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.

Willie Pritchard v. Village of Pioneer
Brian Allen successfully represented the Village of Pioneer in a case where the plaintiff alleged that the defendant has falsely arrested him in connection with a theft from a local business. The plaintiff also alleged he had been discriminated against and that police officers damaged his property. The Court granted the defendant's motion for summary judgment on all issues.

Carol Smithwick, et al v. The Town of Farmerville, et al
Brian Allen won a zero verdict for the Town of Farmerville in this slip and fall case. Plaintiff alleged that she was entitled to $6.49 million in damages when she stepped into a small depression located on unimproved town property. In dismissing plaintiff's claim, the Court found that the Town of Farmerville did not have actual or constructive knowledge of the depression. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals has recently affirmed the dismissal.

Defense Research Institute
The firm is please to announce Mark J. Neal has been appointed the Defense Research Institute's Louisiana State Representative.

Trevor S. Fry v. Jeffrey Deville, et al
Mark J. Neal, in the Grant Parish, Louisiana, matter of Trevor S. Fry v. Jeffrey Deville, et al, persuaded the lower court to dismiss the plaintiff's claims for wrongful death by way of summary judgment. At issue before the court was whether a UM policy issued to the plaintiff's deceased parent afforded UM benefits to the non-insured wrongful death plaintiff. The court concluded the policy did not furnish UM benefits to the non-insured plaintiff.

Hudson, Potts attorneys attend DRI conference in Las Vegas
Robert Baldwin and Jay Adams recently attended the Products Liability Seminar in Las Vegas of the Defense Research Institute.

Ralph LeCroy v. Interim Health Care Staffing of North Louisiana, Inc, et al
J. P. Christiansen recently obtained a favorably verdict for his client in a nursing malpractice case tried before a jury in Ouachita Parish. In the case, the plaintiff claimed to have suffered brain damamge as a result of a respiratory arrest caused by our client. However, the jury came back with a low damage award consistent with a rejection of the plaintiff's allegations that he had sustained a brain damage injury.

Denetrius Bryant Vs. Direct General Insurance Company
Jay Adams recently obtained a zero trial verdict on an issue of contested liability in an automobile accident case. As the defendant crested a hill on a rural highway, he was confronted by plaintiff's vehicle stopped directly in front of him and a second vehicle, driven by plaintiff's husband, had stopped in the oncoming lane. The Court found that even though defendant admitted he was traveling between 65-70 mph in a 55 mph zone, his speed was not a substantial factor in the accident, as the evidence established that the accident was unavoidable due to the fault of plaintiff and her husband, even if the defendant had been traveling at 55 mph.

Tanner v. USAgencies
Adam Cossey successfully defended USAgencies in a trial arising out of an automobile accident. Plaintiff claimed that the defendant struck the rear of her vehicle, resulting in continued medical problems. However, Adam convinced the court that the plaintiff failed to meet her burden in proving our client's insured driver was liable, resulting in a verdict dismissing all of plaintiff's claims.

Mark Neal attends DRI meeting
Mark Neal recently attended the Defense Research Institute's annual convention in Chicago.

Smith v. LSU Health Science Center-Monroe
Jay Adams won a dismissal for his client in a medical malpractice claim. The suit arose from an allegation that plaintiff had been administered two medications and that the provider had failed to warn the plaintiff of the inherent dangers in taking the second medication, which was allegedly contraindicated. Plaintiff claimed this failure resulted in congestive heart failure.

J.P. Christiansen gives presentation on Workers Compensation Law
J.P. Christiansen recently gave a presentation on Workers Compensation Law to a group of workers compensation adjustors. The presentation was entitled "Wait, is this accident covered under workers compensation?"

Westbrook v. Allstate
Brian Allen successfully defended the defendant in a suit for arbitrary and capricious denial of an insurance claim. Plaintiff had made an insurance claim alleging that various items had been stolen from his home. The claim was denied by the defendant. The Court dismissed the lawsuit against the defendant via a Motion for Summary Judgment.

Brian Bowes and J.P. Christiansen speak to Better Business Bureau
Brian Bowes and J.P. Christiansen recently gave a talk to members of the Better Business Bureau at their Lunch & Learn series. J.P. and Brian gave a presentation of Louisiana Employment Law.

Benson, et al v. The Town of Delhi, et al
Brian Allen and Robert Baldwin successfully represented the Town of Delhi in a case where the plaintiff alleged that the defendants falsely arrested the defendants, racially discriminated against them and committed other acts in violation of their constitutional rights. The Court granted the defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment on these issues.

Mark Neal joins Board of LADC
The firm is pleased to announce that Mark J. Neal was recently elected to the Board of Directors for the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel.

J.P. Christiansen joins Diplomats
J.P. Christiansen has now joined the Diplomats of the West Monroe/ West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce.

Debbie Worley v. Allstate Insurance Co.
Jay Adams successfully defended Allstate in a trial in which plaintiff asserted underinsured motorist claims, obtaining a zero verdict on all claims. Plaintiff, a stock broker, was unable to prove any loss of wages claim resulting in a complete dismissal against Allstate.

Marcia Chunn v. Brookshires Grocery Company a/b/a Super One Foods, et al
Trey Zeigler successfully represented the defendants in a trial involving an alleged trip and fall accident on a wrinkled floor mat in the produce section of a grocery store. The plaintiffs had sought $174,000.00 in total damages. Trey convinced the Court that plaintiffs failed to meet their burden of proving that store personnel created the condition of the mat or had actual or constructive notice of the condition. Accordingly, the Court rendered judgment in favor of defendants, completely absolving them of any fault.