General Information
Year founded:
1986
This is the year the firm (or its earliest predecessor entity) was founded.
Overview
Content is provided by the firm.
Firm Overview: Lugenbuhl serves clients across Louisiana, the Texas Gulf Coast and beyond through experienced attorneys dedicated to solving its clients’ complex legal issues. With offices located in New Orleans, Houston, Baton Rouge and Gulfport, Lugenbuhl is positioned to effectively and efficiently address the needs of its clients. The firm’s diverse group of attorneys has roots across the nation and degrees from top-tier college and law schools. Lugenbuhl attorneys regularly speak and publish on cutting-edge issues in their respective fields of practice. This array of experiences and perspectives allows the firm to respond to clients with a focus traditionally found in larger firms.
Lugenbuhl provides unmatched litigation experience, grown from the its attorneys’ service as lead counsel in complex cases in state and federal courts across the Gulf Coast. The firm provides a full spectrum of transactional and commercial services for industry leaders, small businesses, and individuals alike. The firm specialties include bankruptcy/restructuring, insurance law coverage, commercial litigation, admiralty and maritime, along with general commercial law, civil litigation and real estate practices.
Firm News
February 29, 2024
Lugenbuhl Announces Four New Shareholders
December 28, 2023
Lugenbuhl Attorneys Recognized in 2024 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
November 7, 2023
Lugenbuhl’s Managing Partner, Benjamin Kadden, Named One of CityBusiness’ “Power 50 Most Influential People” in the Greater New Orleans Area
August 17, 2023
Thirty-Seven Lugenbuhl Attorneys Included in 2024 ‘Best Lawyers’ and ‘Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch’ Editions
August 1, 2023
26 Lugenbuhl Attorneys Recognized in the 2023 Inside New Orleans Readers’ Favorite, “Elite Lawyers”
March 1, 2023
Tyler J. Arbour and Aaron M. DeLong Named Shareholders
December 19, 2022
27 Lugenbuhl Attorneys Recognized as 2023 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
November 4, 2022
Lugenbuhl Shareholder Todd Crawford Recognized on Houstonia Magazine’s Top Lawyers in Houston List 2022-2023
September 7, 2022
Lugenbuhl's Ashley Belleau to Moderate and Coleman Torrans to Co-present at 1st Annual Judge Jerry A. Brown Bankruptcy Symposium
August 18, 2022
Twenty-Five Lugenbuhl Attorneys Included in 2023 ‘Best Lawyers’ and ‘Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch’ Editions
August 18, 2022
Benjamin Kadden Honored with ‘Lawyer of the Year’ in Litigation-Bankruptcy in New Orleans
June 22, 2022
Lugenbuhl Shareholder Todd Crawford Recognized on Houstonia Magazine’s Top Lawyers in Houston List 2021-2022
March 7, 2022
Benjamin Kadden, Ashley Belleau, and Alicia Bendana Join the LSBA’s Bankruptcy Law 2022 Webinar Series
February 14, 2022
Benjamin W. Kadden Scheduled to Speak at PLANO Event February 23
January 12, 2022
Ashley Belleau to Moderate a Panel Discussion Entitled 'Aggressive Advocacy or Unethical Bullying?' at ABA’s Fidelity & Surety Law Mid-Winter Conference
December 2, 2021
Benjamin Kadden Co-presenter at LSU Law Center's 27th Annual Bankruptcy Law Conference
November 15, 2021
Lugenbuhl Participates in Inaugural Corporate Classic Benefitting YMCA Educational Services (YES!) Adult Literacy Program
November 8, 2021
Twelve Lugenbuhl Practices Ranked by Best Law Firms
August 19, 2021
Twenty-Three Lugenbuhl Attorneys Included in 2022 ‘Best Lawyers’ and ‘Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch’ Editions
August 18, 2021
Rose McCabe LeBreton Selected to New Orleans CityBusiness’ 2021 Leadership in Law Class
July 16, 2021
Elia Diaz-Yaeger Testifies About Diverse Federal Judiciary in Front of the House Committee on the Judiciary
June 16, 2021
Christopher Caplinger Elected Chairman of Louisiana State Bar Association’s Bankruptcy Law Section
April 28, 2021
Delos Flint Presents to Tulane Law School Maritime Students
January 14, 2021
Two Lugenbuhl Attorneys selected to Houstonia Magazine’s 2020 Houston’s Top Lawyers List
January 11, 2021
Lugenbuhl Welcomes Alicia Bendana to New Orleans Office
January 11, 2021
