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News & Insights
January 17, 2024

Robert Murphy now affiliated with Perry Dampf

Bob Murphy has joined the Perry Dampf mediation and arbitration panels. He attended Harvard Law School’s Negotiation Institute where he successfully completed the Mediating Disputes Program. His primary litigation focus has been as an admiralty and maritime lawyer, but additionally he has handled commercial cases, gaming industry issues, insurance coverage disputes, and personal injury claims.

News & Insights
December 20, 2023

Charlotte Meade joins Perry Dampf

Charlotte Meade recently decided on a career move to full-time mediator with Perry Dampf. In 2023, she completed the Mediating the Litigated Case™ certification program at Pepperdine University School of Law’s Status Institute. The program reinforced what Charlotte already knew, that she is passionate about dispute resolution and looks forward to serving the legal community as a neutral.

News & Insights
November 27, 2023

Commercial Cases and Construction Cases by Daniel Lund III

Arbitrator and mediator with Perry Dampf, Dan Lund opens his Commercial article noting a $285M adverse award: “If there is one bedrock rule in the law of arbitration, it is that a federal court can vacate an arbitral award only in exceptional circumstances. … The presumption against vacatur applies with even greater force when a federal court reviews an award rendered during an international arbitration.” Click below to read more on each of these interesting articles on the topic of arbitration.

News & Insights
November 29, 2023

Jay Dardenne Affiliated with Perry Dampf Again

Jay Dardenne has enjoyed a distinguished blended career as an attorney and public servant. After serving eight years as the Commissioner of Administration, Jay Dardenne will resume mediating with Perry Dampf. As a former mediator with the group, Jay conducted nearly 100 mediations in areas including successions, construction law, family law, class action, insurance, and general civil cases.

News & Insights
October 17, 2023

Newest mediator announced: Reneé Chabert Crasto

Reneé currently practices at Walters, Thomas, Cullens with a focus on large, complex wrongful death and catastrophic burn cases, as well as other personal injury cases. She trained at The Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School, completing the Harvard Mediation Intensive program earlier this year. She is serving as a court appointed mediator for the Hurricane Ida Claims in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana.

News & Insights
September 13, 2023

Vince Fornias Publishes Again

Vincent Fornias has redirected his focus to lawyers who engage as advocates in mediations publishing Advocacy in Mediations: Don’t Look Down, Look Around. In this book, the author shares decades of experience in mediation to provide practical insights and advice for not only novice advocates, but even to seasoned mediation participants. For more information, click here.

News & Insights
August 30, 2023

Coleman Ridley, Jr., Welcomed to the Team

Coleman Ridley is a mediator with a wealth of experience as a litigator and public policy professional. Mr. Ridley’s two decades of advocating for a diverse range of clients across sectors and industries have honed his ability to resolve disputes without damaging relationships. Additionally, his community service and leadership further highlight his expertise in navigating contentious situations and fostering positive outcomes.

News & Insights
August 16, 2023

Mary Anne Wolf now affiliated with Perry Dampf

Mary Anne Wolf is an engineer, attorney, arbitrator, and mediator. She received her mediation training at the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University. She received arbitration training and has arbitrated cases since 2019. As a litigator for almost 20 years, she has facilitated many mediations and other early dispute resolution negotiations in construction and other complex cases.

News & Insights
July 31, 2023

Perry Dampf adds Eric Nowak to Panel

Eric Nowak joins Perry Dampf after 25 years of advocacy for families and businesses throughout Louisiana and the Gulf South. He has proudly represented everyday people in injury and contract cases, entrepreneurial companies, and national and international companies looking for solutions to big problems. He brings a resume of experience, hard work, and compassion to every mediation.

News & Insights
July 28, 2023

Lance B. Williams, Newest Mediator & Arbitrator Addition

Lance Williams will be handling both mediations and arbitrations at Perry Dampf. He is an “AV” rated trial lawyer, whose areas of practice include defending product liability, mass tort, professional malpractice, construction, trucking, toxic tort and insurance defense litigation. He has unique experience from having tried cases for both plaintiffs and defendants throughout Louisiana and other jurisdictions.

News & Insights
June 19, 2023

Joseph Giarrusso III joins Perry Dampf

Joe Giarrusso joins Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions as a neutral with great impartiality throughout the mediation process, treating all parties involved with fairness and respect. He is an experienced attorney having represented clients on both sides of the bar.

News & Insights
June 16, 2023

Taking It to the Next Level: Perry Dampf's Baton Rouge Office Expands by Moving to Second Floor in Current Building

We are excited to announce that our Baton Rouge Office is relocating within the same building to a new, larger office space. Our new office will allow us to better serve our clients and provide a more comfortable and accommodating environment for mediations and arbitrations, with 12 beautiful conference rooms.

Our new address is 721 Government Street, Suite 200, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, and we are fully operational at this location. Please note that our phone number and email addresses will remain the same.

We appreciate your continued support and look forward to serving you at our new location. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at (225) 389-9899.

News & Insights
May 16, 2023

Rick Ward added to Mediation Panel

Perry Dampf adds Rick Ward to its mediation panel. Rick’s history in the Louisiana State Senate aids in his understanding the broader social and political context of dispute and provides insight into conflict resolution. His deep understanding of the legal system is particularly helpful when mediating legal disputes.

News & Insights
May 1, 2023

Perry Dampf welcomes Pat DeRouen to Panel

Pat DeRouen has joined the Perry Dampf Mediation Panel after over 30 years in the legal field. His areas of expertise include Personal Injury, Trucking & Transportation, Commercial Litigation/Property & Casualty, Hurricane Claims, Construction Litigation, Bad Faith Claims, Governmental Regulations, Premise Liability. With his comprehensive knowledge of the law and extensive legal experience, we are confident that he will deliver exceptional mediation services to our clients. We are delighted to welcome him to our team and are excited about collaborating with him to resolve disputes in a fair, effective, and efficient manner.

News & Insights
April 21, 2023

Andy Weinstock Joins Perry Dampf Panel

Andy Weinstock has joined our Panel at Perry Dampf. His areas of practice include General Casualty, Products Liability, Toxic Tort/Asbestos, Auto/Truck Liability, Premise Liability, and ERISA. With his understanding of the law and extensive legal background, we are confident that Mr. Weinstock will provide our clients with outstanding mediation services. We welcome him to our team and look forward to working together to resolve disputes effectively and efficiently.

News & Insights
March 8, 2023

Ernie Gieger Joins Perry Dampf Panel

Ernie Gieger has been selected hundreds of times to “parachute” into ongoing litigation to quickly review and resolve matters prior to trial. His areas of practice include products liability, class actions, complex litigation, insurance, and toxic tort. Although he continues to try select cases, his plan as a mediator is to quickly review and resolve matters in litigation through mediation.

News & Insights
November 15, 2022

Perry Dampf adds Joseph Maselli Jr. to Panel

Joe will be a full-time mediator effective 1/3/23 upon retirement as a partner with Plauché Maselli Parkerson. His practice was devoted to premises liability, auto liability, product liability, and a myriad of general liability claims. While most of his work was defense-oriented, he represented plaintiffs in a variety of cases. He will remain “Of Counsel” with his firm.

News & Insights
November 8, 2022

Brigid Collins joins Mediator Panel

Brigid joins the Perry Dampf mediation team upon retirement as Orleans Parish Magistrate Commissioner. Prior to that, Brigid worked as a private defense attorney in New Orleans. Brigid is serving as a court appointed mediator in the Hurricane Ida Claims in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, 24th JDC-Jefferson Parish and Orleans CDC.

News & Insights
November 2, 2022

Matthew Block Affiliated Again with Perry Dampf

Matthew Block has returned to Perry Dampf after serving seven years as Executive Counsel to Governor John Bel Edwards. In that role, Matthew served as the governor’s chief legal counsel, as well as one of his primary advisors. Before his public service in the governor’s office, he practiced in the areas of commercial litigation, professional liability, personal injury and consumer fraud.

