Jay P. Adams
Member
Arson Litigation
Northeast Louisiana’s oldest & largest firm
The name Louisianahas trustedfor 150 years.
Thirteen attorneys. Nineteen practice areas. One uncompromising standard — upheld before the U.S. Supreme Court and every court between here and it.
Every conversation held in strict confidence· By appointment
- 1875
- Established
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- Attorneys
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- Practice areas
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- States served
Oldest active firm in the American SouthArgued before the U.S. Supreme Court264 years of combined experience
The Firm
For a century and a half, this region’s families and businesses have turned to one firm for steady, principled counsel.
Founded in 1875, the firm began in banking, corporate, and insurance law and has grown over a century and a half into a full-service regional practice — serving clients from Fortune 500 companies to individual families across Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas. One of the oldest active law firms in the American South, it has never lost what built it: judgment, discretion, and counsel that holds up.
150 years of counsel
What we do
Nineteen practice areas. Five disciplines.
II
Transactional & Business
The people
Counsel you’ll know by name.
Margaret H. Pruitt
Member
Health & Healthcare Law
Stephen A. North
Member
Banking and Commercial Lending Transactions
Robert M. Baldwin
Member
Business & Commercial Law
Jason R. Smith
Member
Insurance Law
Sara Griffin White
Member
Insurance Litigation
G. Adam Cossey
Member
Commercial Litigation
Brian P. Bowes
Member
Commercial Litigation
Morgan Livingston
Associate
Real Estate
Donald H. Zeigler III
Member
Arson Litigation
Anslee W. Berry
Associate
Adoption
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Years of practice
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Combined years of experience
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States served
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Practice areas
A standing earned, not advertised
Across a hundred and fifty years, this firm’s partners have gone on to serve as state supreme court justices, federal judges, legislators, and mayors. The counsel that helped shape Louisiana has always begun here— quietly, and by reputation.
What to expect
Answers before you call.
How do we begin?
A private conversation. We'll listen, tell you candidly where you stand, and be honest about whether we're the right firm for your matter.
Is my inquiry confidential?
Entirely. Every conversation with the firm is held in strict confidence from the first call, whether or not we go on to represent you.
What should I bring?
Whatever you have — documents, correspondence, notes. If you're unsure, bring nothing. We'll tell you what matters and guide it from there.
Who will handle my matter?
You'll work directly with the attorney responsible for your matter — thirteen attorneys, one of whom is right for your situation.
From the desk
Recent insights.
Real Estate Law
Bond for Deed in Louisiana: How Owner Financing Works and Where It Goes Wrong
A bond for deed lets a buyer purchase Louisiana property through payments to the seller while the seller keeps title until the deal is paid off. This overview explains how the arrangement works, common pitfalls, and what northeast Louisiana buyers and sellers should understand before signing.
Creditors' Rights
Wage Garnishment in Louisiana: Limits, Exemptions, and the Process
Wage garnishment in Louisiana follows federal and state rules that limit how much of a paycheck a creditor can take and protect certain kinds of income. This overview explains the process, common limits, and exemptions in plain terms for northeast Louisiana readers.
Creditors' Rights
Louisiana's Open Account Law: Collecting on Unpaid Business Invoices
Louisiana treats many unpaid business invoices as open accounts, with special rules that can affect how and when a creditor seeks payment. This overview explains the concept in plain terms for northeast Louisiana readers.
Legal Radar
Recent headlines we’re tracking.
- KTVE/KARDArkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin has announced a settlement of $32 million to $80 million tied to claims of PCB environmental contamination. The agreement addresses those contamination claims in the state.
- Arkansas Supreme CourtThe Arkansas Supreme Court has released a matter tied to its Committee on Civil Practice. The filing addresses recommendations to amend Rule 54(b) of the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure and Rule 4(a) of the Arkansas Rules of Appellate Procedure—Civil. It is designated 2026 Ark. 132. Court website material linked to the item shows a last-modified date of October 1, 2026. The extracted source identifies the subject as those recommended rule changes but does not include the wording of the proposals, the committee’s full report, or any further description of court action beyond the title and docket-style heading.
- Arkansas Supreme CourtThe Arkansas Supreme Court has posted a matter titled In re Arkansas Supreme Court Committee on Civil Practice, addressing recommendations to amend Rule 54(e)(2) of the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure. The item is labeled 2026 Ark. 133 and is tied to October 1, 2026, on the Arkansas Courts site under Supreme Court opinions, court rules, and administrative orders. The source material identifies the subject as recommendations from the court’s Committee on Civil Practice. It does not include the wording of any proposed amendment, the committee’s full report, or any further action described in the available text. The page otherwise reflects standard court website navigation and does not supply additional case details beyond the title and citation reference noted above.
Speak with us
Bring us the matter that keeps you up at night.
A confidential consultation with the firm Northeast Louisiana has stood behind since 1875.
(318) 388-4400Held in strict confidence· By appointment