Fearless Elite New Orleans Lawyers

IN THE WORLD OF SOUTHERN LAW, seven local attorneys stand out for their dedication, expertise, and community involvement. Tommy Badeaux, Morris Bart, John Casey Cowley, Kirk Frosch, J. Garrison Jordan, Carolyn Hennesy, and Lindsey Olsen each bring unique talents and passions to their legal practices, shaping the fields of immigration, real estate, family, personal injury, and estate law. Their journeys, marked by a commitment to excellence and service, reflect their professional achievements and their ties to the communities they serve.

TOMMY J. BADEAUX, ATTORNEY AT LAW

A Passionate Approach To Personal Injury Law

When you suffer from a catastrophic injury, you ultimately have to live with the effects for the rest of your life. The 12th anniversary of Tommy Badeaux’s car wreck just passed in early July, and parts of it still feel like yesterday. “Having been in a horrific collision myself— breaking my neck and arm, splitting my head open, injuring my lung,” Tommy explains, is an experience that gives him a unique perspective into his clients’ situations.

Tommy was able to turn lemons into lemonade, converting his negative experience into something positive. He understands his clients, and his sentiment towards them is genuine. He feels a deep sense of accomplishment when he can help people in their most vulnerable moments.

For his many successes, Tommy has been recognized as a Super Lawyer Rising Star since 2020 and a New Orleans Top Lawyer since 2017. While grateful for his accolades, he’s most proud of how they reflect his clients’ wins.

Tommy J. Badeaux, 3500 N. Hullen Street, Metairie, (504) 323.7777, BetterCallBadeaux.com

MORRIS BART, ATTORNEYS AT LAW

Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, and Workers’ Compensation

Leaving A Legal Legacy And Lay Impact

Returning Elite Lawyer Morris Bart is no stranger to our community. In fact, since his legal career launched in 1978, Morris has been the poster lawyer for Louisiana Personal Injury Law. His popularity can only be explained by the ambitious nature he inherited from his father. “My father, who was in real estate and a student of marketing, would say ‘Early to bed, early to rise, work like hell, and advertise!’”

After graduating from Loyola Law School, Morris’s love for community grew alongside his ambitious work ethic. He expanded his firm, Morris Bart Attorneys at Law, to seek justice for all types of personal injury cases. His dedication to his clients’ success is reflected in his numerous accolades, including Gambit Weekly’s Best Attorney, New Orleans City Business Leadership in Law, and the New Orleans Council for Community & Justice Weiss Award.

And, if you are looking to find Morris Bart’s impact on New Orleans, look beyond the billboards. Morris is a top philanthropist, donating over a million dollars to support Second Harvest Food Bank. He has also partnered with the Pelicans NBA Team for multiple causes, including Bart’s Flight School, which encouraged students to receive ‘B’s or Better!’ to earn a special basketball clinic.

Morris Bart, Attorneys at Law, 601 Poydras St., Floor 24, New Orleans, LA 70130 504-525-8000, morrisbart.com

JOHN CASEY COWLEY, EL ABOGADO

Immigration and Injury Law

Serving The Hispanic Community

For John Casey Cowley, owner of EL ABOGADO, the spark that ignited his passion for the law came unexpectedly—in a college acting class, delivering the iconic courtroom monologue from A Few Good Men. But while others pursued the stage, Casey found his calling not in performance, but in purpose. That’s when he knew, he wouldn’t play a lawyer. He’d become one.

The deeper inspiration came from his father. In 1994, Casey joined him on a service trip to Guatemala—his first of many. That experience opened his eyes and his heart, anchoring his career in service and justice. Later, while studying law at LSU, he had another transformative experience with the opportunity to study in Buenos Aires, Argentina. As a young gringo from New Orleans, this exposure shifted his worldview and solidified his desire to advocate for Hispanic communities.

“I love being a voice for the Hispanic community,” Casey says. “It’s not just about law—it’s about walking with people through difficult moments, understanding their journey, and standing up for what’s fair and just.”

And he doesn’t just talk the talk. Casey drives his Mobile Law Center directly into neighborhoods, offering free legal guidance at community events and inspiring young people to see themselves as future leaders. His commitment shows up in partnerships with organizations like Son of a Saint, The Pro Bono Project, and countless grassroots efforts.

When the work gets heavy—as it often does— Casey Cowley reminds himself: the real weight is carried by those fighting for their families, their rights, and their futures. “The pressure I feel is a privilege,” he reflects. “Because it means I’m in a position to help.”

