, as well as Bankruptcy Courts in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi. He recently became certified as a Louisiana Mediator. He obtained his B.A. from Rice University and his J.D. from Tulane School of Law.
The Derbes Law Firm, LLC
Albert J. Derbes, IV is a founding member and co-managing member of the ten attorney Derbes Law Firm, LLC. He has practiced law for more than 30 years, with a heavy emphasis in commercial bankruptcy - - representing creditors, trustees, debtors and committees. Some of his more well-known cases include Schwegmann Giant Super Market (as Trustee’s counsel), Ormond Country Club (as Debtor’s counsel), and New Orleans Paddlewheel [i.e., the Creole Queen] (as Creditor Committee’s counsel). His other areas of practice include commercial litigation, commercial transactions, successions, succession & trust litigation, and entity law (esp. concerning the division of and liquidation of closely held businesses). Mr. Derbes is a frequent speaker on bankruptcy and other business-related topics. Mr. Derbes’ extensive litigation experience includes litigating in multiple Louisiana District Courts, Federal District Courts, Tax Court, as well as Bankruptcy Courts in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi. He recently became certified as a Louisiana Mediator. He obtained his B.A. from Rice University and his J.D. from Tulane School of Law.
Conner L. Dillon
Gold, Weems, Bruser, Sues & Rundell
Conner L. Dillon is an attorney at Gold Weems in Alexandria, Louisiana. Conner practices mainly within the firm’s Bankruptcy and Business Reorganization section, and he has a broad rage of experience representing both debtors and creditors in challenging financial circumstances. He has a particular focus on representing farmers and agricultural clients in debt workouts and Chapter 12 cases. Conner also is experienced in commercial litigation and has represented clients at both the trial and appellate level.
Gold, Weems, Bruser, Sues & Rundell
Conner L. Dillon is an attorney at Gold Weems in Alexandria, Louisiana. Conner practices mainly within the firm’s Bankruptcy and Business Reorganization section, and he has a broad rage of experience representing both debtors and creditors in challenging financial circumstances. He has a particular focus on representing farmers and agricultural clients in debt workouts and Chapter 12 cases. Conner also is experienced in commercial litigation and has represented clients at both the trial and appellate level.
Hon. Jerry Edwards
Judge
US District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
The Honorable Jerry Edwards took the bench as judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana in 2023. He previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Western District of Louisiana. He served as Chief of the Civil Division where he oversaw all civil actions involving the United States brought in federal or state courts within the territorial limits of the Western District of Louisiana. These actions included torts, employment litigation, federal program litigation, judicial review of agency decisions, bankruptcy and collection proceedings, and lawsuits filed by the United States to recover money lost due to fraud or to impose civil penalties for violations of the nation's health, safety and economic welfare laws
Judge
US District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
The Honorable Jerry Edwards took the bench as judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana in 2023. He previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Western District of Louisiana. He served as Chief of the Civil Division where he oversaw all civil actions involving the United States brought in federal or state courts within the territorial limits of the Western District of Louisiana. These actions included torts, employment litigation, federal program litigation, judicial review of agency decisions, bankruptcy and collection proceedings, and lawsuits filed by the United States to recover money lost due to fraud or to impose civil penalties for violations of the nation's health, safety and economic welfare laws
Karie Fahrenholz
Office of the Chapter 13 Trustee for the Eastern District of Louisiana
Karie L Fahrenholz was appointed the Chapter 13 Trustee of the Eastern District of Louisiana on October 1, 2025. Before becoming Trustee, she worked as a staff attorney in the 8th and 10th circuits for 22 years. She earned both her undergraduate degree and her law degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Office of the Chapter 13 Trustee for the Eastern District of Louisiana
Karie L Fahrenholz was appointed the Chapter 13 Trustee of the Eastern District of Louisiana on October 1, 2025. Before becoming Trustee, she worked as a staff attorney in the 8th and 10th circuits for 22 years. She earned both her undergraduate degree and her law degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Craig Geno
Law Offices of Craig M. Geno, PLLC
Craig M. Geno is the principal of the Law Offices of Craig M. Geno, PLLC in Ridgeland, Mississippi, where his practice focuses on bankruptcy and creditor-debtor rights. He has been board certified in business bankruptcy since 1998, is a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy (Class XVII, 2006), and has served as a director of the American Board of Certification. He is a past president of the Mississippi Bankruptcy Conference and has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 2001, including recognition as the 2010 Jackson Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Lawyer of the Year. He received his B.A. and J.D. from the University of Mississippi. [web]
Law Offices of Craig M. Geno, PLLC
Craig M. Geno is the principal of the Law Offices of Craig M. Geno, PLLC in Ridgeland, Mississippi, where his practice focuses on bankruptcy and creditor-debtor rights. He has been board certified in business bankruptcy since 1998, is a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy (Class XVII, 2006), and has served as a director of the American Board of Certification. He is a past president of the Mississippi Bankruptcy Conference and has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 2001, including recognition as the 2010 Jackson Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Lawyer of the Year. He received his B.A. and J.D. from the University of Mississippi. [web]
Dinorah Gonzalez
Office of the Chapter 13 Trustee for the Western District of Louisiana, Alexandria Division
Dinorah Gonzalez was appointed Standing Chapter 13 Trustee for the Western District of Louisiana, Alexandria Division effective August 1, 2025. Dinorah is a native Texan. In Houston, Dinorah served as the managing staff attorney to a chapter 13 trustee for eighteen years. Prior to that, she was a consumer debtors' attorney, working for some of the most prolific filing consumer bankruptcy firms in Houston and representing hundreds of debtors before half a dozen judges.
Dinorah has also sat on the executive committee of the Moller-Foltz Inn of Court for the last five years, where she headed the community outreach efforts of the Inn. Dinorah has organized several successful food and volunteer drives, resulting in hundreds of pounds and dozens of service hours donated to those suffering food insecurity in the Greater Houston Area.
Dinorah is a mom of two. She splits all of her spare time between her daughter in Baton Rouge at LSU and her son in Houston at U of H, plus, seven cats, three rabbits, and two aquatic turtles.
Office of the Chapter 13 Trustee for the Western District of Louisiana, Alexandria Division
Dinorah Gonzalez was appointed Standing Chapter 13 Trustee for the Western District of Louisiana, Alexandria Division effective August 1, 2025. Dinorah is a native Texan. In Houston, Dinorah served as the managing staff attorney to a chapter 13 trustee for eighteen years. Prior to that, she was a consumer debtors' attorney, working for some of the most prolific filing consumer bankruptcy firms in Houston and representing hundreds of debtors before half a dozen judges.
Dinorah has also sat on the executive committee of the Moller-Foltz Inn of Court for the last five years, where she headed the community outreach efforts of the Inn. Dinorah has organized several successful food and volunteer drives, resulting in hundreds of pounds and dozens of service hours donated to those suffering food insecurity in the Greater Houston Area.
Dinorah is a mom of two. She splits all of her spare time between her daughter in Baton Rouge at LSU and her son in Houston at U of H, plus, seven cats, three rabbits, and two aquatic turtles.
