2025-26 Officers
President
Edmund J. Giering IV (2019-2027) Baton Rouge Area Foundation
Giering serves as general counsel to the Baton Rouge Area Foundation and his practice emphasizes corporate law & governance, corporate, real estate & complex gift transactions, risk management, and nonprofit & tax-exempt organizations. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in 1990, a Juris Doctor degree from the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 1994, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the LSU E.J. Ourso College of Business in 2005.
Vice President
Michael J. Mestayer (2021-2028) Michael J. Mestayer, APLC
Mestayer is a solo practitioner in New Orleans, where he handles a broad range of litigation, including admiralty, product liability, and complex civil matters. He received his B.S. from L.S.U. and his J.D. from Tulane University Law School. He is also an adjunct faculty member at Tulane School of Law where he teaches Solo and Small Firm Practice
Treasurer
Charles C. Bourque, Jr. (2023-2029) St. Martin and Bourque
Chuck is a New Orleans native, but currently resides in Houma, where he is a partner in the law firm of St. Martin & Bourque. Chuck graduated in Accounting from LSU and received his Juris Doctorate from Loyola University School of Law in 1990. Prior to entering law school, Chuck served as an officer and helicopter pilot in the United States Army and continued flying helicopters in the Louisiana Army National Guard until he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2011. Chuck is licensed to practice before all state and federal courts in Louisiana and is an active member of the Terrebonne Parish, New Orleans, Louisiana State, Federal, and American Bar Associations.
Secretary
Colleen C. Jarrott
Immediate Past President
Hon. John C. Davidson (Ret.) (2018-2026)
Davidson received his undergraduate and law degrees from LSU. He is a 1988 graduate of the Paul M. Hebert Law School where he was Order of the Coif (an honor awarded to the top 10% of the graduating class), a member of the Louisiana Law Review, and inducted into the Paul M. Hebert Hall of Fame. He was in private practice until his election as a district court judge for the 9th Judicial District Court in November 2004. He retired in September 2023. He remains active in his community and state as a volunteer with local nonprofits and as the Immediate Past President of the Louisiana Bar Foundation.
2025-26 Board of Directors
Mark L. Barbre (2025-2028) Long Law Firm, LLP
Barbre is a native of Baton Rouge and is a partner at Long Law Firm, LLP. He has a diverse civil practice with an emphasis on business and governmental matters. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in 1999 and taught high school upon graduation. He received his Master of Business Administration degree from the LSU E.J. Ourso College of Business in 2005 and his Juris Doctor degree from the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 2006. He is married to his wife, Nikki, and they have two sons.
G. Adam Cossey (2023-2026) Hudson, Potts, & Bernstein, LLP
Cossey is a partner with Hudson, Potts, & Bernstein, LLP, in Monroe, Louisiana, where his practice focuses on civil trials and appeals in Louisiana and Arkansas. He is a graduate of the University of Louisiana Monroe and the University of Arkansas School of Law.
Hon. Marcus L. Hunter (2023-2027) Court of Appeal, 2nd Circuit State of Louisiana
A lifelong resident of Monroe, Hunter attended public schools there. A graduate of the Julia C. Wossman High School in Monroe, Hunter received in 2002 a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Southern University and a Juris Doctor in 2005 from the Southern University Law Center, both in the capital city of Baton Rouge. After being admitted to the Louisiana Bar Association, Hunter opened a small business, United Title of Northeast Louisiana, and is an attorney in Willie Hunter Jr., and Associates, at which he practiced alongside his father and brother. He is married to Dr. Tonya H. Hunter, an OB/GYN and owner/managing member of The Well Woman Center in Monroe. The couple has two children.
Jonathan Johnson (2023-2027) The Johnson Firm
Johnson was born and raised in Moss Bluff, Louisiana. He received Bachelor of Science degrees in both accounting and civil law, and ultimately, a Juris Doctorate from Louisiana State University. He joined The Johnson Firm in Lake Charles in 2006 and manages both domestic and personal injury cases. Today he is the managing partner of the firm.
Teresa D. King (2024-2026)
King founded her law firm in 2016 and remains the sole practitioner at Teresa King, Esquire, LLC, located in downtown Houma. Teresa brings a passion for social justice to her private practice and her work as a public defender for the Lafourche Indigent Defender’s Office. Teresa has spoken for continuing education seminars and non-profit banquets. She has also inspired and fired up local business owners in the Women’s Business Alliance. Her focus remains on helping people, one at a time, and making a difference, one case at a time. Although she primarily represents people in criminal cases, Teresa sees value in advocating for access to justice. Collateral consequences affect many people in the criminal justice system, and, by addressing equal opportunities for access to justice, the Louisiana Bar Foundation makes a difference.
Jason Matt (2025-2028) Matt & Allen
Jason Matt is a managing partner at the Law Offices of Matt & Allen, in Lafayette, practicing plaintiff personal injury law. In 2006, he received his B.S. from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Mechanical Engineering, and in 2010 he obtained his J.D. from Loyola College of Law in New Orleans. Immediately following law school, he returned to Lafayette and served as a federal law clerk in the Western District of Louisiana before joining Matt & Allen. He has served on various community boards and committees.
