Hudson, Potts & Bernstein is the oldest and largest law firm in northeast Louisiana. Our rich history, strong knowledge of Louisiana courts and laws, and trusted client relationships are hallmarks of our business. We regularly engage in the practice of a wide range of civil law matters, representing individual, business and corporate clients in both state and federal courts. HP&B specializes in several traditional areas of the law, including real estate, business transactions, wills, estate planning, personal injury cases, employer liability and worker’s compensation, as well as more specialized areas, including insurance defense, transportation, taxation, products liability, medical malpractice and media law.

Hudson Potts & Bernstein has attorneys who are licensed to practice law in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We serve those areas and all cities surrounding our region of north and central Louisiana including Monroe, Shreveport, Alexandria, Ruston, Natchitoches, Jonesboro, Winnfield, Winnsboro, Vidalia, Ferriday, Marksville, Vicksburg, Natchez and Jackson.

Latosha Chisley v. Antney D. Coleman and USA Agencies Casualy Insurance Company
Mark J. Neal on December 4, 2007 successfully convinced the Louisiana Second Circuit Court of Appeal to overturn a lower court judgment awarded against the defendant, our client. The lower court previously awarded a judgment in excess of the defendant’s liability limits. Mark convinced the court of appeal that the plaintiff failed to establish insurance coverage for the loss in question. The court of appeal reversed the judgment, dismissing the plaintiffs’ demands. Read more.

Craig Henry listed in Louisiana Super Lawyers 2008
Congratulations to Craig Henry who was named in Louisiana Super Lawyers 2008 as one of the top lawyers in the state in the field of Banking.

Martha Foster, et al v. Joe Ford & ANPAC Louisiana Insurance Company, et al
In Martha Foster, et al v. Joe Ford & ANPAC Louisiana Insurance Company, et al, Mark J. Neal represented the defendants in a jury trial. The 44 year old plaintiff allegedly sustained permanently disabling inner ear injuries secondary to a minor motor vehicle accident. The plaintiffs in closing arguments sought compensatory damages in excess of $1,200.000.00. Mark suggested an award of $10,000.00. The jury awarded $10,600.00.

Barnes v. Riverwood Apartments Partnership
On March 17, 2007, Mark J. Neal earned our client a dismissal in a jury trial. In the matter of Ralph Barnes v. Riverwood Apartments Partnership, the plaintiff maintained he sustained injury when he stepped into a subsurface hole which had developed near his apartment complex. The plaintiff sought compensatory damages in excess of $1.1 Million. The jury determined our client didn't own the immovable property on which the injury occurred and that the defendant could not have know of the alleged defect prior to the accident. The case was earlier dismissed on summary judgment roughly three years ago, but in a reported decision the Second Circuit Court of Appeal overturned the earlier ruling on a question of law.

Barton v. USAgencies, Cas. Ins. Co., et al
Mark J. Neal successfully persuaded the Louisiana Second Circuit Court of Appeals to affirm a lower court decision dismissing our client by way of summary judgment. The lower court ruled the defendant insurer's policy holder did not give the driver of his automobile permissive use to drive his vehicle prior to a motor vehicle accident. The lower court ruled our client therefore did not afford insurance coverage for the plaintiff's alleged damages. Read more.

Succession of James Greer v. Darryl Mills, et al
J.P. Christiansen was successful in getting a UM claim against his client dismissed on a Motion for Summary Judgment and affirmed by the Second Circuit Court of Appeal. He was able to uphold the validity of a UM waiver signed by the insured. Read more.

Jessie Mae Hargrove v. Ezell Goods, et al
Brian Allen recently persuaded the Louisiana Second Circuit Court of Appeals to affirm a trial court's ruling dismissing our clients via motion of summary judgment. Both courts ruled that our clients, firefighters, were entitled to statutory immunity for their actions in extinguishing a residential fire. Read more.

Bobby Clark, et al v. State of Louisiana through the DOTD
Brian Allen successfully earned a dismissal for his client on a Motion for Summary Judgment in the 6th Judicial District before Judge Charles E. Brackin. The plaintiffs had alleged that the defendant had failed to take reasonable steps in removing a large tree limb that had fallen across a state highway and that this faliure caused an unreasonable risk of harm to the traveling public.

Robert and Sharon Glover v. Church Mutual Ins. Co, et al
J.P. Christiansen received a zero verdict for his client in a Jury Trial before the Fourth Judicial District Court. The parties had stipulated that the defendant was at fault for causing the accident, but the jury found that the plaintiffs were not injured as a result of the accident.

Johnson v. City of Bastrop
Mark J. Neal handled a succesful appeal of a lower court decision dimissing our client in a negligence case. The plaintiff claimed injuries in a one car accident alledgedly caused by an unseated manhole cover in a roadway. The lower court dismissed our client because it did not have prior notice of the condition. The court of appeal affirmed. Read more.

Mor-Tem v Mike Shore
Brian Bowes received a favorable result for our client when all claims of intentional interference of contract and wrongful conversion of property were dismissed via summary judgment and sanctions awarded for plaintiff's filing of frivolous lawsuit ordering plaintiff to pay attorney's fee.

Power Marketing Direct v. Chris Foster
J. P. Christiansen successfully got the Louisiana Supreme Court to reverse the Court of Appeal and reinstate the Judgment of the trial court, annulling a default Judgment that had been obtained against his client on a contract dispute. Read more.