News & Insights
September 30, 2022

Breaking Barriers: A View from the Bench

Judge Freddie Pitcher Jr.’s recently published book, Breaking Barriers: A View from the Bench, describes how he made history in Baton Rouge by becoming the first African American to be elected to judgeships at three different levels of the court system. This autobiography recounts Pitcher’s early years in Valley Park―a segregated and semi-rural neighborhood―where one of his cousins, a civil rights attorney, served as his role model and inspired him to become both a lawyer and an agent of change.

News & Insights
August 1, 2022

Catherine D. Kimball Award awarded to William Morvant

At the LSBA’s Annual Meeting, Judge William A. Morvant (Ret.) received the 2022 Catherine D. Kimball Award for Advancement of the Administration of Justice. This award recognizes an individual who has done exemplary work in advancing the administration of justice in Louisiana. Judge Morvant served as a judge for the 19th JDC for 24 years until his retirement in 2021. He currently serves on the Judicial Supplemental Compensation Board and is an adjunct faculty member at LSU Law Center.

News & Insights
August 1, 2022

Freddie Pitcher receives Trailblazer Award

Judge Freddie Pitcher, Jr. (Ret.), received the 2022 Chief Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson Trailblazer Award. This award recognizes individuals who demonstrate a unique blend of experience, skills and accomplishments which translate into successful diversity and inclusion efforts. Pitcher, former chancellor of Southern University Law Center, was the first African American elected to a judgeship in Baton Rouge to the City Court in 1983. Since then, he was the first African American elected to the 19th JDC in 1987. And another first was his election to the Louisiana 1st Circuit Court of Appeal in 1992.

News & Insights
July 22, 2022

David Bienvenu welcomed to the team of mediators

David Bienvenu brings his forty years of experience in representing clients in state and federal courts throughout Louisiana to his work as a mediator. He completed formal mediation training at the Straus Institute of Dispute Resolution of Pepperdine University School of Law in 2013 and has conducted successful mediations in casualty, insurance and commercial litigation since that time. Mr. Bienvenu is based out of New Orleans, Louisiana, but he is available wherever needed.

News & Insights
July 20, 2022

Perry Dampf adds Jack Roethele as mediator

Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions is pleased to announce that Jack Roethele has been added to its panel of mediators. Jack has applied his unique background and 35 years of professional experience as a litigator and manager of a small firm to mediation with a proven track record of success. Jack has been successfully serving as a mediator since 2017. Jack has extensive experience in personal injury litigation including automobile accidents, trucking accidents, premises liability, general liability, insurance coverage issues, and bad faith matters.

News & Insights
April 21, 2022

Newest Member added to Group is Scott Loeb

Scott Loeb joins the Perry Dampf panel while continuing his practice with the Loeb Law Firm in Mandeville, LA. He's handled mostly defense work, but also some plaintiff representation in commercial and personal injury cases. He has represented insurance companies and public and private corporations in business, construction, insurance and trucking litigation.

William Morvant
News & Insights
April 15, 2022

Perry Dampf honored by William Morvant Affiliation

We are honored to welcome Judge Billy Morvant to the mediation panel. He served as district court judge with the 19th JDC for 25 years. He is well versed in civil procedure and evidentiary matters. He also has experience with commercial litigation, contracts, products liability and banking litigation.

News & Insights
April 4, 2022

Kelly Cambre Bogart joins the Perry Dampf Team

Kelly Bogart joins the Perry Dampf mediation team and will also continue her law practice with Duplass Zwain in Metairie, LA. She has extensive experience in construction defect and hurricane litigation, as well as complex, multi-party cases.

Coleman Organ
News & Insights
November 19, 2021

Coleman Organ joins Mediation Panel

Coleman Organ has joined the mediation panel of Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions. Coleman brings 45 years of experience - 20 years in private practice and 25 years as staff counsel with insurance companies. Perry Dampf is honored by his affiliation with the firm and the strong reputation he brings to the mediation group.

News & Insights
November 19, 2021

Richard “Dicky” Haik added to Mediator Panel

Having served over thirty (30) years on the bench, Richard “Dicky” Haik is uniquely qualified to serve as a mediator in all matters. He’s knowledgeable of the law and understanding of human nature, which make him a very effective neutral.

News & Insights
November 15, 2021

Perry Dampf welcomes Corey Wilson

Corey Kendrick Wilson joins Perry Dampf’s mediation panel. He brings 25 years of government, business, legal and financial experience to his mediation clients.

News & Insights
September 13, 2021

Michael W. McMahon now affiliated with Perry Dampf

Mike McMahon brings 26 years litigation experience to the table for his mediation clients. During his career, he has successfully mediated hundreds of cases from simple slip and falls to complex, multi-party major casualties. Perry Dampf is excited to have Mr. McMahon, an attorney/CPA join the team.

News & Insights
August 24, 2021

We Welcome Richard Leefe to the Panel

We are excited to introduce Richard Leefe, a partner in Leefe Gibbs Sullivan & Dupre law firm in Metairie. He brings 47 years of legal and trial experience including over 200 trials in all types of litigation in state and federal courts in 15 states as well as Europe, Africa, South America, Asia and the Caribbean.

News & Insights
April 19, 2021

Newest Member Joining Team is Charlotte Bushnell

Perry Dampf is pleased to announce the addition of Hon. Charlotte Bushnell (Ret.) to its panel of mediators. Judge Bushnell brings over 36 years of experience in the legal profession. She recently retired as a Workers’ Compensation District Court Judge after 27 years at the District 3, Lake Charles Office. Before her time on the bench, Judge Bushnell served as counsel for the Calcasieu Parish Public Defenders’ Office. Over her career, Judge Bushnell has heard hundreds of motions, trials and exceptions and conducted thousands of settlement conferences. She was just appointed by United States District Judge James Cain to serve on a panel of neutrals to mediate cases arising from Hurricanes Laura and Delta. Perry Dampf welcomes Judge Bushnell’s wealth of knowledge and experience to its panel of mediators.

News & Insights
June 1, 2020

Virtual mediations for real settlements

The image of the lawyer as a Luddite is not without some merit. Our profession has been particularly re-sistant to technological change compared to other industries and professions. We resisted online research for as long as possible.

News & Insights
May 4, 2020

Retired Justice Freddie Pitcher joins mediation panel

Justice Pitcher has joined the mediation, arbitration and special master panels of Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions. Justice Pitcher (Ret.) ran unopposed for the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeals and served by appointment as an Associated Justice Ad Hoc on the Louisiana Supreme Court on three separate occasions. Perry Dampf is privileged to have Justice Pitcher affiliate with the group.

News & Insights
April 1, 2020

Mediation – “The COVID-19 Edition”

The COVID-19 pandemic has massively impacted all aspects of our lives. With a state-wide Stay Home Order and the social distancing required to curb this crisis, we have all quickly adapted to a new normal including telephone and video chat holidays, family gatherings, school classes and workplace meetings.

News & Insights
January 30, 2020

Kent Moroux, Newest Mediator Accepted to Panel

We are excited to introduce Kent Moroux, a new neutral joining the mediation panel. Mr. Moroux has 12 years of practice in personal injury, insurance, bad faith litigation, products liability, premise liability, and professional liability. His extensive trial experience and knowledge of judges, venues, and quantum is an asset to parties seeking resolution of disputes.

News & Insights
January 14, 2020

Marvin Olinde added to team

Our team is growing, and we are excited to announce that MARVIN OLINDE has joined the mediation panel. As a litigator for 40 years, she has developed a relationship with all sides of the bar as being fair with an even temperament.

News & Insights
September 26, 2019

Cajun Humor to Be or Not to Be?

