- DivorceRepresenting a successor trustee in an action to remove the original trustee who was in the middle of a contested divorce with the trust beneficiary’s daughter;
- Criminal DefenseThe Association of the Bar of the City of New York; Louisiana State and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Texas; National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
- Sex CrimesRoy added that the Saints sparked a heightened interest in their operations and ownership after a Catholic clergy abuse lawsuit revealed over the last year that club executives gave public relations advice to the Archdiocese of New Orleans as the church sought to manage a clergy molestation scandal.
- FraudRepresentation of numerous businessmen facing charges of securities fraud, mail and wire fraud, bribery, tax violations, money laundering, structuring financial transactions, harboring illegal aliens, conspiracy and racketeering (RICO) in various stages of federal cases, including grand jury testimony, plea negotiations, trial, and appeal;
- White Collar CrimesIn addition to his practice, Mr. Smith has been active in numerous bar organizations and has been an Adjunct Professor of Law at Loyola University’s School of Law for some thirty (30) years, teaching courses on business litigation and white collar crime every year, in addition to lecturing at many seminars locally and nationally, particularly in the area of eminent domain. Mr. Smith was also selected as the sole Louisiana member of the Owners’ Counsel of America, a national association of experienced property rights and eminent domain attorneys, and served recently as its Chair for two (2) years.
- MurderMike Fawer is Bronx born but a longtime New Orleans criminal defense attorney. He is a graduate of Cornell University and Columbia Law School. His career has spanned a 60 year period, trying cases in New York, Washington, D.C., Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Nevada and of course Louisiana. He has probably tried more high profile criminal cases than any other Louisiana attorney: murder cases (Aaron Mintz, William Johnson, Curtis Kyles), political corruption cases (Edwin Edwards, Charles Roemer, Chief Judge Walter Nixon), blatant government misconduct (Douglas DiLosa, Curtis Kyles, David Mark), and unique cases including attempted murder by injection of the HIV virus (Dr. Richard Schmidt of Lafayette). He has argued over 25 cases at the appellate level, securing reversals of conviction in at least half and has argued before the Supreme Court of the United States.
- Money LaunderingRepresentation of individuals and corporations charged with money laundering, structuring financial transactions, harboring illegal aliens, and environmental crimes in various cases.
- Corporate LawWhen individuals come together to forward a common commercial goal, they often fail to consider what will happen in the event that their interests are not always in harmony. Long time friends and family become crosswise. This can result in protracted litigation of the most contentious kind. Complex issues of corporate law, contract law, civil procedure, and even family law, can arise. A willingness to pursue creative attempts at compromise, as well as the steeled will to relentlessly fight through the court system, become necessary. At Smith & Fawer, our attorneys are seasoned in all types of corporate, limited liability company, and partnership disputes, and that savvy gives them a particular advantage in so-called “business divorces.” Likewise, whether a commercial dispute consists of a suit over a promissory note, a lease dispute, or a claim for breach of contract, the lawyers at Smith & Fawer bring years of expertise to defend their client’s interests.
- Business DisputesBuilding on this foundation, Lynnette has enjoyed the intellectual challenges of working on a wide variety of cases at Smith & Fawer, including complex commercial litigation, contract disputes, and eminent domain claims. In her capacity as “of counsel,” she focuses on the research and writing aspects of litigation, striving to present clients’ positions in briefs and memoranda clearly and persuasively.
- Intellectual PropertyDylan’s primary practice areas include business litigation, professional liability litigation, and construction defect litigation. He also has experience in catastrophic injury litigation, complex insurance litigation, intellectual property litigation, and maritime litigation.
- Unfair Competition
- Workers CompensationSonya Roberts joined Smith & Fawer, LLC as a Paralegal in 2020. She has over 25 years in experience in various practice areas including Personal Injury, Workers Compensation, Maritime, Bankruptcy, Construction Defect, Product Liability, Toxic Tort and Notarial Law.
- Employment LitigationReagan Reynolds Wilty is an associate attorney with Smith & Fawer, LLC. She has recently rejoined the firm in 2022 but originally began her law career with Smith & Fawer in 2013. Her practice primarily focuses on complex commercial litigation, partnership dispute litigation, and general civil litigation. She also has experience in civil rights litigation, succession litigation, criminal law, corporate transactions and formations, insurance coverage and defense litigation, plaintiff personal injury, labor and employment litigation, eminent domain, securities litigation and arbitration, and community property litigation. Reagan has experience litigating in federal and state courts, AAA, private arbitration and FINRA arbitration. She also has broad appellate experience.
- Severance Agreement
- Construction LitigationHe enjoys both the policy and procedure of the law. He has litigated a great variety of disputes in multiple forums throughout his almost thirty years of practicing law, including such diverse issues as internal business disputes, injuries to person and property, construction defect, campaign challenges and intellectual property. He has also consulted with multiple clients regarding legislation, public policy, campaigns, and public interest organizations.
- Eminent DomainRandall A. Smith, managing partner of Smith & Fawer, L.L.C., for the past 25 years, is a veteran trial lawyer who has handled a variety of complex litigation, including takings/ eminent domain matters for business and property owners. He is the sole Louisiana representative and past chair of the Owners’ Counsel of America, a national organization of property rights’ attorneys. He has served as an adjunct professor of law at Loyola University College of Law for nearly 30 years. He is a graduate of Yale Law School. (rasmith@smithfawer.com; Ste. 3702, 201 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70170-3702)
- Land Use and Zoning
- Property DamageMcDonald has an active trial and appellate practice both in federal and state courts and has managed several cases for trial both as primary and secondary counsel. He has taken and defended numerous depositions of fact and expert witnesses. He defends claims asserted against public entities, businesses, and their insurers, including claims based on alleged civil rights violations and employment practices, as well as personal injury and property damage claims arising out of automobile, business premises, construction, environmental, and industrial accidents.
- Personal InjuryJust after the Supreme Court rendered its decision in Knick, Violet Dock Port filed a Section 1983 claim in the federal district court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, seeking just compensation in the amount of the final state court award. Violet Dock Port averred that St. Bernard Port’s failure to pay was a continuing violation of Violet Dock Port’s right to payment of just compensation that, pursuant to Knick, is viable and properly brought in federal court. St. Bernard Port filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that Knick did not support the filing of a Section 1983 action to enforce a state court judgment, likening the just compensation judgment to personal injury judgments that are typically not enforced in federal court. The district court agreed with St. Bernard Port and dismissed Violet Dock Port’s complaint with prejudice, explaining that it “recognize[d] that if Knicks [sic] had been issued before the expropriation of plaintiff’s property, plaintiff could have proceeded directly to federal court. Nevertheless, Knick does not convert § 1983 into a tool for collecting payment due on state court judgments that issued prior to initiation of the federal action.” Violet Dock Port v. St. Bernard Port, 19-CV-11586 (E.D. La. Nov. 23, 2019), 2019 WL 6307945.
- Medical MalpracticePrior to joining the Firm, Michelle worked in different practice areas, including insurance defense, medical malpractice, estate planning, and domestic relations.
- Estate Planning
- WillsThe Louisiana Supreme Court this week dismissed a legal attack on the last will and testament that auto dealership mogul Ray Brandt signed weeks before his death in 2019, stalling his widow, Jessica Brandt, in her fight for control of his massive estate.
- Bankruptcy