W O M E N
I N
Elizabeth Sconzert
Mental wellbeing may seem an unlikely focus for an attorney. For Elizabeth Sconzert, however, it is her passion.
B U S I N E S S
Anna Tusa
Since 1995, Anna Tusa has been devoted to the New Orleans restaurant industry. As owner of the New Orleans Creole Cookery and Briquette, Anna enjoys serving guests in comfortable atmospheres with first class service.
Elizabeth has been a partner in the Blue Williams Mandeville office since
Briquette is housed in the former Rodd Brothers Molasses Refinery.
2013 and with the firm since 2009. She practices medical malpractice defense,
Nestled in the Warehouse District, Briquette features a contemporary, yet
insurance defense, healthcare law and commercial litigation. Her concern for mental
casual, restaurant interior marked by a signature open kitchen. “Our 18-foot
health and wellbeing fits hand-in-hand with her career. She says, “My dad is a
seafood display is filled with fresh sea bass, halibut, steelhead salmon,
physician, and I grew up in a science-minded family. I naturally gravitated toward
Louisiana redfish, and many other seafood favorites that are caught daily,”
healthcare law.” Elizabeth received both her undergraduate degree in English and
says Anna. “Fresh and whole fish are our specialties, prepared over red-hot
her juris doctorate from Loyola University and was admitted to the bar in 2005.
briquettes.”
In addition to providing counsel for a myriad of legal concerns that
The building’s history still lives in the restaurant’s tables and 800-bottle
healthcare providers and facilities can face, Elizabeth assists Lakeview Regional
wine cuvée made from its recovered heart-of-pine wood. “We welcome our
Medical Center with unique behavioral health issues, helping the hospital to
surrounding neighbors to use our space as their living room,” Anna says. “With
protect its patients. She also volunteers her legal assistance to underprivileged
Wi-Fi and plug-ins, our community tables allow you to visit with your neighbors
families with children who have mental illness or disability.
while enjoying a coastal contemporary meal, crafted cocktails and more.”
“Every case is different, and there’s always a human element that drives
In the French Quarter, Anna hosts guests at the New Orleans Creole
me to do more,” Elizabeth says. She volunteers time to the Safe Haven project
Cookery. The courtyard, oyster bar and dining room offer a mixture of settings
and serves on the NAMI board. This year, she received the Women’s Choice
to enjoy traditional Creole food. The restaurant is able to accommodate 20 to
Award from Professional Women of St. Tammany and the Citizen Lawyer Award
3,000 guests for events of all sizes.
from the Louisiana State Bar Association. Furthering her mental-wellbeing focus, Elizabeth co-owns Bayou Yoga, a
Anna serves as President of the French Market Corporation Board of Directors, is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs Small Business program, and is
Mandeville Power yoga studio, where she inspires the community to “empower
a member of the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, which is the oldest and
your being.” She uses her knowledge of mental health law and involvement
largest food and wine society in the world.
with the Northshore Specialty Courts to introduce yoga to sectors of the community that can most benefit from it. At Blue Williams, Elizabeth’s focus on wellbeing serves her well as a
“At both restaurants, I enjoy getting to meet people from all over the world,” Anna explains. “Seeing their positive reactions to our dishes and their interactions with our staff makes my job very fulfilling.” When not welcoming
member of Blue Williams’ Diversity and Community Action Community. She
guests, Anna enjoys traveling, eating and experiencing new cultures with her
says, “I am passionate about women empowering women. As women, we don’t
husband, A.J.
build ourselves up enough—we want to change that, and we will.” To view menus and learn more, visit briquette-nola.com or To learn more about Blue Williams, L.L.P., visit bluewilliams.com. 54
Inside New Orleans
neworleanscreolecookery.com.