Rebecca Wisbar hosts Cajun comedian Kent Gonsoulin as a guest on The Mediation Minute [Audio podcast] to discuss how humor can play a role in communication during the mediation process. Kent offers insight into maintaining professional standards, yet utilizing a sense of humor to relieve tensions. To listen to the podcast, go to: https://podcast.app/kent-gonsoulin-e72501540/.

News & Insights
September 25, 2019

Newest mediator announced: Pride J. Doran

Pride Doran has joined the mediation panel of Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions. He has extensive experience in automobile and trucking claims, maritime, product liability and insurance coverage. Perry Dampf is honored by Mr. Doran’s affiliation with the firm and the high level of skill and integrity he brings to the mediation group.

News & Insights
September 23, 2019

Wandering Back Home with a Smile and a Mission

He's one of those people who never meets a stranger, who chats with the people in the row ahead of him at Alex Box and comes away with friends for life. Affable and self-effacing, Robert Dampf chose the perfect career when he took a slight veer away from the courtroom into the conference room to become a mediator. Now, after nearly forty years away, Dampf is bringing his substantial people skills back to Baton Rouge and LSU as a member of the LSU Board of Supervisors.

News & Insights
September 19, 2019

“Life on Comp” featured topic on the Mediation Minute

Rebecca Wisbar is joined by Chris Mensman on The Mediation Minute [Audio podcast] to discuss “Life on Comp” and how Worker’s Compensation impacts the mediation process. Listen to this podcast as Chris shares his insights: https://podcast.app/kent-gonsoulin-e72501540/.

News & Insights
August 6, 2019

Robert J. David, Jr., welcomed to the team of mediators

Bob David has been involved in arbitrations, mediations, administrative trials, and/or litigation in over 25 states. In his law practice, he has devoted considerable time counseling clients on developing and implementing proactive approaches to reach fair, expedient, and cost-effective solutions. He completed Civil Mediation Training at Lipscomb University's Institute for Conflict Management. Mr. David is based out of Perry Dampf’s Lafayette, Louisiana mediation office, but he is available wherever needed.

News & Insights
February 5, 2019

Perry Dampf adds Vincent Fornias as arbitrator and ENE

We are pleased to announce that Vincent P. Fornias has been appointed to our arbitration, early neutral evaluator (ENE) and umpire panels. Mr. Fornias, a bilingual Cuban-American, has participated in over 4,000 mediations, arbitrations and insurance umpire proceedings in over two decades as an ADR professional.

News & Insights
January 7, 2019

Daniel E. Knowles III joins Perry Dampf panel

Recently retired United States Magistrate Judge Daniel E. Knowles III joined Perry Dampf after retiring from office earlier this month. Judge Knowles will serve as a mediator and arbitrator across the State of Louisiana. He has handled more than 7,500 settlement conferences involving virtually every area of litigation. Perry Dampf is honored by Judge Knowle’s affiliation with the firm and his impeccable reputation.

News & Insights
January 2, 2019

Newest member joining our team is Rebecca Wisbar

Perry Dampf welcomes Rebecca Wisbar, another exciting addition to the panel. Ms. Wisbar has conducted quite a number of mediations already involving general torts, personal injury, successions, corporate issues, banking law, employment disputes, health plans and workers compensation. She completed mediation training in Chicago at Northwestern University. Ms. Wisbar is also the host of The Mediation Minute podcast. She has received several excellent testimonials attesting to her successful mediation skills.

News & Insights
January 1, 2019

Early Neutral Evaluation: Fresh Eyes and Lower Costs

Let’s try a little word association exercise, dear reader(s). When you hear the term “ADR,” what’s your first thought? If anyone answered “Amazing Danish Roosters,” you need to up your meds. Most of you no doubt thought of mediations, by far the favorite settlement technique of the last couple of decades. And why shouldn’t it be? Mediations are traditional, predictable and easily sold to your clients. But what about another “alternative” road to settlement, one that arguably provides better flexibility and can often be used earlier in the dispute resolution process? Consider “Early Neutral Evaluation.

News & Insights
November 20, 2018

Perry Dampf welcomes Sonny Chastain

James R. “Sonny” Chastain, Jr., joins Perry Dampf’s mediation panel. He is an intellectual property guru and commercial litigator at Kean Miller’s Baton Rouge office. His areas of concentration for mediation will include Commercial Litigation, Contracts, Unfair Trade Practices, Non-compete Agreements, Fiduciary Duty, Intellectual Property, Trademark, Copyright, Trade Secrets, Unfair Competition, Software Licenses, Sales/Leases, Construction Disputes, Banking, Securities, Antitrust, RICO, Investment Suitability and Broker Relations.

News & Insights
September 26, 2018

Jim Gibson, Newest Mediator

We welcome Jim Gibson to the mediation panel. Based out of Lafayette, he has over 34 years of legal experience in commercial litigation and legal/professional malpractice.

News & Insights
June 26, 2018

Scott Kaiser joins mediation panel

Mr. Kaiser has participated in hundreds of mediations throughout his career and is passionate about the effectiveness of formal mediations to get disputes resolved. He continues to represent both plaintiffs and defendants in litigated cases from his own office today.

News & Insights
March 7, 2018

Randy Theunissen welcomed aboard

Randy recently joined Perry Dampf as a mediator. His practice has focused on maritime, aviation, burn cases and trucking, as well as general defense work (products liability, insurance coverage issues, personal injury). His office is based in Lafayette, LA.

News & Insights
March 5, 2018

Even three-year olds get reasonable after lunch at Perry Dampf

Pictured are Toddler Perry and Toddler Dampf - the future generation.

News & Insights
February 2, 2018

Paul West, newest arbitrator

Paul West joins the panel as an arbitrator. He’s been with the Baker Donelson firm for the past 8 years in Baton Rouge. He has heavy casino/regulatory gaming experience. He attended a 2-day training at the AAA Arbitration School. His repertoire includes having a couple of arbitrations under his belt already.

News & Insights
September 26, 2017

Thomas J. Solari joins mediation panel

Tom Solari is Of Counsel with the law firm of Plauché, Smith & Nieset, LLC in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Tom has practiced law for 29 years. He began serving as a mediator in 2014 after completing 40 hours of civil, commercial and employment meditation training with The Mediation Institute.

News & Insights
August 29, 2017

Perry Dampf adds Daniel P. Parker as mediator

Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions is pleased to announce that Daniel P. Parker has been added to its mediation panel. Mr. Parker is senior partner with the Monroe law office of Parker Alexander. He brings 37 years of legal experience to his mediation clients.

News & Insights
July 31, 2017

Newest member joining our team is Keith Richardson

Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions welcomes its newest panel member, Keith L. Richardson. Mr. Richardson’s primary practice areas include civil litigation, premises liability, coverage analysis, bad faith defense, and general insurance defense for a wide range of carriers. He will continue to practice in the Baton Rouge firm of Schutte, Terhoeve, Richardson, Eversberg, Cronin, Judice, & Boudreaux.

News & Insights
June 19, 2017

Perry Dampf adds John W. Perry III to panel

We are pleased to announce that John W. Perry III has been added to the mediation and special master panels. Jonathon practices in the law firm of Perry Atkinson Balhoff Mengis & Burns and has 8 years of practice in federal and state trial.

News & Insights
April 7, 2017

Krouse recipient of New Orleans CityBusiness Leadership in Law award

We are pleased to announce that A.J. Krouse is a recipient of the New Orleans CityBusiness 2017 Leadership in Law award. The annual award, started in 2005, honors the Top 50 lawyers in the Greater New Orleans area based on their legal, professional and community contributions. Krouse will be recognized alongside his fellow honorees at a cocktail reception taking place May 22nd at the New Orleans Museum of Art. He will also be featured in a special insert profiling all 2017 “Leadership in Law” honorees in the May 26, 2017, issue of New Orleans CityBusiness. To view the 2017 honorees, click here http://neworleanscitybusiness.com/blog/2017/02/17/honorees-chosen-for-13th-leadership-in-law-class/.

