Carver, Darden, Koretzky, Tessier, Finn, Blossman & Areaux L.L.C.

Business & Corporate

This group provides advices and services in connection with capital formation, charitable foundations, corporate or partnership formation and structuring, director and officer responsibility, shareholder rights, takeovers, acquisitions and divestitures, mergers, asset transfers, stock transfers and associated intellectual property issues. We also handle general business matters including brokerage contracts, commercial contracts, manufacturing, distribution and franchising arrangements, professional services agreements and outsourcing.

Banking, Finance, Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights

A number of our attorneys practice either exclusively or to a significant degree in the area of banking and financing. We provide legal services and advice in connection with financing transactions, loan agreements, participation and syndication agreements, security devices, UCC transactions, debt enforcement, workouts, debtor-creditor rights, lender liability defense, asset acquisition and disposition, banking and lending, bankruptcy law, equipment leasing and financing, insurance, international trade, letters of credit, liens and privileges, bond financings, and negotiable instruments.

Commercial Litigation

Our attorneys and support staff are experienced in providing a full spectrum of services in this area, including a wide variety of contract disputes, property damage claims, expropriation and condemnation claims, personal injury claims, trespass claims, lender liability claims, insurance coverage issues, unfair trade practices, trade secret claims, patent, trademark and copyright infringement, and bankruptcy litigation. To the extent that some of our larger clients are self-insured, we also defend them against third-party liability claims in the bodily injury, personal injury, and property damage contexts. We are also experienced in commercial mediation, arbitration and administrative proceedings.

Intellectual Property

This practice group obtains, licenses and enforces all manner of intellectual property rights. Advice and counsel is provided in the areas of patent, trademark, copyright, trade secrets, unfair competition, and franchising. Services include litigating infringement and licensing disputes; preparing and prosecuting patent and trademark applications; negotiating licensing; publishing and other intellectual property based agreements; and rendering opinions on a host of issues (including opinions on patent novelty, validity and infringement, copyright infringement and trademark clearance and infringement).

We represent a broad range of clients, including large corporate entities, smaller organizations, start-up enterprises and individuals, all of which are engaged in a variety of endeavors, such as software and information technology, brand licensing, banking, oil and gas, engineering and construction, insurance, franchising, health care, professional services, utility and telecommunication services, retail sales, real estate transactions and development, and manufacturing and distribution. We recognize the increasing importance of intellectual property issues in today’s competitive environment. Our high-quality cost-effective legal services will assist you in protecting, enforcing and licensing your valuable assets.

Labor & Employment

Our labor and employment law group provides advice and representation to management clients in all aspects of labor and employment law. Our areas of practice include compliance with state and federal employment laws and regulations, legal advice regarding personnel practices, policies and handbooks, supervisor training, employment contracts, employee benefits, employment issues involved in corporate restructuring, maintenance of a union-free environment, management rights during union organizing campaigns, collective bargaining, labor arbitration, strikes, wage and hour issues, workplace tort claims, and health and safety in the workplace. Our representation of clients includes employment-related litigation in federal and state courts and participation in proceedings before mediators, arbitrators and federal, state and local administrative agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, National Labor Relations Board, Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the United States Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division. The firm’s labor and employment law clients consists of those engaged in a broad spectrum of industries, including accounting, banking, construction, education, engineering, entertainment, gaming, healthcare, hotel, medical, real estate, retail, service, shipping, technology, transportation and wholesale.

Real Estate

The firm has represented developers, land owners, banks, financial institutions, real estate brokers, tenants and other end-users in the acquisition, construction, lease, sale and development in a myriad of real estate transactions. We represent some of the largest land owners in the State of Louisiana and have handled all stages of development for some of the largest commercial office parks, residential subdivisions, and office buildings in the area. Our experience will guide you through the negotiation, financing, purchase and title of any real estate project you may have.

Insurance Coverage

We focus on representation of individual and corporate policy holders who have disputes with their insurance companies over the proper interpretation and scope of coverage provided by policy terms. Many such disputes are favorably resolved without litigation, but we have successfully argued our clients’ cases in the state and federal courts of both Texas and Louisiana.

We are skilled in the interpretation of many types of insurance policies, including oil and gas exploration package policies, and policies providing coverage for environmental liabilities.  We also help clients interpret and obtain coverage on a variety of maritime policies, reinsurance contracts, and more exotic coverages such as errors and omissions and directors and officers liability policies.