Carver, Darden, Koretzky, Tessier, Finn, Blossman & Areaux LLC

Managing Member: Robert S. Stassi
Members: M Taylor Darden, Frank A Tessier, William T Finn, Roy E Blossman, Raymond G Areaux, John A Dunlap, David F Waguespack, Robert S Stassi, Matthew C Hoffman, Brian W Hoffman, Robert S Rushing, Mathew J Fantaci, Francis J Lobrano, Russell L Foster, David S Landry, Emily L. Gummer
Number of partners: 11
Number of other lawyers: 15

Firm Overview:
Cost-effective practice by distinguished, experienced counsel in traditional practice areas has been the firm’s foundation since it began in New Orleans in 1994. The firm has a noted expertise in all aspects of a financing and transactions practice, from real estate acquisition, development and leasing, to traditional banking finance and documentation as well as equipment leasing and finance. Ongoing commercial banking practice for the firm’s financial institution clients, including creditor’s rights and bankruptcy, foreclosure and deposit account litigation is a traditional strength of the firm. The firm has a prominent oil and gas development and environmental litigation practice, as well as a regionally prominent patent and intellectual property and labor and employment practice.

Main Areas of Practice:  

Banking, Finance, Bankruptcy & Creditor’s Rights:
Advice and counsel is provided in connection with financing transactions, loan agreements, participation and syndication agreements, security devices, UCC transactions, debt enforcement, workouts, debtor and creditor rights, lender liability defense, asset acquisition and disposition, banking and lending, bankruptcy law, equip ment leasing and financing, insurance, international trade, letters of credit, liens and privileges, bond s, negotiable instruments and mortgage banking, underwriting and correspondent agreements.
Representative clients include: Whitney Bank, Regions Bank, Iberia Bank, Capital One, NA

Business & Corporate:
Advice and counsel is provided in connection with capital formation, charitable foundations, corporate or partnership formation and structuring, director and officer responsibility, shareholder rights, takeovers, acquisitions and divestitures, mergers, asset transfers, stock transfers and associated intellectual property issues.
Representative clients include: Latter & Blum, Inc., Refreshment Solutions, LLC, Hoist & Crane Service Group, Inc.

Commercial Litigation:
The firm provides advice, counsel and representation to large multinational corporations, local and regional com panies and prominent individuals in litigation, regulatory matters and dispute resolution proceedings. The firm tailors objectives and strategies for each client, large or small, with an emphasis on achieving its goals, cost-effectively, in a wide variety of commercial areas, including all of the firm’s practice areas.
Representative clients include: BOPCO, Regions Bank, CenturyLink

Construction:
Advice and counsel is provided to contractors, subcontractors, owners, lenders and design professionals on private and public construction projects. From conception to completion, the firm assists clients in matters such as negotiating and drafting construction contracts to appropriately allocate risks and help clients avoid costly disputes as projects progress.

Energy & Natural Resources:
Provide advice and counsel to E&P companies regarding mineral and surface leases, drilling contracts, joint operating agreements, mineral storage, the acquisition and divestiture of producing properties, regulatory matters before the BOEM, litigation of complex property and environmental claims arising out of well blowouts and other operational accidents. In addition, the firm provides advice and counsel on a wide range of alternative and clean energy projects, including solar, biocropping, pelletization, and wind farming, and the ancillary environmental issues related to such activities.
Representative clients include: Clovelly Oil Company, Talos Energy, SunChase Power

Land Management:
Provide advice and counsel to landowners regarding mineral rights, leases and servitudes, land and royalty management, mitigation banking, royalty and title disputes, alternative and renewable energy projects and leasing, and environmental and remediation, as well as litigation related to these activities.
Representative clients include: Williams Land Company, LLC, Jeanerette Lumber & Shingle, LLC, The Louisiana Landowners Association

Insurance Coverage:
Advice and counsel is provided in the interpretation of insurance coverage issues, including responses to reserva tion of rights and denial of coverage letters from insurers. The firm also defends insurer led declaratory judgment coverage actions, and prosecutes breach of contract and bad faith actions against insurers who have wrongfully denied coverage to their policyholders.
Representative clients include: Denbury Resources Inc., HRG Group, Inc., Interior Exterior Building Supply, LP, Mitchell

Intellectual Property:
Advice and counsel is provided in the areas of patent, trademark, copyright, trade secrets, unfair competition, and franchising. Services include litigating infringement, licensing and franchise disputes; preparing and prosecuting patent, trademark and copyright applications; rendering opinions on validity and enforceability of patents, trademarks and other IP assets; negotiating licensing, so ware, technology, patent, trademark, publishing and other intellectual property based agreements; and serving as a mediator or arbitrator for patent, trademark, copyright, franchise or technology disputes.
Representative clients include: Princeton University, Tulane University, Abita Brewing Company

Labor & Employment:
In addition to litigating employment claims brought against management, they provide advice and counsel regarding compliance with state and federal employment laws and regulations, personnel practices, policies and handbooks, supervisor training, employment contracts, labor arbitra tion, strikes, wage and hour issues, workplace tort claims, and health and safety in the workplace.
Representative clients include: Albemarle Corporation, Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots, the Parish of St Charles

Real Estate:
The firm represents developers, land owners, real estate brokers, tenants and other end-users in the acquisition, construction, lease, sale and development of property in a myriad of real estate transactions, including expropriation, condemnation and trespass claims. The firm guides clients through the negotiation, financing, title insurance, purchase and title of any real estate project the client may have.
Representative clients include: Rathborne Land Co., Levert Land