John joined the firm in 1984 and is the managing member. He represents clients in general and commercial litigation and transactions and advises clients with respect to litigation strategy in construction, industry and business matters.
John has particular experience in cases involving architectural and design issues, construction defects, and large-scale property damage.
He also has extensive experience representing international, national and local landowners, timber companies, developers, investors and lenders in small and multi-million dollar acquisitions, sales, leases and financings (involving timberlands, industrial plant sites, retail subdivision developments, residential developments, hotels and restaurants).
Areas of Practice
Commercial Transactions
Commercial Litigation
Construction Litigation
Casualty Litigation
Representative Experience
Lead counsel overseeing the issuance of title policies for more than 750,000 acres of timberland and four timber mills at a value in excess of $1billion. The resulting timberland sale is reported to be among the largest, if not the largest, in the history of the United States. The firm coordinated the ten parish (county) title research and issued title commitments in less than four months with the use of its own copyrighted, web-based database. Although the database was created specifically for the project, it was designed to handle any other project of larger or smaller proportions Successful representation at trial and through settlement negotiations of an offshore supply boat company in brown water maritime litigation Successful representation at trial and through settlement negotiations of architects and designers throughout the State of Louisiana Successful representation at trial and through settlement negotiations of an industrial equipment manufacturer (drilling and work-over rigs; compressors, etc.) throughout the State of Louisiana
Successful defense of major oil companies in various lawsuits involving claims of millions of dollars in damages to coastal wetlands in Terrebonne and Cameron Parishes
Lead counsel to a national timber company in the acquisition of several thousand acres of timberland in North Louisiana
Counsel to national, regional and local commercial developers of hotels, retail centers, retail stores, restaurants, theaters, apartment complexes, residential and office park subdivisions
Education
Université de Paul Valèry, Certificat, Montpellier, France 1980
CODOFIL Scholarship
McNeese State University, B.A., Lake Charles 1981
Tulane Law School, Juris Doctor, with honors, New Orleans, 1984
BNA Award for Academic Excellence
Admissions
All Louisiana state and federal courts
Professional Associations and Memberships
Lake Charles, Louisiana State and American Bar Associations
Board Member, Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel
Defense Research Institute
Louisiana Bar Foundation
American Bar Association
Bar Association of the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
Louisiana Land Title Association
Professional and Community Service
Louisiana Attorneys Disciplinary Board, Tier 2 Hearing Committee Member (2009); Tier 1 Hearing Committee Chairman (2010-present)
Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, Board of Directors (2004-2005)
Chamber of Commerce/Southwest Louisiana, Director (2009-present); SEED Center Nominating Committee (2010); Legal Counsel (2011-present)
Delegate and Committee Member, Young Lawyers Section, Louisiana Bar Association, 1985-1986
Past Lecturer, McNeese State University Paralegal Studies Program
Volunteer Instructor, Area Notarial Courses
St Louis Catholic High School Capital Campaign Finance Committee, Chairman
St Louis Catholic High School Foundation Board (1995- present), Executive Committee (Vice Chairman 2000-2003)
Immaculate Conception Catholic School Board (1985-1988; 2007-2009), Chairman (1988)
St Louis Catholic High School Finance Committee (2001-2003)
St Louis Catholic High School Curriculum Committee (1999)
Immaculate Conception Catholic School Curriculum Committee (2007-2009)
Lake Charles Soccer Association, Coach
Numerous Local Charities
Lector, Immaculate Conception Cathedral
Past Board Member, Our Lady Queen of Heaven Family Life Center
Member, Past Board Member. Lake Area Runners
Founding Member, Board Member, Lake Charles Triathletes
Member, Jolly Roger Cycling Club
Born: Lake Charles, Louisiana, March 22, 1958 |