Hon. Meredith S. Grabill
Chief United States Bankruptcy Judge
US Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
Chief Judge Meredith Grabill started her tenure as the Chief Judge for the United States Bankruptcy Court in the Eastern District of Louisiana in 2019. Before taking the bench, she practiced law primarily in the areas of bankruptcy, commercial, and oil-and-gas litigation in Louisiana and New York. Judge Grabill worked on teams representing, as examples, a commercial real estate finance firm in bankruptcy, an insurance company in a demutualization and acquisition process, and creditors’ committees in E&P companies’ bankruptcy proceedings, as well as multinational high-tech corporations in antitrust proceedings worldwide and a professional players’ association in labor and contract disputes. She has represented insurance and reinsurance companies in contract disputes, and both individuals and corporations in fraudulent transfer and other commercial and oil-and-gas disputes. She had the privilege of serving as the clerk to the Special Master appointed by the United States Supreme Court to preside over an interstate water-rights dispute. To build upon the skills and experience she gained in her bankruptcy practice, Judge Grabill served as a judicial clerk to Judge Martin Glenn, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, from 2011-2012.
Before entering the private practice of law, she served as a judicial clerk to Judge Edith Brown Clement, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, from 2007-2008; and Judge Martin L.C. Feldman, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, from 2006-2007.
Judge Grabill earned her J.D. from Tulane University School of Law in 2006, where she served as Editor In Chief of the Tulane Law Review from 2005-2006. The faculty honored her with the John Minor Wisdom Award for Academic Excellence and Legal Scholarship that is awarded annually to an outstanding student of the graduating class. In 1997, she received her B.A. in Political Science and History from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington.
Before law school, Judge Grabill worked with adjudicated and at-risk youth, providing direct cognitive-behavioral treatment to youth experiencing mental health symptoms, chemical dependency, and developmental delays. She later served as an executive-level administrator for a juvenile justice agency in Washington States, working with clinicians to develop and implement cognitive-behavioral treatment programs for youth residing in institutions and in the community.
In addition to her duties in the courtroom, Judge Grabill teaches an annual course at Tulane Law School on chapter 11 bankruptcy and restructuring.
Chief United States Bankruptcy Judge
US Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
Chief Judge Meredith Grabill started her tenure as the Chief Judge for the United States Bankruptcy Court in the Eastern District of Louisiana in 2019. Before taking the bench, she practiced law primarily in the areas of bankruptcy, commercial, and oil-and-gas litigation in Louisiana and New York. Judge Grabill worked on teams representing, as examples, a commercial real estate finance firm in bankruptcy, an insurance company in a demutualization and acquisition process, and creditors’ committees in E&P companies’ bankruptcy proceedings, as well as multinational high-tech corporations in antitrust proceedings worldwide and a professional players’ association in labor and contract disputes. She has represented insurance and reinsurance companies in contract disputes, and both individuals and corporations in fraudulent transfer and other commercial and oil-and-gas disputes. She had the privilege of serving as the clerk to the Special Master appointed by the United States Supreme Court to preside over an interstate water-rights dispute. To build upon the skills and experience she gained in her bankruptcy practice, Judge Grabill served as a judicial clerk to Judge Martin Glenn, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, from 2011-2012.
Before entering the private practice of law, she served as a judicial clerk to Judge Edith Brown Clement, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, from 2007-2008; and Judge Martin L.C. Feldman, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, from 2006-2007.
Judge Grabill earned her J.D. from Tulane University School of Law in 2006, where she served as Editor In Chief of the Tulane Law Review from 2005-2006. The faculty honored her with the John Minor Wisdom Award for Academic Excellence and Legal Scholarship that is awarded annually to an outstanding student of the graduating class. In 1997, she received her B.A. in Political Science and History from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington.
Before law school, Judge Grabill worked with adjudicated and at-risk youth, providing direct cognitive-behavioral treatment to youth experiencing mental health symptoms, chemical dependency, and developmental delays. She later served as an executive-level administrator for a juvenile justice agency in Washington States, working with clinicians to develop and implement cognitive-behavioral treatment programs for youth residing in institutions and in the community.
In addition to her duties in the courtroom, Judge Grabill teaches an annual course at Tulane Law School on chapter 11 bankruptcy and restructuring.
Ernest "Gene" E. Hastings
Chapter 13 Trustee
Office of the Chapter 13 Trustee for the Western District of Louisiana, Monroe Division
E. Eugene Hastings has been serving as the Chapter 13 Trustee for the Monroe Division of the Western District of Louisiana since 2003. From 2015 until 2021 he was also appointed to the position of case Trustee for all of the Chapter 12 cases pending in the State of Louisiana. Prior to being selected for the position of a Chapter 13 Trustee, Gene was a Chapter 7 Trustee for approximately eight years. During the time that he was a Chapter 7 Trustee he was also named as Trustee in several Chapter 11 cases. He received his undergraduate degree from Louisiana Tech University and is a 1984 graduate of the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at LSU.
Chapter 13 Trustee
Office of the Chapter 13 Trustee for the Western District of Louisiana, Monroe Division
E. Eugene Hastings has been serving as the Chapter 13 Trustee for the Monroe Division of the Western District of Louisiana since 2003. From 2015 until 2021 he was also appointed to the position of case Trustee for all of the Chapter 12 cases pending in the State of Louisiana. Prior to being selected for the position of a Chapter 13 Trustee, Gene was a Chapter 7 Trustee for approximately eight years. During the time that he was a Chapter 7 Trustee he was also named as Trustee in several Chapter 11 cases. He received his undergraduate degree from Louisiana Tech University and is a 1984 graduate of the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at LSU.
Daven M. Hill
Office of the Chapter 13 Trustee for the Western District of Louisiana, Shreveport Division
Daven M. Hill was appointed Chapter 13 Trustee for the Shreveport Division of the Western District of Louisiana, effective October 1, 2025. Prior to her appointment, Mrs. Hill was a staff attorney and co-director of operations for the Chapter 13 Trustee's office. Mrs. Hill graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. She also received a Master of Public Administration from Louisiana State University. In 2006, Mrs. Hill received her Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Civil Law from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University, and she was admitted practice in Louisiana that same year. Mrs. Hill is married to Christopher Hill, former
LSU football player, and they have four wonderful children.
Office of the Chapter 13 Trustee for the Western District of Louisiana, Shreveport Division
Daven M. Hill was appointed Chapter 13 Trustee for the Shreveport Division of the Western District of Louisiana, effective October 1, 2025. Prior to her appointment, Mrs. Hill was a staff attorney and co-director of operations for the Chapter 13 Trustee's office. Mrs. Hill graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. She also received a Master of Public Administration from Louisiana State University. In 2006, Mrs. Hill received her Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Civil Law from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University, and she was admitted practice in Louisiana that same year. Mrs. Hill is married to Christopher Hill, former
LSU football player, and they have four wonderful children.
Hon. John S. Hodge
Chief United States Bankruptcy Judge
US Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana
http://www.lawb.uscourts.gov
John S. Hodge serves as Chief Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana. Prior to his appointment as a Judge in 2018, he served as a Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee and was a member of a Shreveport law firm where his practice focused on bankruptcy, commercial litigation and commercial real estate. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Louisiana State University, and a J. D. from Louisiana State University Law Center.
Chief United States Bankruptcy Judge
US Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana
http://www.lawb.uscourts.gov
John S. Hodge serves as Chief Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana. Prior to his appointment as a Judge in 2018, he served as a Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee and was a member of a Shreveport law firm where his practice focused on bankruptcy, commercial litigation and commercial real estate. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Louisiana State University, and a J. D. from Louisiana State University Law Center.