Barbara Bell Melton (2023-2026) Faircloth Melton and Sobel, LLC
Melton is a Member at Faircloth Melton Sobel & Bash, LLC, and her practice primarily consists of commercial litigation and transactions for both small businesses and large companies. She received her undergraduate degree from University of Louisiana in Lafayette and her J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. Melton has served on numerous committees and boards for local and state bar associations.
Paula E. Miles (2023-2027) Louisiana Public Defender Board
Miles currently serves as General Counsel at the Office of the State Public Defender. She previously served as President of the Alexandria Bar Association, Executive Board member of the Crossroads Inns of Court and Chairperson of the Rapides Parish Domestic Violence Task Force. She received her B.A. from Xavier University of New Orleans and her J.D. from Loyola Law School of New Orleans. She is happily married to her husband Russell and they have two children, Jessica and Joshua.
Sheri Morris (2023-2027) Daigle Fisse & Kessenich
Morris is a partner with Daigle, Fisse & Kessenich, where she manages the Baton Rouge Office. Her practice is focused on representing local and state agencies in a broad range of civil matters. She previously served as General Counsel to the Louisiana Secretary of State, an Assistant Attorney General, and the City Attorney for the City of Central. She received a B.S. in Psychology from Louisiana State University and a J.D. degree from the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 1991.
Anthony J. Staines (2023-2026) Staines, Epplining & Kenney, LLC
Anthony J. “Tony” Staines was born in Belize, British Honduras. He received a Bachelor of Science from the University of New Orleans in 1976 and earned a Juris Doctorate from Louisiana State University Law Center in 1980. Following law school, Tony served a judicial clerkship with the Honorable Frank J. Poloza, United States District Court, Middle District of Louisiana. In addition to his regular practice, he has served as a delegate to the Louisiana State Bar Association; has been a member of the faculty for the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy; a participant in Professionalism Orientation for the Louisiana State Bar Association; has presented articles to the admiralty committee of the Maritime Law Association and has presented at the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute Seminar. Tony has also participated in pro bono litigation in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, and is a Board Member of the New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy. Tony is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeal, Fifth and Eleventh Circuits, United States District Courts, Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Louisiana, and all Louisiana state courts. He is married and the father of three sons.
Hon. Karelia R. Stewart (2024-2025) Judicial District Judges Association Designee, First Judicial District Court
In August of 2014, Judge Karelia R. Stewart was elected without opposition to Section 1, Division D of the First Judicial District Court. By Order of the Louisiana Supreme Court, she took the bench in her official capacity on October 1, 2014. She is currently assigned in the Family Court Division. She is a merit scholar and 2004 honor graduate of Loyola School of Law in New Orleans and a 2001 cum laude graduate from Dillard University in New Orleans.
Brooke Tigchelaar (2025-2028) Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann L.L.C.
Tigchelaar concentrates her practice in family law, including divorce, property partition, custody, and support. She regularly handles high-conflict situations, intricate property partitions, and evolving custody and support agreements for high-net-worth individuals. She is skilled in conflict resolution, delivering sound guidance and service to each client with discretion and compassion. Tigchelaar also has experience in commercial litigation, including general business litigation and products liability disputes.Tigchelaar was recognized by Chambers and Partners in the High Net Worth Guide for Family/Matrimonial Law, as a "Top Lawyer" by New Orleans Magazine, and most recently, by Best Lawyers for Family Law. She has previously been recognized as a Rising Star by Louisiana Super Lawyers and as a Leadership in Law honoree by New Orleans CityBusiness. She received her J.D., magna cum laude, from Loyola University College of Law and her undergraduate degree from Tulane University. She is a Fellow of the Louisiana Bar Foundation and is also involved with volunteer programs, including staffing of the self-help desk for pro se litigants. Tigchelaar has previously served on the board of Louisiana Appleseed. She joined Stone Pigman in 2008.
Edward J. Walters, Jr. (2024-2025) LSBA Board of Governors Designee, Walters Papillion Thomas Cullens
Walters is a partner in the Baton Rouge law firm Walters, Thomas, Cullens. He received his B.S. from LSU in 1969 and his J.D. from the LSU Law School in 1975. He has practiced in the Baton Rouge area for over 48 years representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases. He is Board Certified in Civil Trial Advocacy and Civil Pretrial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocates and is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. He is an adjunct professor of law at the LSU Law School where he and Mike Patterson have jointly taught a trial skills course entitled “Advanced Trial and Evidence Seminar” for over 25 years. He is on the faculty of the LSU Law School’s Trial Advocacy Program since its inception some 25 years ago. He is a frequent lecturer and writer on litigation, evidence, ethics and professionalism topics. He was the editor of the Baton Rouge Bar Association's monthly magazine for over 34 years. He is the current President Elect of the Louisiana State Bar Association.