News & Insights
March 29, 2017

Sole receives prestigious award

Emmett Sole, a member of Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions, was selected as the recipient of the 2017 Louisiana Bar Foundation's Curtis R. Boisfontaine Trial Advocacy Award because of his long-standing devotion to and excellence in trial practice. Mr. Sole was also recognized because he has upheld the standards of ethics and highest consideration for the courts, litigants and all counsel. This award was established through an endowment in memory of Mr. Boisfontaine, who served as president of the LSBA and the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel. Based in Lake Charles, Mr. Sole has nearly 50 years of experience and is widely recognized throughout the state and region as a leader in construction litigation and professional malpractice law.

News & Insights
February 9, 2017

Perry Dampf welcomes Aub Ward

Aub Ward rejoins Perry Dampf’s mediation and arbitration panel. He was formerly a member of the panel from 2004-2007. He is a partner in the law firm of Naquin & Ward and has 38 years of practice in federal and state trial and appellate litigation, including personal injury, maritime and toxic tort cases. Mr. Ward looks forward to serving as a neutral for both plaintiffs and defendants.

News & Insights
January 3, 2017

Kip Holden joins Perry Dampf panel

Outgoing Mayor Kip Holden joined Perry Dampf after leaving office at the end of 2016 having served three terms. Holden will serve as a mediator and arbitrator across the State of Louisiana. He received his law degree from the Southern University School of Law in 1985 and has been an adjunct professor there since the 1990’s. Perry Dampf is honored by Mayor Holden's affiliation with the firm and the strong reputation he brings to the group.

News & Insights
November 29, 2016

More CLE’s presented by Luker

On 11/15/16, Lynn Luker presented for the LSBA at its In House/Outside Practice program - "The Next Realm: How To Make Yourself Indispensable to Your Clients - It's Beyond Good Lawyering and It's Beyond Responsiveness: It's About Much More.” On 11/4/16, she also presented a CLE held at Loyola Law School on "Punitive Damages Under General Maritime Law".

News & Insights
October 31, 2016

Recent CLE’s taught by PDDS Mediators

The LSU Law Center held its Construction Law CLE on September 30, 2016. Perry Dampf panel members, Emmett Sole and Keely Scott, were seminar speakers. Mr. Sole presented on Construction Mediation and Ms. Scott’s topic was Statutes of Repose (Peremption). Mr. Sole served as the Co-Chair again this year. Additionally, he served as Co-Chair of the LSBA Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Section’s 2016 CLE seminar held on October 14, 2016, in Baton Rouge.

News & Insights
July 18, 2016

Scott Love featured on the Mediation Minute

Scott Love joined Rebecca Wisbar on The Mediation Minute to compare and contrast arbitration and mediation. Listen to this podcast as Scott shares reasons that parties might opt to arbitrate, and how that alternative dispute method differs in practice from mediation. The discussion turns to some of the positive attributes of mediation. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scott-love/id1102274179?i=1000371577538

News & Insights
November 10, 2015

Newest member joining our team is David T. Butler, Jr.

Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions extends a warm welcome to its newest panel member, David Butler. Mr. Butler has extensive experience having tried 200+ cases and chaired 400+ medical review panels over 31 years. Perry Dampf is pleased to announce Mr. Butler’s affiliation and specialization with workers’ compensation claims.

News & Insights
November 3, 2015

Lynn Luker speaks at recent CLE’s

Lynn Luker, chair of the New Orleans Bar Association ADR Committee, spoke on November 2, 2015, along with a distinguished panel of judges and experienced mediators. Her topic was "Multi-Party Mediations." Lynn was also recently an invited speaker on "Settlement and Mediation Strategy from a Litigator, Former Judge Pro Tempore and Mediator" for the Louisiana Claims Association, which annually hosts a successful educational conference.

News & Insights
October 30, 2015

Emmett Sole co-chairs ADR CLE

On October 16, 2015, Emmett Sole co-chaired Mediating in the RED ZONE: New Plays to Score Settlements, an educational seminar cosponsored by the LSBA and the ADR Section. The seminar was held at the Renaissance Baton Rouge and covered topics such as “Opening Proposals – The First Down Play,” “Impossible Moments in Mediations – Looking Down Field” and other new negotiating tips.

News & Insights
October 29, 2015

Perry Dampf adds James A. Lochridge, Jr., as mediator

We are pleased to announce that Jim Lochridge has been added to our mediation panel. Mr. Lochridge will continue to practice law with the Voorhies & Labbé firm in Lafayette. He will be handling mediations in South Louisiana. We are excited about Jim’s diverse background that includes insurance, professional liability and land-based casualty defense.

News & Insights
May 12, 2015

Perry Dampf welcomes Liz Baker Murrill to panel

Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions is pleased to announce that Liz Baker Murrill has been appointed a panel member to its mediation, arbitration and special master panels. Mrs. Murrill has been approved and appointed to serve as a court appointed special master. She is also the managing director of Strategic Governmental Solutions, LLC.

News & Insights
March 24, 2015

Lynn Luker added to Perry Dampf panel

Perry Dampf extends a warm welcome to newest panel member, Lynn Luker. Ms. Luker is a seasoned trial attorney with a broad range of experience from asbestos to maritime to business disputes. Ms. Luker has an LLM in Admiralty Law and Energy and Environment. As Judge Pro Tempore, she conducted settlement conferences on a regular basis making her an ideal mediator and arbitrator.

News & Insights
March 21, 2015

Emmett Sole speaks at SWLBA Bar Conference

On March 21, 2015, Emmett Sole gave a CLE presentation to the Southwest Louisiana Bar Association at its annual bench bar conference at the Houstonian in Houston, TX. Mr. Sole’s lecture on Alternative Dispute Resolution was entitled “What’s Up & What’s New”.

News & Insights
March 21, 2015

Newest Member added to the panel is Kelly Cambre Bogart

Everyone here would like to thank Kelly Cambre Bogart for being a neutral at Perry Dampf, one the highest rated Mediation, Arbitration, and ADR Services in the south.

News & Insights
January 14, 2015

Perry Dampf adds Jeff Cole as mediator and arbitrator

Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions is pleased to announce that Jeffrey M. Cole has been appointed a panel member to its mediation and arbitration panels. Mr. Cole is a partner in the law firm of Plauché Smith & Nieset in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and has over 35 years of experience practicing primarily in insurance defense and workers' compensation defense litigation.

News & Insights
October 20, 2014

Sole and Burns to serve on ADR Council

At the LSBA’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Section Annual Meeting held on 10.17.14, Emmett C. Sole was nominated and confirmed to serve as Chair of the 2014-15 ADR Council for a 2-year term. Additionally, Robert J. Burns, Jr., was confirmed as a Council Member and will serve a 3-year term.

News & Insights
August 13, 2014

Keely Scott completes Pepperdine course

Keely Scott has completed the 42 hour “Mediating the Litigated Case” intensive mediation training program at Pepperdine Law School’s Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, which U.S. News & World Report has ranked as the Number 1 dispute resolution program in the country for the past consecutive 10 years.

News & Insights
June 18, 2014

DeRojas joins mediation panel

I. René DeRojas has joined the mediation panel with Perry Dampf. He is the first bilingual Hispanic-American mediator to join the group. Mr. DeRojas has extensive experience in litigating personal injury disputes in state and federal courts throughout Louisiana. Since 1991 he has practiced with the law firm of McCranie, Sistrunk, Anzelmo, Hardy, McDaniel & Welch, where he maintains a diversified insurance defense practice with a concentration in the areas of personal injury and premises liability.