Lugenbuhl Announces the Loss of Named Partner and Founding Member of the Firm’s Insurance Practice
November 5, 2020
Ten Lugenbuhl Practices Ranked by Best Law Firms
November 2, 2020
Shareholder Elia Diaz-Yaeger Joins New Orleans CityBusiness Magazine's Webinar Series CB Now
November 2, 2020
Eleven Lugenbuhl Attorneys Included in New Orleans Magazine’s 2020 ‘Top Lawyers’ List
September 25, 2020
Lugenbuhl Shareholder Elia Diaz-Yaeger Sworn in as National President of the Hispanic National Bar Association
August 20, 2020
Twenty-Three Lugenbuhl Attorneys Included in 2021 ‘Best Lawyers’ and ‘Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch’ Editions
July 7, 2020
http://www.lawla.com/news/best-lawyers-women-law-business-edition-features-five-lugenbuhl-attorneys-3246/
Rankings
Lugenbuhl, Wheaton, Peck, Rankin & Hubbard is nationally ranked in 1 practice areas and metro ranked in 13 practice areas. Best Law Firms rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process.
Read how Best Law Firms ranks firmsNational Rankings
Tier 2
Tier 2 for Admiralty and Maritime Law
Metro Rankings
Houston
Tier 2 for Admiralty and Maritime Law
New Orleans
Tier 1 for Admiralty and Maritime Law
Tier 1 for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier 1 for Commercial Litigation
Tier 1 for Insurance Law
Firm Leadership
Highlighted Client Comments
All client comments represent the opinions of the people who provided them. All potential clients are urged to remember that no two cases are ever completely alike and that the result in one case does not guarantee a similar result in another case.
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
I have been a client of Lugenbuhl, Wheaton, Peck, Rankin & Hubbard for over 20 years. The firm has provided excellent and cost effective legal services to me and my various ventures. They have provided valuable counsel and legal guidance for my activities in pursuing assets held in bankruptcy.
Larry Rigdon
– Tidewater Inc.
Real Estate Law
My experience is all with the real estate group at Lugenbuhl, Wheaton, Peck, Rankin & Hubbard and primarily Rose LeBreton and Anne Raymond, who are both excellent.
Real Estate Law
Rose LeBreton has stuck with TLC Properties on a very difficult matter that has been appealed and remanded. She understands the importance of the matter to both her client and to Louisiana law. Rose has a deep understanding of the La. Civil Code and has been able to use her knowledge to our advantage and to discredit illogical arguments made by the opposing party.
Wendi Loup
– Lamar Advertising Co.
Real Estate Law
pleased to recommend the firm!
Richard Levin
– Grossberg Yochelson Fox Beyda
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
They have served as my attorneys since 2017. Not only are they knowledgeable in the law but understand business and how it operates.
Kenneth Lefoldt
– Matthew, Cutrer and Lindsay, P.A.
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Prepared to work along with you to deal with unusual Issues. Very helpful at all times.
Gabriel Henn
– LAlumina, LLC
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
The attorneys in Lugenbuhl's New Orleans office are great to work with. I find the team to be practical, creative and great communicators.
John Baumgartner
– Grant Thornton
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Stewart Peck is a knowledgeable attorney in Offshore Bankruptcy matters when working with Baker Hughes.
Admiralty and Maritime Law
I find Lugenbuhl, Wheaton, Peck, Rankin & Hubbard to be very responsive to our needs. They understand our business and the contractual issues involved. Litigation involves a lot of work with my field employees, and they make them comfortable and responsive. They are very conscious of the costs involved in both the investigation of accidents and the lawsuits that follow.
Julie Slocum
– ENSCO Offshore Company
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
I have used Lugenbuhl, Wheaton, Peck, Rankin & Hubbard extensively in regards rights of Owners in Bankruptcy as well as the advantages and drawbacks to filing bankruptcy.
I have used them to investigate purchasing bankrupt companies and taking over construction contracts from Bankrupt competitors.
