We're here to help
The attorneys in this office limit their practice to defending lawsuits against people like you who are insured by Allstate or one of their subsidiaries. They represent you and will exercise independent professional judgment in your defense.
Understand the process
Take a few minutes to look over this page and get to know the next steps. The more you know about the litigation process, the better.
Meet your team
Take some time to meet your legal team. While your case is pending, you will likely talk to several members of the firm, including your attorney, paralegals, and administrative assistants.
Got questions?
If this is the first time you have been involved in a lawsuit, you likely have questions. We've put together some frequently asked questions to assist you.
The litigation process
What is litigation?
Contesting a legal action in court.
First steps
How to begin the initial steps of your defense. Your legal team will ask you to fill out a detailed questionnaire. Someone from our office will speak with you to discuss the details of your case.
Discovery
What we need to help prepare your case. We will collect information relevant to your case during the "discovery" phase. You may be asked to give a deposition. But your lawyer will be with you.
Resolution
The different ways your case can be finalized. If appropriate, we'll meet with the plaintiff's lawyer to discuss the possibility of settlement. Each case is different. Most do not go to trial and are settled or dismissed.
Glossary
- Discovery
When attorneys learn about their client's case and the other side's case by examining all of the relevant documents, photos, emails, etc. - Deposition
A meeting with your attorney in front of a court reporter where you will give your testimony under oath administered by a court reporter. - Mediation
A meeting before an independent third party who attempts to work out a settlement between the parties. If the case does not settle, it continues through the court system. - Arbitration
Both sides present their case and the arbitrator decides who wins. The arbitration decision may be final, or one party may reject the decision, letting the case proceed through the court system until there is a resolution.
Staff counsel attorneys
Here's the team of attorneys available to defend you.
James A. Stapp
Lead Counsel
Loyola University, B.A.
Louisiana State University Law School, J.D.
Practice Location: New Orleans, LA
Email me
Phone: 504-275-7623
Martin A. Belanger, Jr.
Attorney at Law
Tulane University School of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: New Orleans, LA
Email me
Phone: 504-273-3144
William D. Dunn, Jr.
Attorney at Law
Louisiana State University, B.A.
Tulane University, J.D.
Practice Location: New Orleans, LA
Email me
Phone: 504-453-9741
Wade Johnson
Attorney at Law
University of New Orleans, B.A.
Tulane University School of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: Louisiana
Email me
Phone: 504-547-4516
David Henry Kennedy
Attorney at Law
Louisiana State University, B.A.
Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert Law Center, J.D., B.C.L.
Practice Location: New Orleans, LA
Email me
Phone: 504-275-7199
Blake J. Lusk
Attorney at Law
Louisiana State University, B.A.
Louisiana State University Law School, J.D.
Practice Location: New Orleans, LA
Email me
Phone: 504-407-7392
LaClaire Matthews Mitchell
Attorney at Law
Loyola University, B.A.
Southern University Law Center, J.D.
Practice Location: New Orleans, LA
Email me
Phone: 504-422-8352
Tyson G. Moss
Attorney at Law
Dillard University , B.A.
Southern University Law Center, J.D.
Practice Location: New Orleans, LA
Email me
Phone: 504-858-7743
Barbara B. Ormbsy
Attorney at Law
Louisiana State University, B.A.
Louisiana State University, J.D.
Practice Location: New Orleans, LA
Email me
Phone: 504-729-8950
H. James Parker
Attorney at Law
Drury College, Springfield, IL, B.A.
Loyola Law School, New Orleans, LA, J.D.
Practice Location: New Orleans, LA
Email me
Phone: 504-452-7223
Eric H. Veith
Attorney at Law
St. Thomas University School of Law, J.D.
Practice Location: New Orleans, LA
Email me
Phone: 504-327-0565
Jonathan R. Villien
Attorney at Law
Loyola University, B.S.
Tulane University , J.D.
Practice Location: New Orleans, LA
Email me
Phone: 504-460-2904
Support staff
Administrative assistants and paralegals work closely with staff attorneys. Please contact us with any questions, concerns, or other issues you may have.
Fax: 877-810-8936
Frequently asked questions
Do you have some general questions? Our FAQs might help. But if you don't find your answers below, feel free to contact our office. Your attorney and the attorney's support staff will be happy to assist you.
Throughout the litigation, you may be required to: answer written questions called interrogatories, give oral testimony under oath at a recorded proceeding called a deposition, and testify at an arbitration hearing and/or a trial. We will give you as much notice as possible of events requiring your presence. To do so, it is extremely important you notify us of all changes to your address, telephone numbers (home, business, mobile), and email address.
Although each case is different, the average lifespan of a case is about one to two years. If your case is one of the few that goes to trial, this time frame may be doubled.
Do not discuss this case with anyone except a representative of your insurance company or the staff of this office. Contact this office if you receive any communication regarding this case from anyone other than a representative of your insurance company or this office.
Our role is to defend the claim that has been filed against you. We do not represent you on a claim that you might want to file against anyone else. If you feel that you may have such a claim, you should contact your personal attorney immediately, at your own expense, or pursue such a claim on your own. There are strict time limitations on actions for damages. Any claim that is not brought within the time limitation may be lost forever.
You must avoid using a workplace device (computer, tablet, smartphone, etc.) or any system (for example: a public library computer) where others are able to read information sent to or by you. Communications between you and your legal team can only be kept confidential if they are not disclosed to third parties. If you use a company owned device and your employer has a policy reserving the right to access employees' email correspondence sent using company devices, you may lose the right to keep these communications confidential.
Your legal team may email forms for you to complete and return. If you provide information (including any attachments) that contains personal information such as someone's name and address, social security number, date of birth and/or personal health information, you should respond by U.S. mail. If, however, you do use email containing personal information, the email (including attachments) must be encrypted, password protected and the password shared with your legal team in a separate and confidential communication to better protect the information from being viewable by unintended persons.
Keeping in mind the above precautions, you can email the firm or individual members of your legal team at the addresses provided on this website.
No. Do not communicate with others about this case on the internet in any forum.
It's crucial that we always have your current address, telephone numbers, and email address. If you move or will not be accessible for an extended period of time using the contact information we have for you, please let us know as soon as possible and give us your new or temporary contact information.
Also, we need your responses to the questionnaire that we enclosed with our letter of representation.
Contact
Please contact us with any questions, concerns, or other issues you may have.
Law office of James A. Stapp
3850 North Causeway Blvd.
Suite 108
Metairie, LA 70002
Fax: 877-810-8936
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