News & Insights
June 17, 2014

Bid protest filed by Dan Lund successful at Louis Armstrong International Airport

A new request for proposals will be issued for major planned construction at the New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport, after lawyers with Coats Rose successfully protested the construction manager at risk selection process for the new North Terminal. Daniel Lund III, director of Coats Rose and mediator with Perry Dampf, wrote the protest letter. After the 6.9.14 hearing on the protest, the New Orleans Aviation Board recognized the protest and opted to withdraw its existing request for proposals in favor of a substitute RFP to be issued in the near future.

News & Insights
May 30, 2014

The Standing Neutral - Low-Cost Insurance to Prevent Diputes on Construction Projects

Construction is a high-risk business, often volatile, with a high potential for problems and adversarial relationships. Every project involves a multitude of participants—an owner, a design and engineering team, many members of a construction team—all with potentially conflicting interests, working on a critical path, with a shared goal to complete the project on time and under budget. Once the work begins, the project cannot be interrupted or delayed to any extent without serious repercussions. This is why the construction industry places a premium on resolving problems quickly.

News & Insights
April 1, 2014

Acadiana Profile magazine names “Top Lawyers” in ADR

Robert S. Dampf, Thomas R. Juneau, Sr., and Andrew D. McGlathery III were selected by their colleagues to be included as “Top Lawyers” in the category of Alternate Dispute Resolution in the Acadiana, Louisiana area. The Acadiana Profile magazine polled attorneys for mediators they would recommend and evaluated the results. Congratulations to the Perry Dampf panel members who received the highest number of votes.

News & Insights
March 28, 2014

Emmett Sole speaks at Area Conferences

On March 14, 2014, Emmett Sole gave a CLE presentation to the Southwest Louisiana Bar Association at its annual bench bar conference at the Houstonian in Houston, TX. Mr. Sole’s lecture was entitled “Mediation 101 – the Boy Scout Motto: Be Prepared – and Reasonable”. Additionally, Mr. Sole presented “Mediation of Construction Disputes” to the Construction Law Section of the Baton Rouge Bar Association on February 25, 2014, in Baton Rouge, LA.

News & Insights
March 19, 2014

Krouse named Fellow of the American College of e-Neutrals

A.J. Krouse has been recognized as an e-Neutral and is now a Fellow of the American College of e-Neutrals (ACESIN) having met the highest standards of knowledge, training and experience in both dispute resolution and e-discovery as determined by ACESIN's Advisory Board. An ACESIN Fellow stands ready to assist litigants and the courts in resolving e-discovery disputes in an efficient and effective manner through the use of e-Mediations or court appointments.

News & Insights
February 26, 2014

Perry Dampf adds G. Trippe Hawthorne as mediator and arbitrator

Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions is pleased to announce that Trippe Hawthorne has been appointed to its mediation and arbitration panels. Mr. Hawthorne is a partner in the law firm of Kean Miller and has experience in a wide variety of construction and commercial litigation disputes. He is also available to serve as an Early Neutral Evaluator and Standing Neutral for Construction Projects.

News & Insights
January 31, 2014

Newest member joining our team is David C. Clement

Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions extends a warm welcome to its newest panel member, David Clement. Mr. Clement has extensive experience with every facet of a construction project, and began his career in architecture. In 2013, he completed training in “Mediating Disputes” at Harvard Negotiation Institute. Perry Dampf is pleased to announce Mr. Clement’s affiliation with the firm as mediator, arbitrator and umpire/appraiser.

News & Insights
January 27, 2014

Robert Burns speaker at CLE for YLS

On January 24, 2014, Robert J. Burns, Jr., taught “Professionalism in Mediation” to young lawyers of the Louisiana State Bar Association at the Renaissance Hotel in Baton Rouge. Burns covered multiple mediation techniques and discussed why honesty during mediation is integral to a successful mediation.

News & Insights
January 9, 2014

Steven C. Judice now affiliated with Perry Dampf

Steve Judice brings over 30 years litigation experience to the table for his mediation clients. He established a mediation practice in 2009 after completing a 40 hour course of mediator training through Conflict Resolution Associates LLC. He recently attended a course on the Science and Psychology of Negotiation and Mediation. Mr. Judice is an outstanding addition to the mediation panel.

News & Insights
November 11, 2013

Darrel J. Papillion joins mediation panel

Darrel Papillion has joined the mediation panel of Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions. He is a veteran Louisiana trial lawyer who handles complicated wrongful death and serious personal injury cases with the Baton Rouge law firm, Walters, Papillion, Thomas, Cullens. Perry Dampf is honored by Papillion’s affiliation with the firm and the strong reputation he brings to the mediation group.

News & Insights
November 6, 2013

Sole serves as CLE Co-Chair and Speaker

Emmett Sole served as CLE Co-Chair and Speaker for the LSU Law Center “Construction Law Seminar” held on November 1, 2013. Mr. Sole’s presentation highlighted “Mediation of Construction Disputes.” Mr. Sole is dedicated to helping young lawyers and colleagues continue their professional development. He has continually served as Co-Chair and/or Speaker for the LSU Law Center programs on construction law in 2004, 2007, 2010 and 2013. Additionally, Mr. Sole serves as Chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Committee of the Louisiana State Law Institute.

News & Insights
September 26, 2013

Krouse speaks at Conference on “Legal Issues in Brain Injury”

Mediator A.J. Krouse was invited to speak at the 26th Annual Conference on “Legal Issues in Brain Injury” held September 18-21, 2013, in New Orleans at the InterContinental Hotel. Mr. Krouse spoke about a Mediator's Experience with Traumatic Brain Injury Cases.

The conference was hosted and organized by the North American Brain Injury Society (NABIS). Attendees received the very latest information on brain injury litigation at this three-day hands-on conference considered a 'must attend' event for all professionals involved in brain injury litigation. The conference featured an all-star cast of top trial attorneys and medical experts who presented a broad array of practical information covering the latest literature, diagnostic testing methods, rehabilitation, case management, trial techniques and cutting-edge demonstrative evidence.

News & Insights
September 24, 2013

James Cobb's Book Signing scheduled in October

Meet the Author: join James Cobb in celebration of his new book, FLOOD OF LIES: The St. Rita's Nursing Home Tragedy, on Thursday, October 24, 2013, from 4:30-7:00 p.m. at Juban's Restaurant, 3739 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA. James Cobb is an attorney who defends an elderly couple, the owners of St. Rita's nursing home, where 35 helpless residents drown in their wheelchairs and beds in a tsunami after hurricane Katrina. It is Katrina's saddest, most shocking tragedy. Mr. Cobb is also a mediator with Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions. In FLOOD OF LIES, the Attorney General charges the nursing home owners with murder - 70 counts - as well as 48 counts of cruelty to the elderly and infirm. If convicted, the couple faces life in prison. But who is responsible, owners Sal and Mabel Mangano, or the government, who may have failed to implement its own Emergency Operations Plan? Cobb will keep you on the edge of your seat in this emotional thriller. Visit http://floodoflies.com/ for more information.

News & Insights
January 14, 2013

Perry Dampf adds William Helm as mediator

Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions is pleased to announce that William C. Helm has been appointed to its mediation panel. He is a partner in the Baton Rouge law firm of Helm & Jacobs, L.L.C. and has over 22 years of practice in federal and state trial and appellate litigation in Louisiana and Mississippi. His areas of concentration are personal and commercial automobile liability, insurance, negligence, contracts, and collections.

News & Insights
December 17, 2012

Academy Membership awarded to Krouse

A.J. Krouse was invited to join the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, a professional association whose membership consists of attorneys distinguished by their hands-on experience in conflict resolution, and by their commitment to methods of alternative dispute resolution. For more information, visit www.nadn.org. A.J. Krouse was invited to join the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, a professional association whose membership consists of attorneys distinguished by their hands-on experience in conflict resolution, and by their commitment to methods of alternative dispute resolution. For more information, visit www.nadn.org.