They have given me great advice on a timely basis that helped my companies succeed.
John Dane
– Trinity Yachts, LLC
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Lugenbuhl, Wheaton, Peck, Rankin & Hubbard has provided my primary legal representation since 2001. They have provided excellent services and will admit when they do not have the necessary capabilities in house, which is rare. They are cost effective in their work and provide great and valuable business advice when appropriate. They have worked with me on mergers and acquisitions, sale of a business, formation of new businesses and joint ventures and assisted in strategy and bidding on assets offered in bankruptcy proceedings. This is an excellent firm in all ways.
Larry Rigdon
– Tidewater Inc.
Rankings
National Rankings
Tier 2
Tier 2 for Admiralty and Maritime Law
Regional Rankings
Houston
Tier 2 for Admiralty and Maritime Law
New Orleans
Tier 1 for Admiralty and Maritime Law
Tier 1 for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier 1 for Commercial Litigation
Tier 1 for Insurance Law
Tier 1 for Litigation - Bankruptcy
Tier 1 for Litigation - Insurance
Tier 1 for Litigation - Real Estate
Tier 1 for Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
Tier 1 for Real Estate Law
Tier 2 for Land Use and Zoning Law
Tier 2 for Trusts and Estates
Tier 3 for Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
Tier 3 for Railroad Law
Practice Areas
The below are areas of legal specialty volunteered by the firm and do not designate a specialty in which a Best Law Firms ranking is held.
- Admiralty and Maritime Law
- Appellate Practice
- Arbitration
- Banking and Finance Law
- Bankruptcy
- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Commercial
- Commercial Finance Law
- Commercial Litigation
- Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
- Community Association Law
- Construction Law
- Contract
- Corporate Law
- Employment Law - Individuals
- Employment Law - Management
- Energy Law
- Environmental Law
- Equipment Finance Law
- Family Law
- Foreclosures
- Immigration Law
- Insurance Law
- Land Use
- Land Use and Zoning Law
- Litigation - Banking and Finance
- Litigation - Bankruptcy
- Litigation - Construction
- Litigation - Insurance
- Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
- Litigation - Mergers and Acquisitions
- Litigation - Real Estate
- Litigation - Trusts and Estates
- Litigation and Controversy - Tax
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
- Mediation
- Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Natural Resources Law
- Nonprofit / Charities Law
- Oil and Gas Law
- Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
- Railroad Law
- Real Estate Law
- Real Property Law
- Ship Financing
- Tax Law
- Title Matters
- Transactions
- Transportation Law
- Trusts and Estates
Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®
Lugenbuhl, Wheaton, Peck, Rankin & Hubbard has 25 lawyers recognized for individual performance in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in
America®.
By receiving this Best Lawyers recognition from their peers for their professional excellence, these lawyers made Lugenbuhl, Wheaton, Peck, Rankin & Hubbard eligible for evaluation for Best Law Firms rankings.
For almost two decades, Best Lawyers has awarded these singular accolades, making them the foundation of our Best Law Firms awards.
Read more about our Best Lawyers process here.
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Client Comments
All client comments represent the opinions of the people who provided them. All potential clients are urged to remember that no two cases are ever completely alike and that the result in one case does not guarantee a similar result in another case.
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Awards
Awards are self-reported by firms and are not verified by the Best Law Firms rankings.
- Best Lawyers® - “Best Law Firms”
-
Chambers and Partners USA Guide
Main Location
New Orleans,
LA
Pan-American Life Center, Suite 2775
601 Poydras Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
United States
504-568-1990
Call our New Orleans, LA location at 504-568-1990
Get Directions
Get directions to our New Orleans, LA location
Office Locations
Baton Rouge,
LA
9311 Bluebonnet Boulevard, Suite A
Baton Rouge, LA 70810
United States
225-291-1990
Call our Baton Rouge, LA location at 225-291-1990
Get Directions
Get directions to our Baton Rouge, LA location
Gulfport,
MS
2501 Fourteenth Street, Suite 202
Gulfport, MS 39501
United States
228-206-0033
Call our Gulfport, MS location at 228-206-0033
Get Directions
Get directions to our Gulfport, MS location
Houston,
TX
801 Travis Street, Suite 1800
Houston, TX 77002
United States
713-222-1990
Call our Houston, TX location at 713-222-1990
Get Directions
Get directions to our Houston, TX location
Management and Personnel
Managing Shareholder
Benjamin W. Kadden
Shareholder
Rodger Wheaton
Shareholder
Ashley L. Belleau
Shareholder
Todd G. Crawford
Shareholder
Stewart F. Peck
Shareholder
S. Frazer Rankin
Shareholder
Kristopher T. Wilson
Shareholder
Ralph S. Hubbard
Shareholder
Nathan P. Horner
Contacts
Significant Matters
Below are matters chosen by the firm to highlight.