Todd S. Johns
Chapter 13 Trustee, Northern District of Mississippi; Chapter 12 Trustee, Louisiana
Office of the Chapter 13 Trustee for the Northern District of Mississippi
Todd Johns is currently a Chapter 13 Trustee for the Nothern District of Mississippi and the Chapter 12 Trustee in Louisiana. He was previously the Chapter 13 Trustee for the Shreveport Division of the Western District of Louisiana from 2016 to 2023. Prior to this appointment, Todd was the staff attorney and office manager for the Chapter 13 and Chapter 12 offices of Harold J. Barkley, Jr. from October 2005 to August 2016. He was the staff attorney for Harold J. Barkley, Jr and Locke D. Barkley from June 1999 to October 2005. Prior to his bankruptcy practice, Todd began his practice as an assistant state attorney for the 3rd Judicial District of Florida, and worked as an insurance defense attorney in Jackson, Mississippi. He is licensed to practice in all Courts in Mississippi and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. He is also an inactive member of the Florida Bar.
Todd is a native of Live Oak, Florida, and attended Jacksonville University (FL) and the Mississippi College School of Law. He is a member of the Booth-Politz Inn of Court, the American Bankruptcy Institute, and the Western District of Louisiana Rules Committee. He has previously been a speaker at the Mississippi Bankruptcy Conference, the LSU Bankruptcy Conference, the Region 5 Standing Trustee Training and the NACTT annual seminar.
Chapter 13 Trustee, Northern District of Mississippi; Chapter 12 Trustee, Louisiana
Office of the Chapter 13 Trustee for the Northern District of Mississippi
Todd Johns is currently a Chapter 13 Trustee for the Nothern District of Mississippi and the Chapter 12 Trustee in Louisiana. He was previously the Chapter 13 Trustee for the Shreveport Division of the Western District of Louisiana from 2016 to 2023. Prior to this appointment, Todd was the staff attorney and office manager for the Chapter 13 and Chapter 12 offices of Harold J. Barkley, Jr. from October 2005 to August 2016. He was the staff attorney for Harold J. Barkley, Jr and Locke D. Barkley from June 1999 to October 2005. Prior to his bankruptcy practice, Todd began his practice as an assistant state attorney for the 3rd Judicial District of Florida, and worked as an insurance defense attorney in Jackson, Mississippi. He is licensed to practice in all Courts in Mississippi and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. He is also an inactive member of the Florida Bar.
Todd is a native of Live Oak, Florida, and attended Jacksonville University (FL) and the Mississippi College School of Law. He is a member of the Booth-Politz Inn of Court, the American Bankruptcy Institute, and the Western District of Louisiana Rules Committee. He has previously been a speaker at the Mississippi Bankruptcy Conference, the LSU Bankruptcy Conference, the Region 5 Standing Trustee Training and the NACTT annual seminar.
Ben W. Kadden
Lugenbuhl
Benjamin (Ben) Kadden is the Managing Partner and leader of the Restructuring and Insolvency Section at Lugenbuhl. His areas of focus include bankruptcy, restructuring, creditors’ rights, corporate and commercial law, mergers and acquisitions, litigation, and asset-based finance. Ben has acted as lead counsel for various Official Committees of Unsecured Creditors, as well as special counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the Trico Marine bankruptcy. He has also served as Debtor’s counsel in a number of Chapter 11 proceedings, including Gulf Fleet Holdings, Inc., East Cameron Partners, L.P., and Bender Shipbuilding & Repair Co.
Admitted to practice in Louisiana and Texas, Ben has also served as special or local counsel in several large Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases in the Southern District of Texas. He has represented numerous liquidating and litigating trusts arising out of confirmed plans of reorganization and has participated in a number of merger and acquisition transactions. Because of his experience in complex Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, Ben has knowledge regarding the purchase or sale of assets by distressed companies, including navigating the process while a buyer or seller is in bankruptcy.
Ben is admitted to practice and regularly does so in the following jurisdictions: Louisiana, Texas, U.S. Fifth Circuit, and all U.S. District Courts in Louisiana and Texas. His is ranked by Chambers USA ranking, is recognized by Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers, a New Orleans Top Lawyer recipient, and an AV Preeminent Rated Attorney by Martindale-Hubbell.
Lugenbuhl
Benjamin (Ben) Kadden is the Managing Partner and leader of the Restructuring and Insolvency Section at Lugenbuhl. His areas of focus include bankruptcy, restructuring, creditors’ rights, corporate and commercial law, mergers and acquisitions, litigation, and asset-based finance. Ben has acted as lead counsel for various Official Committees of Unsecured Creditors, as well as special counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the Trico Marine bankruptcy. He has also served as Debtor’s counsel in a number of Chapter 11 proceedings, including Gulf Fleet Holdings, Inc., East Cameron Partners, L.P., and Bender Shipbuilding & Repair Co.
Admitted to practice in Louisiana and Texas, Ben has also served as special or local counsel in several large Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases in the Southern District of Texas. He has represented numerous liquidating and litigating trusts arising out of confirmed plans of reorganization and has participated in a number of merger and acquisition transactions. Because of his experience in complex Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, Ben has knowledge regarding the purchase or sale of assets by distressed companies, including navigating the process while a buyer or seller is in bankruptcy.
Ben is admitted to practice and regularly does so in the following jurisdictions: Louisiana, Texas, U.S. Fifth Circuit, and all U.S. District Courts in Louisiana and Texas. His is ranked by Chambers USA ranking, is recognized by Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers, a New Orleans Top Lawyer recipient, and an AV Preeminent Rated Attorney by Martindale-Hubbell.
Bradley "Brad" C. Knapp
Troutman Pepper Locke
Brad Knapp is a partner in the bankruptcy and restructuring section of Troutman Pepper Locke LLP in New Orleans. Brad's practice includes committee representations, creditor representations, and the occasional Chapter 11 debtor case. Brad also handles a wide variety of both bankruptcy and regulatory issues for energy industry clients. Brad has practiced with Troutman Pepper Locke or one of its predecessors since 2007.
Troutman Pepper Locke
Brad Knapp is a partner in the bankruptcy and restructuring section of Troutman Pepper Locke LLP in New Orleans. Brad's practice includes committee representations, creditor representations, and the occasional Chapter 11 debtor case. Brad also handles a wide variety of both bankruptcy and regulatory issues for energy industry clients. Brad has practiced with Troutman Pepper Locke or one of its predecessors since 2007.
Hon. John W. Kolwe
United States Bankruptcy Judge
US Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana
John W. Kolwe was appointed United States Bankruptcy Judge by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, effective August 12, 2015. He was sworn in by Bankruptcy Judge Robert R. Summerhays and served in the Alexandria and Monroe Divisions of the Western District of Louisiana until April 25, 2019. On October 5, 2018, he was appointed to the Lafayette and Lake Charles Divisions to fill the vacancy left by Judge Summerhays. He served as Chief Judge for the Western District of Louisiana from April 2018 to April 2023. He received his B.S. in Accounting from Centenary College of Louisiana in 1985. Following graduation from Centenary, Judge Kolwe worked as a CPA. Judge Kolwe received his J.D. in 1991from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center. He practiced law in Lafayette, Louisiana from 1991 until joining the bench. John is presently the Fifth Circuit Governor of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges. He is also a member of the Dean’s Council for the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center. John and his wife, Miriam, reside in Lafayette, Louisiana, where they raised their two children.