News & Insights
December 11, 2012

Love invited to join College as a Fellow

Glen Scott Love was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Civil Trial Mediators, which is a non-profit organization of professionals distinguished by their experience, skill, ethical standards, and professional commitment to dispute resolution. Congratulations to Mr. Love for his continued accomplishments in the mediation field. For more information, visit www.acctm.org.

News & Insights
August 20, 2012

James Cobb rejoins mediator panel

James A. Cobb, Jr., rejoins the mediation panel of Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions. After serving as general counsel for Crosby Tuggs, Mr. Cobb is now Of Counsel to Ajubita, Leftwich and Salzer. With over 30 years of experience, Mr. Cobb will also resume his mediation practice specializing in maritime, medical malpractice, personal injury and death cases.

News & Insights
August 14, 2012

Academy Membership awarded to Love and McGlathery

Glen Scott Love and Andrew McGlathery III were invited to join the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, a professional association whose membership consists of attorneys distinguished by their hands-on experience in conflict resolution, and by their commitment to methods of alternative dispute resolution. Mssrs. Love and McGlathery have dedicated more than 25% of their professional efforts to civil/commercial ADR practice for more than 5 years. The Academy makes its roster of peer-reviewed mediators available at no cost to visitors by searching their website for professionals with the pertinent case experience, ADR expertise, or by preferred region. Members can be contacted directly or scheduled online for free, with no consulting fees charged by NADN. For more information, visit www.nadn.org.

News & Insights
July 3, 2012

Krouse receives Nomination

A.J. Krouse has been nominated for the Corporate INTL Magazine award for Arbitration Law Firm of the Year in Louisiana. The award commemorates those who have been active over the past 12 months and have shown excellence in expertise and service. For all awards, a detailed research is undertaken through editorial and research teams and following that, a shortlist of firms that are experts is created in their chosen specialties. We are delighted by this recognition to Mr. Krouse.

News & Insights
June 26, 2012

Newest member joining team is Keely Scott

Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions extends a warm welcome to its newest mediator, Keely Y. Scott. Ms. Scott will continue her litigation practice in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She has successfully defended architects, engineers and contractors in litigation involving construction defects, personal injuries, property damage and errors and/or omissions arising from construction. Perry Dampf is pleased to announce Ms. Scott’s affiliation with its group.

News & Insights
May 14, 2012

Krouse invited to join College as a Fellow

A.J. Krouse was admitted as a Fellow of the American College of Civil Trial Mediators, which is a non-profit organization of professionals distinguished by their experience, skill, ethical standards, and professional commitment to dispute resolution. Congratulations to Mr. Krouse for his continued accomplishments in the mediation field.

News & Insights
April 30, 2012

Matthew Block joins mediator panel

Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions is pleased to announce that Matthew F. Block has joined its mediation panel and is available to conduct mediations statewide. Mr. Block has practiced in the areas of commercial litigation, professional liability and personal injury, as well as served as liaison counsel to the Gulf Coast Claims Facility. Mr. Block is an outstanding addition to the mediator panel.

News & Insights
March 30, 2012

The LSU 100: Fastest Growing Tiger Businesses

For the second consecutive year, Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions was honored to receive the LSU 100 Award, an award that identifies, recognizes and celebrates the 100 fastest growing LSU-owned or LSU-led businesses in the world. The LSU 100 not only celebrates our success and achievements, it also provides a forum to pass lessons to the next generation of LSU entrepreneurs. Several criteria had to be met by the company to be eligible, including company size and longevity, LSU leadership, and company character. The full list of winners can be viewed at http://www.lsu100.com/2012-honorees/.

News & Insights
November 10, 2011

Perry Dampf adds Carey J. Guglielmo as mediator and arbitrator

Carey Guglielmo has joined the panel at Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions as a mediator and arbitrator for cases involving personal injury, insurance disputes, and construction litigation. After serving in the military, Mr. Guglielmo began his law practice in Baton Rouge with Kantrow, Spaht and thereafter as a partner in the firm of Guglielmo, Marks, Schutte, Terhoeve & Love. He received an AV® rating from Martindale-Hubbell for legal ability and adherence to professional standards of ethics. Perry Dampf is honored by Mr. Guglielmo’s affiliation with the firm and the strong reputation he brings to the group.

News & Insights
July 7, 2011

Perry Dampf welcomes newest member, Hodge O’Neal III

Hodge O’Neal joins the mediation panel with Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions. Mr. O’Neal has recently retired from his law practice of over forty-one years. He began serving as a mediator in personal injury cases in 1995 and has served as mediator in more than 400 matters. Mr. O’Neal looks forward to serving as a neutral for both plaintiffs and defendants.

News & Insights
June 30, 2011

Burns Appointed as Judge for GCCF Appeals Process

Jack M. Weiss, who serves as the Chancellor of the Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center, has appointed 25 distinguished members of the legal community from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi to serve as impartial Appeals Judges for the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF). Included in the appointments to serve as an impartial GCCF Appeals Judge is Judge Robert J. Burns, Sr., (ret.) of Metairie, Louisiana. Burns is a former Chief Judge of the 24th Judicial District Court of Louisiana and served as a Judge Pro Tempore of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeal.

On March 24,2011, GCCF Claims Administrator Kenneth R. Feinberg appointed Weiss to serve as the Appointing Authority for GCCF Appeals Judges after an intensive process by which Weiss identified distinguished members of the legal community (e.g., retired federal or state judges, respected legal academics, professional mediators or arbitrators).

In announcing the appointments, Weiss stated, “The Appeals Judges selected are highly competent, respected and experienced men and women from the Gulf states most affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. I am confident that the Appeals Judges will be impartial and that they will use their experience and sound judgment to decide GCCF Appeals with fairness and in keeping with the law. These outstanding professionals should be commended for their willingness to serve the citizens of our region.”

News & Insights
March 18, 2011

Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions included in Inaugural LSU 100

Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions will be honored as one of the top 100 fastest growing tiger businesses during the LSU 100 Awards Luncheon on Friday, April 8, 2011, beginning at 11:30 a.m. The luncheon will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, located at 4728 Constitution Avenue. According to LSU Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute Director of Development Jill Roshto, the LSU 100 celebrates the success of LSU graduates and recognizes the impact of LSU on the local, regional and national economies. LSU 100 is co-hosted by LSU and LSU SEI. The full list of winners is now available for viewing at www.lsu100.com/honorees.

“Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions is indicative of the Tiger-led businesses that we are looking for to show other Tigers from every college on campus what they need to do to be successful,” Roshto said. “We congratulate them on this achievement and look forward to their continued success.”

News & Insights
February 23, 2011

Perry and Dampf named “2011 Louisiana Super Lawyer”

Founding members, John W. Perry, Jr., and Robert S. Dampf, were named "2011 Louisiana Super Lawyers" in the area of alternative dispute resolution. Perry and Dampf were two of only four attorney mediators to be selected statewide who conduct at least 80% of their practice in the area of alternative dispute resolution.

News & Insights
February 11, 2011

Lund and Sole named “2011 Louisiana Super Lawyer”

Daniel Lund III, a mediator and arbitrator with Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions, was named a "2011 Louisiana Super Lawyer". Lund was selected by Super Lawyers magazine in 2010 and 2011 in the fields of Construction/Surety and Communications. Emmet C. Sole was also selected as a "2011 Louisiana Super Lawyer" in the practice areas of Construction/Surety, Professional Liability and Personal Injury Defense. Super Lawyers names outstanding attorneys in each state who received the highest point totals, as chosen by their peers and through independent research. The selection process is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations.

News & Insights
February 2, 2011

Burns reappointed for Second Term as LPDB Member

On 1.1.11, Retired Judge Robert Burns Sr. began his second term as a member of the Louisiana Public Defender Board (LPDB). This agency is responsible for overseeing the delivery of public defense services. Judge Burns is one of two appointed representatives of Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Catherine Kimball. His renewed term will run from 1.1.11 to 1.1.15.