Casey Cowley, EL ABOGADO, 620 North Carrollton Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70119, (504) 485-6554, caseycowley.com

CAROLYN HENNESY, PARTNER

Family Law

Practicing Family Law With Grace And Tenacity

After years in insurance defense, attorney Carolyn Hennesy felt drawn to a more meaningful practice and transitioned to family law, where she could meet the growing need she saw for compassionate, dedicated counsel in emotionally complex situations. The change in legal specialty proved to be the right one for Carolyn. “I derived a great deal of satisfaction from being able to help my clients in a way that I had not before in my prior field,” she reflects.

Navigating the intricate layers of family law, Carolyn balances legal strategy with compassion, prioritizing resolution over conflict, particularly in cases involving children, though she is always ready to bring any matter to a judge when the situation requires it. Equally important, and key qualities she believes make a strong family lawyer are patience and wisdom. Years of helping clients see the bigger picture have given Carolyn both. “Understanding that the work I am doing will affect my clients long after they have left my office means having the patience to show them the future, despite their focus on the immediate issues,” she explains.

Carolyn Hennesy guides her clients through challenging crossroads with compassion and understanding. Her work is rooted not only in legal skill but also a profound commitment to assisting families move forward to a better future.

J. GARRISON JORDAN, CHEHARDY SHERMAN WILLIAMS

Criminal Defense, Family, & Personal Injury

Defending The Defenseless

Two strong entities run through John Garrison “Garry” Jordan’s blood: family and the law. He’s a secondgeneration attorney, married to a lawyer, and spends his time pursuing legislation close to his heart.

After practicing criminal defense law for 33 years, his takeaway continues to be fighting for “Davids among Goliaths,” always defending the underdog. As a member of the Criminal Justice Act Panel in the USDC – Eastern District, he represents defendants who are unable to afford private lawyers.

His most personal pursuit is his and his wife Mary Ellen’s lobbying efforts to pass the Louisiana Revised Statute 14:502 in memory of their late son Graham, who suffered an accidental overdose of fentanyl while attending LSU. This statute would mandate that an individual who witnesses an individual sustaining serious bodily injury, such as an overdose, simply report it and seek medical assistance for the injured party. “If we can help other parents from living this nightmare, all of our work will have been worth it.”

In the courtroom or the Capital, Garry Jordan channels his passion into protecting the vulnerable and making sure no voice is silenced.

J. Garrison Jordan, Chehardy Sherman Williams, One Galleria Blvd., Suite 1100, Metairie, (985) 283.3348, chehardy.com

KIRK FROSCH, MANAGING ATTORNEY OF CRESCENT TITLE’S MANDEVILLE OFFICE

Real Estate Law

Clients Are People First

Real estate attorney Kirk Frosch was in his final year of college when his car was hit by a man who had just been thrown out of Bennigan’s for disorderly conduct. The driver was charged with a hit-and-run offense. The man’s insurance paid for the repair of Kirk’s car, and then requested that Kirk support him in asking the DA to dismiss the hit-and-run charge; Kirk agreed to help.

No good deed go unpunished, however, and the man turned around and sued Kirk, saying he had fabricated the entire story.

Having endured the frustration of his hit-and-run ordeal, Kirk saw a future in providing others with assistance in their times of need. Recalling this realization, Kirk reflects, “I felt helpless. No one in my family knew an attorney. When I did find an attorney, he helped me get the case dismissed. I was so relieved and appreciative that entering Loyola

University School of Law felt like the right path.”

Today, this Perry Mason fan, husband, and dad of twin boys, has been practicing real estate law for 24 years, specializing in residential and commercial closings. Helping others through legal circumstances, just as he was once helped during a difficult time, is something Kirk Frosch considers a blessing.

Crescent Title, 1748 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, LA 70471, (985) 626-3445, crescenttitle.com/northshore

LINDSEY S. OLSEN, ATTORNEY AT LAW

Family Law, Trusts, and Estate Planning

An Advocate And An Ally For Children And Families

Lindsey Olsen always knew she wanted to be a lawyer. From the moment she began her studies at Loyola Law School, she dove headfirst into her legal passion for practicing family law by taking a job at the Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic.

Her expertise in family law has gained her recognition as one of the top attorneys in the Greater New Orleans area. This year, she was voted Best Family Law Attorney on the Northshore by the Times-Picayune. Although her ten years in family law have brought a great deal of fulfillment, especially in advocating for clients who are unable to for themselves, she admits it’s likely one of the most emotionally demanding areas of law. And though she enjoys the fast pace and challenges that come with it, she’s cognizant about setting boundaries with her clients and creating a more harmonious work/ life balance.

Lindsey S. Olsen, Attorney at Law, 2250 7th St., Mandeville, LA 70471, (985) 256.3553, theolsenlawoffice.com