United States Bankruptcy Judge
US Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana
John W. Kolwe was appointed United States Bankruptcy Judge by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, effective August 12, 2015. He was sworn in by Bankruptcy Judge Robert R. Summerhays and served in the Alexandria and Monroe Divisions of the Western District of Louisiana until April 25, 2019. On October 5, 2018, he was appointed to the Lafayette and Lake Charles Divisions to fill the vacancy left by Judge Summerhays. He served as Chief Judge for the Western District of Louisiana from April 2018 to April 2023. He received his B.S. in Accounting from Centenary College of Louisiana in 1985. Following graduation from Centenary, Judge Kolwe worked as a CPA. Judge Kolwe received his J.D. in 1991from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center. He practiced law in Lafayette, Louisiana from 1991 until joining the bench. John is presently the Fifth Circuit Governor of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges. He is also a member of the Dean’s Council for the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center. John and his wife, Miriam, reside in Lafayette, Louisiana, where they raised their two children.
Omer "Rick" F. Kuebel III
Partner
Troutman Pepper Locke
http://www.lockelord.com
Omer F. "Rick" Kuebel III is a partner in the New Orleans office of Troutman Pepper Locke LLP and has served as co-chair of the firm's Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Insolvency Practice Group. His practice covers corporate restructuring and bankruptcy matters in industries including energy, manufacturing, gaming, health care, and retail, as well as distressed transactions, creditor collection and enforcement litigation, and oil and gas business and regulatory disputes. He has formed or represented unsecured creditors' committees in reorganizations including Seadrill, Diamond Offshore, and Yuma Exploration, and has represented companies in energy restructurings including McDermott International, Valaris, and Fieldwood Energy. [web]
Partner
Troutman Pepper Locke
http://www.lockelord.com
Omer F. "Rick" Kuebel III is a partner in the New Orleans office of Troutman Pepper Locke LLP and has served as co-chair of the firm's Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Insolvency Practice Group. His practice covers corporate restructuring and bankruptcy matters in industries including energy, manufacturing, gaming, health care, and retail, as well as distressed transactions, creditor collection and enforcement litigation, and oil and gas business and regulatory disputes. He has formed or represented unsecured creditors' committees in reorganizations including Seadrill, Diamond Offshore, and Yuma Exploration, and has represented companies in energy restructurings including McDermott International, Valaris, and Fieldwood Energy. [web]
L. Laban Levy
Partner
Simon Fitzgerald, LLC
https://www.SimonFitzgerald.com
L. Laban Levy is a partner with Simon Fitzgerald, LLC, where his practice is devoted to representing consumer debtors in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases. He has practiced bankruptcy law since 2004 and has filed or been directly involved in thousands of consumer bankruptcy cases throughout the Western District of Louisiana. Levy received his B.S. in Business Administration from Northwestern State University and his J.D. and Bachelor of Civil Law from the LSU Law Center. Following law school, he served as law clerk to the Honorable Henry N. Brown, Jr., Chief Judge of the Louisiana Second Circuit Court of Appeal. He is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association and the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.
Partner
Simon Fitzgerald, LLC
https://www.SimonFitzgerald.com
L. Laban Levy is a partner with Simon Fitzgerald, LLC, where his practice is devoted to representing consumer debtors in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases. He has practiced bankruptcy law since 2004 and has filed or been directly involved in thousands of consumer bankruptcy cases throughout the Western District of Louisiana. Levy received his B.S. in Business Administration from Northwestern State University and his J.D. and Bachelor of Civil Law from the LSU Law Center. Following law school, he served as law clerk to the Honorable Henry N. Brown, Jr., Chief Judge of the Louisiana Second Circuit Court of Appeal. He is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association and the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.
Hon. Christopher M. López
United States Bankruptcy Judge
US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas
United States Bankruptcy Judge Christopher M. López was appointed to the United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas, effective August 14, 2019. Judge López was sworn in by United States Circuit Judge Gregg Costa on Wednesday, August 14, 2019.
United States Bankruptcy Judge
US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas
United States Bankruptcy Judge Christopher M. López was appointed to the United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas, effective August 14, 2019. Judge López was sworn in by United States Circuit Judge Gregg Costa on Wednesday, August 14, 2019.
Hon. Keith M. Lundin
United State Bankruptcy Judge (retired)
US Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Tennessee
Judge Keith Lundin was appointed to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Tennessee in 1982. He retired in June 2016. He served as a judge on the first Bankruptcy Appellate Panel of the Sixth Circuit from 1997-99. He is on the faculty of the Federal Judicial Center and is a Conferee of the National Bankruptcy Conference. In addition to teaching as an adjunct professor at Vanderbilt Law School, he taught at the University of New Mexico, where he was the Weihofen Distinguished Visiting Professor of Law in 2006, at Emory University School of Law and on numerous seminar and institute faculties. He received the Excellence in Education award from the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges and the Norton Judicial Excellence Award from the American Bankruptcy Institute. He is the author of LundinOnChapter13.com and was managing editor of the Norton Bankruptcy Law Adviser (Thompson/Reuters/West) from 1982 to 2024. After earning his law degree from Vanderbilt, he clerked for Chief Judge Harry Phillips of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. While in private practice, he served as standing Chapter 13 trustee for the Middle District of Tennessee. He teaches Effective Legal Writing for the Real World; Discharge and Dischargeability; and Chapter 13.
United State Bankruptcy Judge (retired)
US Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Tennessee
Judge Keith Lundin was appointed to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Tennessee in 1982. He retired in June 2016. He served as a judge on the first Bankruptcy Appellate Panel of the Sixth Circuit from 1997-99. He is on the faculty of the Federal Judicial Center and is a Conferee of the National Bankruptcy Conference. In addition to teaching as an adjunct professor at Vanderbilt Law School, he taught at the University of New Mexico, where he was the Weihofen Distinguished Visiting Professor of Law in 2006, at Emory University School of Law and on numerous seminar and institute faculties. He received the Excellence in Education award from the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges and the Norton Judicial Excellence Award from the American Bankruptcy Institute. He is the author of LundinOnChapter13.com and was managing editor of the Norton Bankruptcy Law Adviser (Thompson/Reuters/West) from 1982 to 2024. After earning his law degree from Vanderbilt, he clerked for Chief Judge Harry Phillips of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. While in private practice, he served as standing Chapter 13 trustee for the Middle District of Tennessee. He teaches Effective Legal Writing for the Real World; Discharge and Dischargeability; and Chapter 13.
Tristan Manthey
Fishman Haygood, L.L.P.
Tristan E. Manthey is a partner in the New Orleans office of Fishman Haygood, L.L.P., where his practice focuses on bankruptcy and restructuring and on fraudulent transfer and specialized bankruptcy litigation. He has served as Chapter 11 debtor's counsel to companies including Saratoga Resources, Legends Gaming Company, and Communications Corporation of America, and as counsel to official committees in cases including Energy XXI, PetroQuest Energy, and Seahawk Drilling. He has been ranked Band 1 in Bankruptcy/Restructuring by Chambers USA since 2011 and was named the 2021 Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year for Litigation - Bankruptcy in New Orleans. He is a former chair of the Louisiana State Bar Association's Bankruptcy Section and received his J.D., cum laude, from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 1996. [web]
Fishman Haygood, L.L.P.