News & Insights
November 15, 2010

Sole presenter at recent CLE

Emmett Sole served recently as co-chair of a seminar cosponsored by the LSBA Sections on Fidelity, Surety & Construction Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution. The seminar, “Construction Law in Louisiana”, was presented on 9.24.10 at the LSU Law Center in Baton Rouge. Mr. Sole presented on the topic of recent developments in arbitration. The generosity of Mr. Sole, who volunteered his time and expertise toward the goal of presenting a program of the very highest quality, is recognized and appreciated.

News & Insights
October 8, 2010

Burns invited to join College as a Fellow

Robert Burns, Jr., was admitted as a Fellow of the American College of Civil Trial Mediators. The American College of Civil Trial Mediators is a non-profit organization of professionals distinguished by their experience, skill, ethical standards, and professional commitment to dispute resolution. His admission signifies Mr. Burns’ dedication to improving ethical and professional standards of mediation practice, conducting advanced ADR educational programs, authoring publications, lecturing, and making significant contributions to the field of ADR.

News & Insights
September 15, 2010

Ward Fontenot joins mediator/arbitrator panel

Judge H. Ward Fontenot (Ret.) has joined the mediation and arbitration panel of Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions. Judge Fontenot served for 32 years as judge of the 14th (Calcasieu) and 38th (Cameron) Parish Judicial District Courts. His experience as judge and mediator centered on maritime, mineral rights and a full range of civil litigation issues. Perry Dampf is honored by Judge Fontenot’s affiliation with the firm and the strong reputation he brings to the group.

News & Insights
August 9, 2010

Perry Dampf adds Peggy Landry as mediator & arbitrator

Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions is pleased to announce that Margaret “Peggy” Landry has been appointed a member of its mediation and arbitration panels. Ms. Landry owns and manages the architecture firm, Landry Architecture. Her practice specializes in developing coastal communities along the Gulf of Mexico. Ms. Landry also owns and manages Coastal Restorations, a heavy-construction company that provides project and construction-management services. Before starting her own architecture and construction companies, Ms. Landry, who is also a licensed attorney, was an associate with the Jones Walker Law Firm in New Orleans. Her practice focused on construction and design contracts and other general business matters. Ms. Landry handles mediations and arbitrations throughout Louisiana, with a focus on large, complex design and construction cases.

News & Insights
August 8, 2010

Dampf selected by peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers®

Robert Dampf was selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2011 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® in the practice area of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Best Lawyers® has been regarded as the guide to legal excellence in the U.S. Congratulations to Mr. Dampf for being chosen to receive this honor.

News & Insights
August 4, 2010

Lund to co-teach "What to Expect in Arbitration”

“Litigation Lessons for Lawyers” is a CLE series presented by the New Orleans Bar Association focusing on Arbitration, Expert Witnesses, Internet Research, Mediation and Rules Changes. The first CLE of the series will focus on "What to Expect in Arbitration" with Daniel Lund III and H. Bruce Shreves as featured speakers. It will be held on September 2, 2010, at Noon at Stone Pigman located at 546 Carondelet Street, New Orleans.

News & Insights
July 26, 2010

Lund elected President of Foundation of international fraternity

Dan Lund III was elected President of the Foundation for the Phi Kappa Sigma International Fraternity.

News & Insights
April 15, 2010

Perry Dampf welcomes newest member, Daniel Lund III

Dan Lund joins the mediation and arbitration panel of neutrals with Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions. He will continue to practice with the Shields Mott Lund firm, wherein he will provide a host site for mediations in his New Orleans office. With extensive experience in construction and surety litigation, as well as contracts, insurance and products liability litigation, Mr. Lund is ideally suited for cases requiring resolution of complex business matters. Congratulations to Mr. Lund on his recent endeavor of obtaining a Masters of Theological Studies degree from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

News & Insights
March 31, 2010

Robert J. Burns, Jr., attends Mediation Workshop at Harvard

In September of 2009, Robert Burns, Jr., completed the Mediation Workshop, a 5-day course presented by the Harvard Negotiation Institute and conducted at Harvard Law School, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Attendees of the course were required to do advance studies, then participate in several “mock mediations,” following which they were offered a critical analysis of their performance by their class-mates and faculty members. According to Burns, the program was a good mix of theory and practice that allowed participants to learn about, then apply, mediation techniques under the guidance of world-renowned dispute resolution specialists.

News & Insights
March 31, 2010

Mediating Complex Construction Disputes attended by Emmett Sole

Emmett Sole successfully completed 18-hours of training, Mediating Complex Construction Disputes, in October of 2009. The course was presented by Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law in Woodstock, Vermont. The course examined preparing for the construction mediation, the mediator's changing roles with multiple constituencies, and closing construction defect mediation settlements.

News & Insights
March 10, 2010

Retired Chief Justice Pascal Calogero joins mediation panel

Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions extends a warm welcome to its newest mediator, Chief Justice Calogero. Pascal Calogero served as an elected justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court for 36 years, the latter 18 of which he served as Chief Justice. He is the recipient of an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Loyola University College of Law. Perry Dampf is honored by Chief Justice Calogero’s affiliation with the firm.

News & Insights
August 4, 2009

Sole selected by peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers

In the specialty areas of Construction Law and Professional Malpractice Law, Emmett C. Sole was once again selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2010 edition of Best Lawyers in America. Congratulations to Mr. Sole for being chosen the past four consecutive years.

News & Insights
June 15, 2009

Retired Justice Chet D. Traylor joins mediation panel

Justice Traylor has joined the mediation panel of Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions. Justice Traylor (Ret.) was elected from the Fourth Supreme Court District and served as Supreme Court Justice from 1997 to 2009. Prior to that, Justice Traylor served as a judge of the Fifth Judicial District Court for the Parishes of Franklin, Richland and West Carroll for twelve years. He received his J.D. degree from Loyola University School of Law in 1974. Perry Dampf is privileged to have Justice Traylor affiliate with the firm.

News & Insights
June 1, 2009

Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions adds David Shea to its mediation panel

David J. Shea, an experienced litigator, has joined the mediation panel of Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions. His practice has focused primarily on plaintiff’s personal injury law, as well as some defense in general civil litigation. Mr. Shea has extensive experience in personal injury, maritime law, medical malpractice, workers’ compensation and many other general negligence areas of the law. With 25 years of litigation experience, Mr. Shea looks forward to serving as a neutral for both plaintiffs and defendants.

News & Insights
April 27, 2009

Krouse nominated for membership

A.J. Krouse was recently nominated and approved for membership in the College of Commercial Arbitrators (CCA). According to CCA President, Bruce W. Belding, Mr. Krouse’s nomination is a testament to his “… talent, professionalism, recognition and many achievements in the field of commercial arbitration.” We are proud of the honor bestowed on Mr. Krouse.

News & Insights
April 6, 2009

Perry Dampf welcomes aboard Don Cazayoux

We are proud to announce that Don J. Cazayoux, Jr., has joined our mediation panel. Mr. Cazayoux served as a prosecutor in Pointe Coupee Parish. In his private law practice, he represented both plaintiffs and defendants in a variety of civil disputes. He has been counsel in various class actions and actions involving significant injuries and has participated in numerous mediations. Cazayoux was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 1999 and served as a state representative until May 2008. In May 2008, he was elected to the United States Congress from the 6th District. Cazayoux is an outstanding addition to the mediator panel.