- Main Areas of Practice -
Bankruptcy, Restructuring & Creditors’ Rights:
Contact: Stewart Peck | 504 568 1990 | speck@lawla.com Contact: Benjamin Kadden | 504 568 1990 | bkadden@lawla.com
- Represented significant land rig operator in the out-of-court restructuring of approximately $120m of secured debt and $50m of unsecured debt
- Debtors’ Lead Counsel for Gulf Fleet Holdings, Inc., as well as 10 of its subsidiaries and affiliates in Chapter 11 with over $35m in assets and approximately $65m in claims
- Debtor’s Lead Counsel for Bender Shipbuilding & Repair Co., Inc. in Chapter 11 with over $100m in assets and $100m in claims
- Debtor’s Lead Counsel for Torch Offshore, Inc. in a Chapter 11 proceeding with over $125,000,000 in claims and $100m in assets
- Debtor’s Lead Counsel for East Cameron Partners, LP in Chapter 11 proceeding with assets of over $100m and debt of approximately $185m
- Debtor’s Lead Counsel for Conmaco/Rector, LP in a Chapter 11 proceeding.
- Debtor’s Lead Counsel for Sun Drilling Products Corporation in Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Case
- Lead or Special Unsecured Creditors’ Committee in the Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Cases of Burkhalter Rigging, Inc., Midway Oilfield Constructors, Inc., Saratoga Resources, Inc., Trico Marine Group, Force Energy, Equinox Energy, Virgin Oil Company, Inc., as well as others
- Representation of Citicorp North America, Inc. in the foreclosure of Oakwood Mall, a shopping mall in metropolitan New Orleans
- Represented Secured Creditors in numerous Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Cases
Admiralty & Maritime:
Contact: Delos Flint, Jr. | 504 568 1990 | dflint@lawla.com
- NuStar Energy Services v. M/V Cosco Auckland, 760 Fed. Appx. 245 (5th Cir. 2019)
- Chenevert v. Travelers Indemnity Co., 746 F.3d 581 (5th Cir. 2014)
- Canal Barge Co. v. Torco Oil Co., 220 F.3d 370 (5th Cir. 2000)
- Trico Marine Operators, Inc. v. Falcon Drilling Co., 116 F.3d 159 (5th Cir. 1997)
- In re ENSCO Offshore Company, as Owners of the MODU ENSCO 74 for Exoneration from or Limitation of Liability, No. 09-cv-02838 (S.D. Texas – Houston)
Insurance Law - Insurance Coverage & Liability:
Contact: Seth Schmeeckle | 504 568 1990 | sschmeeckle@lawla.com
- La. United Bus. Ass’n. Casualty Ins. Co. v. J&J Maintenance, Inc. et al., (E.D. La. 10/13/16), 2016 WL 6038031
- Maldonado v. Kiewet Louisiana Co., (La. App. 1st Cir. 3/24/14), 2014 WL 120744
- Weinstein, et al, LLC v. Anthony Hinyard D/B/A Acadian Paint Contracting, et al, (La. 3rd Cir. 3/11/13), unpublished
- Burrows v. Executive Property Management Co., (La. App. 4th Cir. 3/12/14), 2014 WL 1028541)
- In re Jillian Morrison, L.L.C., (5th Cir. 6/4/12), 482 Fed. Appx. 872
- Leaming v. Century Vina, Inc., (La. App. 4th Cir. 6/1/05), 908 So. 2d 21
- Little v. USAA Cas. Ins. Co., (5th Cir. 4/2/10) St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co. v. Board of Com’rs of Port of New Orleans, (5th Cir. 3/15/11)