Tristan E. Manthey is a partner in the New Orleans office of Fishman Haygood, L.L.P., where his practice focuses on bankruptcy and restructuring and on fraudulent transfer and specialized bankruptcy litigation. He has served as Chapter 11 debtor's counsel to companies including Saratoga Resources, Legends Gaming Company, and Communications Corporation of America, and as counsel to official committees in cases including Energy XXI, PetroQuest Energy, and Seahawk Drilling. He has been ranked Band 1 in Bankruptcy/Restructuring by Chambers USA since 2011 and was named the 2021 Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year for Litigation - Bankruptcy in New Orleans. He is a former chair of the Louisiana State Bar Association's Bankruptcy Section and received his J.D., cum laude, from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 1996. [web]
Donald Massey
Couhig Partners, LLC
Donald C. Massey is Of Counsel with Couhig Partners, LLC in New Orleans and serves as Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel of Delta SubSea, LLC. He has practiced law since 1984, has tried well over 100 cases, most of them to juries, and has served as lead lawyer, liaison counsel, special master, and expert witness in class action and complex litigation. He serves as a hearing committee chair for the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board and as a FINRA arbitrator, and he lectures on ethics, professionalism, corporate law, and litigation topics. [web]
Couhig Partners, LLC
Donald C. Massey is Of Counsel with Couhig Partners, LLC in New Orleans and serves as Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel of Delta SubSea, LLC. He has practiced law since 1984, has tried well over 100 cases, most of them to juries, and has served as lead lawyer, liaison counsel, special master, and expert witness in class action and complex litigation. He serves as a hearing committee chair for the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board and as a FINRA arbitrator, and he lectures on ethics, professionalism, corporate law, and litigation topics. [web]
Chris Meyer
Senior Counsel
Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP
Chris Meyer is a member of Womble Bond Dickinson's Bankruptcy Team of the Finance, Bankruptcy and Restructuring Practice Group. Chris focuses his practice on complex commercial and financial services litigation. He counsels banks, financial institutions, lenders, and other corporate clients in disputes arising under federal and state consumer protection laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Chris advises clients on complex matters, including title defect resolution, adverse possession claims, and related property and insurance disputes. Chris earned his J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law and his M.S. and B.B.A. from Mississippi State University. Chris is admitted to practice in Tennessee, Florida, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
Senior Counsel
Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP
Chris Meyer is a member of Womble Bond Dickinson's Bankruptcy Team of the Finance, Bankruptcy and Restructuring Practice Group. Chris focuses his practice on complex commercial and financial services litigation. He counsels banks, financial institutions, lenders, and other corporate clients in disputes arising under federal and state consumer protection laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Chris advises clients on complex matters, including title defect resolution, adverse possession claims, and related property and insurance disputes. Chris earned his J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law and his M.S. and B.B.A. from Mississippi State University. Chris is admitted to practice in Tennessee, Florida, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
Mark A. Mintz
Jones Walker LLP
Mark is co-lead of Jones Walker's bankruptcy and restructuring team, a multi-office practice whose attorneys regularly handle matters larger and more intricate than those typically seen by firms of comparable size. Mark’s own practice centers on debtor and debtor-adjacent representations, with a particular focus on cases marked by financial complexity, intense public scrutiny, and business and reputational consequences that reach well beyond the balance sheet.
Among recent matters, Mark served as lead debtor's counsel in the mass tort Chapter 11 of a major archdiocese in the southeastern United States, one of the most closely watched religious-institution bankruptcies in the nation. The case gave rise to novel legal questions, contested plan issues, and multiple appeals, and concluded with a resolution comprising hundreds of millions of dollars, including funds for disbursement to survivors, a related bond issue, significant real estate transactions, the sale of a healthcare system, and the transfer of a senior housing authority. In a separate engagement, Mark represented an association of parishes in the bankruptcy of a New England diocese, which produced the first mass tort bankruptcy plan confirmed following the US Supreme Court's decision in Purdue Pharma.
Mark joined Jones Walker after serving as a law clerk to the Honorable Carl J. Barbier of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Committed to the ongoing education of attorneys at every stage of their careers, Mark serves as adjunct professor of law at Tulane Law School, where he teaches business reorganizations, and writes and speaks frequently on a wide range of bankruptcy and restructuring topics.
Jones Walker LLP
Mark is co-lead of Jones Walker's bankruptcy and restructuring team, a multi-office practice whose attorneys regularly handle matters larger and more intricate than those typically seen by firms of comparable size. Mark’s own practice centers on debtor and debtor-adjacent representations, with a particular focus on cases marked by financial complexity, intense public scrutiny, and business and reputational consequences that reach well beyond the balance sheet.
Among recent matters, Mark served as lead debtor's counsel in the mass tort Chapter 11 of a major archdiocese in the southeastern United States, one of the most closely watched religious-institution bankruptcies in the nation. The case gave rise to novel legal questions, contested plan issues, and multiple appeals, and concluded with a resolution comprising hundreds of millions of dollars, including funds for disbursement to survivors, a related bond issue, significant real estate transactions, the sale of a healthcare system, and the transfer of a senior housing authority. In a separate engagement, Mark represented an association of parishes in the bankruptcy of a New England diocese, which produced the first mass tort bankruptcy plan confirmed following the US Supreme Court's decision in Purdue Pharma.
Mark joined Jones Walker after serving as a law clerk to the Honorable Carl J. Barbier of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Committed to the ongoing education of attorneys at every stage of their careers, Mark serves as adjunct professor of law at Tulane Law School, where he teaches business reorganizations, and writes and speaks frequently on a wide range of bankruptcy and restructuring topics.
Joseph R. Moore
Attorney
E. Orum Young Law, LLC
http://www.eorumyoung.com
Joseph R. Moore is a partner with E. Orum Young Law, LLC, where he has represented consumer debtors in bankruptcy and litigation since 2012. In 2025 he was appointed as a Subchapter V Trustee for Region 5. He received his J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 2011.
Attorney
E. Orum Young Law, LLC
http://www.eorumyoung.com
Joseph R. Moore is a partner with E. Orum Young Law, LLC, where he has represented consumer debtors in bankruptcy and litigation since 2012. In 2025 he was appointed as a Subchapter V Trustee for Region 5. He received his J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 2011.
Dwayne M. Murray
Chapter 7 Trustee
Murray & Murray
http://www.murraylaw.net
Dwayne M. Murray is a Past President and CEO of the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees and the Managing Member in the Baton Rouge Law Firm of Murray & Murray, LLC. He holds the bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the Juris Doctorate from the Southern University Law Center. He has served as a Chapter 7 Panel Trustee since 1993 for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Louisiana. He has been appointed Chapter 11 Trustee, Liquidating Trustee and as Special Master in state court. He is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, United States District Courts for the Middle, Eastern and Western Districts of Louisiana. Murray is affiliated with the Turnaround Management Association, American Bankruptcy Institute, National Bar Association, Louisiana State Bar Association, and the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees.