News & Insights
March 18, 2009

Newest member joining our team is Thomas Juneau

Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions extends a warm welcome to its newest mediator, Thomas R. Juneau, Sr. Mr. Juneau will continue to practice with the Juneau David firm in Lafayette, Louisiana. Having represented both plaintiffs and defendants, Mr. Juneau has tried cases in multiple parishes in the State of Louisiana. He is already earning an excellent reputation for his instinctive capabilities at handling speed mediations. Perry Dampf is pleased to announce Mr. Juneau’s affiliation with the firm.

News & Insights
March 9, 2009

Al Miranda served as Judge in ABA’s Mediation Competition

Albert C. Miranda, mediator with Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions, was selected to serve as a judge in the 2009 ABA Representation in Mediation Competition held on March 6-7, 2009 in New Orleans, LA. The first two rounds were held at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. In the final round, held at Loyola Law School, law students role-played as advocates and clients in a mediation setting. The judges measured how well students prepared for and represented clients in mediation. The winners of the regional competition were invited to compete at the National Finals in April 2009 in conjunction with the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution's Spring Meeting in New York, NY.

News & Insights
October 31, 2008

Robert J. Burns, Sr., joins mediation/arbitration panel

Judge Robert J. Burns, Sr., has joined the mediation and arbitration panel of Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions. Judge Burns (Ret.) served as a state court judge in Jefferson Parish for 18 years before his retirement in 1996. Perry Dampf is honored by Judge Burns’s affiliation with the firm and the strong reputation he brings to the mediation group.

News & Insights
October 27, 2008

Perry Dampf contributes to success of Baton Rouge Bar fundraiser

The Baton Rouge Bar Foundation’s Belly Up with the Bar 2008 fundraiser was held on 10/24/2008. Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions was a sponsor and excited to be associated with an event that helps fund the Youth Education Project (YEP), which includes the award-winning Law Day program, Lawyer in the Classroom, the High School Mock Trial Competition, Teen Court and the Legal Explorer Post. YEP’s goal is to “educate the youth of the community about the legal system and their role in it.”

News & Insights
October 15, 2008

Perry Dampf adds Daniel J. Balhoff as special master and arbitrator

Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions is pleased to announce that Daniel J. Balhoff has been appointed a panel member to its mediation, arbitration and special master panels. Mr. Balhoff has been approved and appointed to serve as a court appointed special master. He is a partner in the law firm of Perry Atkinson Balhoff Mengis & Burns and has over 19 years of practice in federal and state trial and appellate litigation, including complex litigation, mass torts, and class actions.

News & Insights
October 13, 2008

Lawyers and judges treated at Ball Maul 2008

The Baton Rouge Bar Association’s annual benefit golf tournament, Ball Maul 2008, was held at the Bluffs on 10/13/2008. Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions was a proud sponsor of the event that benefits the Baton Rouge Bar Foundation. Participants enjoyed golfing on the beautiful course and tournament contests, such as Closest-to-the-Hole, Men’s Longest Drive, Women’s Longest Drive, and Poker Run. Judge Mike Ponder (Ret.), Liz Melancon and Lisa Scalise hosted a sponsor tent stocked with cold refreshments and give-aways.

News & Insights
September 1, 2008

Richard Hymel named “2008 Louisiana Super Lawyer”

Richard Hymel, a mediator with Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions, was named "2008 Louisiana Super Lawyer" by Law & Politics. Hymel practices with Preis & Roy, a Lafayette law firm, with emphasis in Admiralty, Maritime & Energy ~ Wrongful Death, Construction Contracts, Contractual Indemnity and Insurance, Jones Act and Workers’ Compensation.

News & Insights
September 1, 2008

A.J. Krouse attends advanced commercial mediation program

A.J. Krouse attended the Advanced Commercial Mediation Institute presented by the Commercial Section of the Association for Conflict Resolution in collaboration with The Harvard University – Harvard Negotiation Insight Initiative and the American Arbitration Association in Austin, Texas. This program consisted of advanced commercial mediation and ethics education.

News & Insights
August 1, 2008

Brian Homza speaks at LSU seminar

Recent Developments in Legislation & Jurisprudence was the topic for LSU Law Center's CLE seminar on September 25-26. The section on Insurance law was given by Brian A. Homza, who is also a shareholder at Cook Yancey. This professional development course was held at the Shreveport Convention Center. Mr. Homza addressed recent changes in Louisiana insurance law and practice.

News & Insights
April 18, 2008

Scott Love and Al Miranda participate in panel discussion

Scott Love and Al Miranda participated in an LSBA-ADR seminar on 4/18/08 in New Orleans. They participated with Professor Josh Stulberg, of Ohio State University's Moritz College of Law, in a panel discussion entitled "The Model Rules: A Matter of Style". Scott and Al gave their insight to the participants regarding application of the Model Rules to particular fact situations addressing ethical dilemmas.

News & Insights
June 1, 2008

How to prepare your client for mediation

Attorneys approaching mediation know the basics for case preparation. Ensure that all necessary discovery has been completed to allow the parties to fairly and objectively evaluate the case. Conduct a complete exchange of documentation with the other side so that everyone is working from the same set of information. Prepare a position paper to the mediator outlining your case. These steps are critical, but perhaps the most important step in the mediation process is often overlooked: preparing our clients for mediation.

News & Insights
October 1, 2006

Mediations Settlement: Applicability of the Medicare Secondary Payer Act

All attorneys involved in personal injury cases, regardless of whether representing plaintiffs or defendants, need to he aware of the issues presented by the Medicare Secondary Payer Act (MSPA).

News & Insights
February 1, 2003

Mediation: How to Take Litigation out of the Construction Process

In every construction project, disagreements arise. Owners v. contractors. Contractors v. architects. Suppliers v. subs, and so on. Ultimately some of these disputes end up in litigation where, as we know all too well, the only real winners are the lawyers. Some construction professionals have been heard to complain that they spend as much time litigating as they do building!

News & Insights
Date Needed

Mediation Techniques and Why Honesty is Always the Best Policy

Human conflict brings with it an infinite number of intangibles. Parties in dispute are often so mired in these entanglements that they are unable to emerge without professional help. People in conflict naturally turn to litigators for assistance.

News & Insights
Date Needed

Three Rules to Slash the Gordian Knot

In the year 333, Alexander the Great is said to have united his armies at Gordias, the seat of the empire once ruled by King Midas. There, he found a famous chariot fixed to a tree by a rope with an intricate knot, known as the Gordian knot. For over a hundred years, many tried to loosen the knot and failed. None could figure it out. Legend had it that whoever untied the knot would rule the world. When Alexander took to the knot, he couldn’t loosen it either. So, after a while, he drew his sword and slashed through the cord, freeing the chariot.

News & Insights
Date Needed

The Mediation Tennis Match: Do I Charge the Net or Do I Volley?

According to the Supreme Court of Louisiana Annual Report 2011, there were a total of 141,047 civil filings in the state district courts in that year. In the same year, the district courts conducted 267 jury trials. In twenty of Louisiana’s parishes, there were no civil jury trials – none. To put this in perspective, the number of filings in 2011 exceeded the number of jury trials by 140,780. Or stated another way, the number of jury trials in Louisiana was less than 1 percent of the number of civil cases filed in the same year.

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An old mediator's thoughts for the young lawyer

I came out of law school (many, many years ago) fully subscribed to the image of "lawyer-as-gunslinger." Compromise was not part of the picture. Mellowed by the passage of time, dents in my ego, weariness, senility, and hopefully some wisdom, I have come to see that for the person who really matters, the client, litigation is simply not a happy first alternative.

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The Days of Wine and Roses: Paradise Lost or Good Riddance?

The outcry for “ethics reform” in Louisiana was heard in all three branches of government, not just the executive and legislative branches. And, like the other two branches, effective January 1, 2009, the Louisiana Judiciary ushered in a new set of rules governing when, from whom, and under what circumstances its elected judges might accept gifts or other things of value. This article addresses the changes made to Canon 6 of the Code of Judicial Conduct1 – and how those changes might apply to lawyers as well.