Chapter 7 Trustee
Murray & Murray
http://www.murraylaw.net
Dwayne M. Murray is a Past President and CEO of the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees and the Managing Member in the Baton Rouge Law Firm of Murray & Murray, LLC. He holds the bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the Juris Doctorate from the Southern University Law Center. He has served as a Chapter 7 Panel Trustee since 1993 for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Louisiana. He has been appointed Chapter 11 Trustee, Liquidating Trustee and as Special Master in state court. He is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, United States District Courts for the Middle, Eastern and Western Districts of Louisiana. Murray is affiliated with the Turnaround Management Association, American Bankruptcy Institute, National Bar Association, Louisiana State Bar Association, and the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees.
Kelli Norfleet
Partner
Haynes Boone
Kelli Norfleet is a Partner and Chair of the Restructuring Practice Group at Haynes and Boone, LLP. Kelli represents clients in connection with business bankruptcy and insolvency law and related litigation, financings, dispositions, and other restructuring transactions. She has represented a variety of stakeholders in some of the largest recent Chapter 11 cases, including cases filed by McDermott International, Zachry Industrial, and Saks Global Enterprises. She is also active in professional organizations, recently serving as Co-Chair of the American Bankruptcy Institute’s Secured Credit Committee and holding leadership positions with the International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation (Houston Chapter) and the Bankruptcy Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. Kelli has been recognized by Chambers USA and The Best Lawyers in America and was recently inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy.
Partner
Haynes Boone
Kelli Norfleet is a Partner and Chair of the Restructuring Practice Group at Haynes and Boone, LLP. Kelli represents clients in connection with business bankruptcy and insolvency law and related litigation, financings, dispositions, and other restructuring transactions. She has represented a variety of stakeholders in some of the largest recent Chapter 11 cases, including cases filed by McDermott International, Zachry Industrial, and Saks Global Enterprises. She is also active in professional organizations, recently serving as Co-Chair of the American Bankruptcy Institute’s Secured Credit Committee and holding leadership positions with the International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation (Houston Chapter) and the Bankruptcy Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. Kelli has been recognized by Chambers USA and The Best Lawyers in America and was recently inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy.
Samantha A. Oppenheim
Partner
Jones Walker LLP
Samantha Oppenheim, a partner in Jones Walker’s New Orleans office on the Bankruptcy & Restructuring Team, focuses her practice on Chapter 11 reorganizations. She represents a broad range of constituencies, including debtors, official and ad hoc committees, secured and unsecured creditors, and purchasers. She also represents clients in commercial disputes outside the bankruptcy context and has experience in federal appellate practice.
Samantha is an active member of the New Orleans Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, where she has served on the Board of Directors of the Younger Lawyers Division since 2023. In recognition of her contributions to the bankruptcy and restructuring profession, she was selected to participate in the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges’ Annual Next Generation (NextGen) Program, a leadership program for rising bankruptcy practitioners nationwide. She is also the Newsletter Editor of the American Bankruptcy Institute’s Commercial Fraud Committee.
Prior to joining Jones Walker, Samantha clerked for the Honorable Martin L.C. Feldman of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. She earned her J.D. from Tulane University Law School, where she was a notes and comments editor of the Tulane Law Review.
Partner
Jones Walker LLP
Samantha Oppenheim, a partner in Jones Walker’s New Orleans office on the Bankruptcy & Restructuring Team, focuses her practice on Chapter 11 reorganizations. She represents a broad range of constituencies, including debtors, official and ad hoc committees, secured and unsecured creditors, and purchasers. She also represents clients in commercial disputes outside the bankruptcy context and has experience in federal appellate practice.
Samantha is an active member of the New Orleans Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, where she has served on the Board of Directors of the Younger Lawyers Division since 2023. In recognition of her contributions to the bankruptcy and restructuring profession, she was selected to participate in the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges’ Annual Next Generation (NextGen) Program, a leadership program for rising bankruptcy practitioners nationwide. She is also the Newsletter Editor of the American Bankruptcy Institute’s Commercial Fraud Committee.
Prior to joining Jones Walker, Samantha clerked for the Honorable Martin L.C. Feldman of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. She earned her J.D. from Tulane University Law School, where she was a notes and comments editor of the Tulane Law Review.
Kevin J. Payne
Rogers, Carter & Payne, LLC
Kevin J. Payne received his BBA from Baylor University (1999) and his JD/BCL from LSU (2003). He is a partner in the firm of Rogers, Carter & Payne, LLC.
Rogers, Carter & Payne, LLC
Kevin J. Payne received his BBA from Baylor University (1999) and his JD/BCL from LSU (2003). He is a partner in the firm of Rogers, Carter & Payne, LLC.
Louis M. Phillips
Partner
Kelly Hart & Pitre
https://kellyhart.com/
Louis M. Phillips is a partner at Kelly Hart & Pitre and leader of the firm's Bankruptcy & Business Reorg. practice. Mr. Phillips provides legal representation and consultation for debtors, creditors, and trustees over a broad practice area, including transaction and business structuring and restructuring, bankruptcy reorganization, and bankruptcy and commercial litigation. He also handles civil cases in state and federal courts and has handled matters before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Mr. Phillips represents debtors, debtors-in-possession, and creditors in Chapter 11 cases, borrowers and lenders in loan restructuring and workouts, and entities of all types in all practice areas of bankruptcy cases and proceedings.
Mr. Phillips has taught educational programs on bankruptcy law for state judges, and was an Adjunct Professor of Law at LSU Law School from 1988 through 2019. Phillips was formerly a contributing editor to the Norton Bankruptcy Law and Practice 2nd and is the author of numerous articles for law reviews and other periodicals. Mr. Phillips is a frequent speaker and writer for legal education seminars across the country, including the Advanced Bankruptcy Course of the State Bar of Texas, Western District of Texas Bankruptcy Bench Bar; LSU Annual Bankruptcy Law Seminar, LSU Family Law and Recent Developments in Law Jurisprudence Seminars, and seminars sponsored by such esteemed groups as Stetson University College of Law, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, Texas Tech School of Law, Norton Institutes on Bankruptcy Law, American Bankruptcy Institute, National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees, National Association of Chapter 13 Trustees, Rocky Mountain Bankruptcy Symposium Law Education Institute, 5th Circuit Bench-Bar Bankruptcy Conference, Mississippi Bankruptcy Conference, Bankruptcy Law Institute, MidSouth Commercial Law Institute, the Annual Oil & Gas Law Conference, and the American Bar Association as well as numerous federal district bar associations and those of and in the states of Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin. Among his many other speaking engagements are lectures to the National Association of Attorneys General, Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, and VISA International.
From 1988 - 2002, Mr. Phillips served as the Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Middle District of Louisiana. During his tenure, he authored numerous opinions of first impression of Louisiana state law and bankruptcy law, and was the author of a number of opinions that ultimately were adopted by the Fifth Circuit and other courts as the law of those courts (i.e., Matter of Mercer, 246 F.3d 391 (5th Cir.2001) involving credit card fraud cases under section 523(a)(2) and Matter of Orso, 283 F.3d 686 (5th Cir. 2002) (wherein the Court reversed the panel and prior jurisprudence concerning the Louisiana law exemption over structured settlement annuities).
Mr. Phillips presided over the first conversion to a totally electronic filing and docketing system within the Federal Courts of the United States.
Partner
Kelly Hart & Pitre
https://kellyhart.com/
Louis M. Phillips is a partner at Kelly Hart & Pitre and leader of the firm's Bankruptcy & Business Reorg. practice. Mr. Phillips provides legal representation and consultation for debtors, creditors, and trustees over a broad practice area, including transaction and business structuring and restructuring, bankruptcy reorganization, and bankruptcy and commercial litigation. He also handles civil cases in state and federal courts and has handled matters before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Mr. Phillips represents debtors, debtors-in-possession, and creditors in Chapter 11 cases, borrowers and lenders in loan restructuring and workouts, and entities of all types in all practice areas of bankruptcy cases and proceedings.
Mr. Phillips has taught educational programs on bankruptcy law for state judges, and was an Adjunct Professor of Law at LSU Law School from 1988 through 2019. Phillips was formerly a contributing editor to the Norton Bankruptcy Law and Practice 2nd and is the author of numerous articles for law reviews and other periodicals. Mr. Phillips is a frequent speaker and writer for legal education seminars across the country, including the Advanced Bankruptcy Course of the State Bar of Texas, Western District of Texas Bankruptcy Bench Bar; LSU Annual Bankruptcy Law Seminar, LSU Family Law and Recent Developments in Law Jurisprudence Seminars, and seminars sponsored by such esteemed groups as Stetson University College of Law, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, Texas Tech School of Law, Norton Institutes on Bankruptcy Law, American Bankruptcy Institute, National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees, National Association of Chapter 13 Trustees, Rocky Mountain Bankruptcy Symposium Law Education Institute, 5th Circuit Bench-Bar Bankruptcy Conference, Mississippi Bankruptcy Conference, Bankruptcy Law Institute, MidSouth Commercial Law Institute, the Annual Oil & Gas Law Conference, and the American Bar Association as well as numerous federal district bar associations and those of and in the states of Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin. Among his many other speaking engagements are lectures to the National Association of Attorneys General, Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, and VISA International.
From 1988 - 2002, Mr. Phillips served as the Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Middle District of Louisiana. During his tenure, he authored numerous opinions of first impression of Louisiana state law and bankruptcy law, and was the author of a number of opinions that ultimately were adopted by the Fifth Circuit and other courts as the law of those courts (i.e., Matter of Mercer, 246 F.3d 391 (5th Cir.2001) involving credit card fraud cases under section 523(a)(2) and Matter of Orso, 283 F.3d 686 (5th Cir. 2002) (wherein the Court reversed the panel and prior jurisprudence concerning the Louisiana law exemption over structured settlement annuities).
Mr. Phillips presided over the first conversion to a totally electronic filing and docketing system within the Federal Courts of the United States.
Bill J. Rochelle III
American Bankruptcy Institute
Bill Rochelle joined the American Bankruptcy Institute in 2015 as its Editor-at-Large, writing every day on developments in consumer and reorganization law. For the prior nine years, he was the bankruptcy columnist for Bloomberg News.
Bill got his undergraduate and law degrees from Columbia University, where he received Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar awards from the law school. Before turning to journalism, he practiced bankruptcy law for 35 years, including 17 years as a partner in the New York office of Fulbright & Jaworski LLP.
In addition to writing, Bill travels the country for ABI, speaking to bar groups and professional organizations on hot topics in the turnaround community and trends in consumer bankruptcies.
American Bankruptcy Institute
Bill Rochelle joined the American Bankruptcy Institute in 2015 as its Editor-at-Large, writing every day on developments in consumer and reorganization law. For the prior nine years, he was the bankruptcy columnist for Bloomberg News.
Bill got his undergraduate and law degrees from Columbia University, where he received Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar awards from the law school. Before turning to journalism, he practiced bankruptcy law for 35 years, including 17 years as a partner in the New York office of Fulbright & Jaworski LLP.
In addition to writing, Bill travels the country for ABI, speaking to bar groups and professional organizations on hot topics in the turnaround community and trends in consumer bankruptcies.
Michael D. Rubenstein
Shareholder
Liskow & Lewis
Michael Rubenstein is a bankruptcy practitioner with a diverse commercial practice. He handles bankruptcies, restructurings, and reorganizations, as well as complex business litigation and criminal law.
With a reputation for efficiency and effectiveness, his bankruptcy practice is largely devoted to the representation of creditors, often in the energy sector, in complex reorganizations throughout the U.S.
Michael also routinely handles the defense of preference litigation in some of the largest bankruptcy cases in the U.S. and is certified in the area of business bankruptcy law by the American Board of Certification. “Liskow’s depth of bankruptcy and courtroom experience is truly an asset for every client that hires us in these areas,” Michael notes.
Major financial institutions throughout Texas and Louisiana regularly seek Michael’s guidance. In addition, he has extensive experience in general business litigation and government enforcement proceedings, and has managed complex, large and difficult electronic discovery projects in both criminal and civil cases.
Michael served as a member of the firm’s Board of Directors. He has also served on the firm’s compensation, technology, library, medical, and office administration committees. He was a law clerk to the Honorable Edith Brown Clement, Judge, United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana from1993–1995.
Shareholder
Liskow & Lewis
Michael Rubenstein is a bankruptcy practitioner with a diverse commercial practice. He handles bankruptcies, restructurings, and reorganizations, as well as complex business litigation and criminal law.
With a reputation for efficiency and effectiveness, his bankruptcy practice is largely devoted to the representation of creditors, often in the energy sector, in complex reorganizations throughout the U.S.
Michael also routinely handles the defense of preference litigation in some of the largest bankruptcy cases in the U.S. and is certified in the area of business bankruptcy law by the American Board of Certification. “Liskow’s depth of bankruptcy and courtroom experience is truly an asset for every client that hires us in these areas,” Michael notes.
Major financial institutions throughout Texas and Louisiana regularly seek Michael’s guidance. In addition, he has extensive experience in general business litigation and government enforcement proceedings, and has managed complex, large and difficult electronic discovery projects in both criminal and civil cases.
Michael served as a member of the firm’s Board of Directors. He has also served on the firm’s compensation, technology, library, medical, and office administration committees. He was a law clerk to the Honorable Edith Brown Clement, Judge, United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana from1993–1995.
Hon. Robert R. Summerhays
United States District Judge
US District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
Judge Robert Summerhays was appointed to the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana in September 2018. Prior to his district court appointment, Judge Summerhays served as a United States Bankruptcy Judge in the Western District of Louisiana for 12 years, 7 years of which he served as Chief Bankruptcy Judge. As a bankruptcy judge, Judge Summerhays presided over a number of significant corporate restructurings, such as Piccadilly Cafeterias, Gulf Fleet Holdings, Saratoga Resources/Harvest Oil, American International Petroleum, the Louisiana subsidiary of German Pellets AG, and Progressive Acute Care. He has also mediated complex energy, maritime, and healthcare bankruptcy cases.
Prior to his service as a bankruptcy judge, Judge Summerhays was a partner in the law firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, where his primary practice area was federal court litigation. Judge Summerhays served as a law clerk for Judge W. Eugene Davis (U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit) in Lafayette from 1994 to 1995. Judge Summerhays received his law degree in 1994 from The University of Texas at Austin, where he was an Associate Editor of the Texas Law Review.
United States District Judge
US District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
Judge Robert Summerhays was appointed to the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana in September 2018. Prior to his district court appointment, Judge Summerhays served as a United States Bankruptcy Judge in the Western District of Louisiana for 12 years, 7 years of which he served as Chief Bankruptcy Judge. As a bankruptcy judge, Judge Summerhays presided over a number of significant corporate restructurings, such as Piccadilly Cafeterias, Gulf Fleet Holdings, Saratoga Resources/Harvest Oil, American International Petroleum, the Louisiana subsidiary of German Pellets AG, and Progressive Acute Care. He has also mediated complex energy, maritime, and healthcare bankruptcy cases.
Prior to his service as a bankruptcy judge, Judge Summerhays was a partner in the law firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, where his primary practice area was federal court litigation. Judge Summerhays served as a law clerk for Judge W. Eugene Davis (U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit) in Lafayette from 1994 to 1995. Judge Summerhays received his law degree in 1994 from The University of Texas at Austin, where he was an Associate Editor of the Texas Law Review.
David F. Waguespack
Attorney
Carver, Darden, Koretzky, Tessier, Finn, Blossman & Areaux, LLC
David F. Waguespack is managing partner of Carver Darden. He has represented lenders, debtors, creditor committees, investors, officers and directors, and other parties in complex Chapter 11 cases and related litigation and has served as a Chapter 11 trustee. Mr. Waguespack is recognized for his work in bankruptcy and restructuring in Best Lawyers, Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (Tier 1), Louisiana Super Lawyers (Top 50) , and the Legal 500. He is board certified in business bankruptcy by the American Board of Certification and by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization. He has chaired several subcommittees of the Business Bankruptcy Committee of the American Bar Association, including Courts and Administration, Corporate Governance, Limited Liability Companies, and Alternative Dispute Resolution. Mr. Waguespack served as an adjunct professor of business law at Tulane University for 20 years. Mr. Waguespack graduated from Rhodes College in 1988 with the John Henry Davis Award for the outstanding History major and from Tulane University Law School in 1991 as an Associate Editor of the Tulane Law Review and member of the Order of the Coif.
Attorney
Carver, Darden, Koretzky, Tessier, Finn, Blossman & Areaux, LLC
David F. Waguespack is managing partner of Carver Darden. He has represented lenders, debtors, creditor committees, investors, officers and directors, and other parties in complex Chapter 11 cases and related litigation and has served as a Chapter 11 trustee. Mr. Waguespack is recognized for his work in bankruptcy and restructuring in Best Lawyers, Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (Tier 1), Louisiana Super Lawyers (Top 50) , and the Legal 500. He is board certified in business bankruptcy by the American Board of Certification and by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization. He has chaired several subcommittees of the Business Bankruptcy Committee of the American Bar Association, including Courts and Administration, Corporate Governance, Limited Liability Companies, and Alternative Dispute Resolution. Mr. Waguespack served as an adjunct professor of business law at Tulane University for 20 years. Mr. Waguespack graduated from Rhodes College in 1988 with the John Henry Davis Award for the outstanding History major and from Tulane University Law School in 1991 as an Associate Editor of the Tulane Law Review and member of the Order of the Coif.
Hon. Stephen D. Wheelis
Judge
US Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana
http://www.lawb.uscourts.gov
Stephen D. Wheelis was appointed by the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on April 25, 2019 to serve as a Bankruptcy Judge for the U. S. Bankruptcy Court, W. D. of Louisiana at Alexandria and Monroe. Prior to his appointment, he was a shareholder of Wheelis & Rozanski, APLC, in Alexandria for over 20 years and initially practiced as a partner with Provosty, Sadler & deLaunay for 14 years.
His practice included representation of creditors and trustees in all bankruptcy chapters, banking, business & commercial law, litigation & appeals. He actively practiced bankruptcy law throughout all Districts of Louisiana and in many other states, pro hac vice.
He is a Board Certified Business Bankruptcy Specialist, certified by the Louisiana Supreme Court and the American Board of Certification since January 1, 1997. He served from 2011-2019 on the Board of Directors of the American Board of Certification, the Standards and Faculty Committees. He has been a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute for more than 20 years. He served as a member of the LSBA Bankruptcy Law Advisory Commission, 1995 - 1998 and 2018-2019, and chaired the LSBA Board of Legal Specialization from 2009-2010. He served as an Assistant Bar Examiner for Code III from 2005-2019 and held memberships in the Louisiana Bankers Association, serving on the Bank Counsel Committee, as well as the Louisiana State, American and Alexandria Bar Associations.
On December 3, 2021, He was appointed to a 3 year term as the 5th Circuit representative on the Bankruptcy Judges Advisory Group for the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. He is currently a member of the Crossroads American Inns of Court, The Judge Jerry A. Brown Louisiana Bankruptcy Inn of Court, the Federal Bar Association, The National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, serving as Chair of the NextGeneration Committee, and an Associate Member of NACTT.
He appeared consecutively in the annual editions of Louisiana Super Lawyers, Business Bankruptcy/Creditor Rights, from 2007-2019. He previously served as an adjunct professor for paralegal studies at Northwestern State University and Louisiana College and taught courses for the American Institute of Banking.
Judge Wheelis received his J.D. Degree in 1985 from Tulane University School of Law and his B.A. in Legal Studies from Northeast Louisiana University (now ULM) in 1981.
Judge
US Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana
http://www.lawb.uscourts.gov
Stephen D. Wheelis was appointed by the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on April 25, 2019 to serve as a Bankruptcy Judge for the U. S. Bankruptcy Court, W. D. of Louisiana at Alexandria and Monroe. Prior to his appointment, he was a shareholder of Wheelis & Rozanski, APLC, in Alexandria for over 20 years and initially practiced as a partner with Provosty, Sadler & deLaunay for 14 years.
His practice included representation of creditors and trustees in all bankruptcy chapters, banking, business & commercial law, litigation & appeals. He actively practiced bankruptcy law throughout all Districts of Louisiana and in many other states, pro hac vice.
He is a Board Certified Business Bankruptcy Specialist, certified by the Louisiana Supreme Court and the American Board of Certification since January 1, 1997. He served from 2011-2019 on the Board of Directors of the American Board of Certification, the Standards and Faculty Committees. He has been a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute for more than 20 years. He served as a member of the LSBA Bankruptcy Law Advisory Commission, 1995 - 1998 and 2018-2019, and chaired the LSBA Board of Legal Specialization from 2009-2010. He served as an Assistant Bar Examiner for Code III from 2005-2019 and held memberships in the Louisiana Bankers Association, serving on the Bank Counsel Committee, as well as the Louisiana State, American and Alexandria Bar Associations.
On December 3, 2021, He was appointed to a 3 year term as the 5th Circuit representative on the Bankruptcy Judges Advisory Group for the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. He is currently a member of the Crossroads American Inns of Court, The Judge Jerry A. Brown Louisiana Bankruptcy Inn of Court, the Federal Bar Association, The National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, serving as Chair of the NextGeneration Committee, and an Associate Member of NACTT.
He appeared consecutively in the annual editions of Louisiana Super Lawyers, Business Bankruptcy/Creditor Rights, from 2007-2019. He previously served as an adjunct professor for paralegal studies at Northwestern State University and Louisiana College and taught courses for the American Institute of Banking.
Judge Wheelis received his J.D. Degree in 1985 from Tulane University School of Law and his B.A. in Legal Studies from Northeast Louisiana University (now ULM) in 1981.
