William E. Steffes has been practicing complex bankruptcy law since 1978. Mr. Steffes received both a B.A. and a J.D. from Louisiana State University and graduated Order of the Coif. In addition, Mr. Steffes was a member of the Louisiana State University Law Review and Phi Kappa Phi Honor fraternity.

    Mr. Steffes is licensed to practice in the United States Supreme Court, all Louisiana and Texas state and federal courts, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. In addition, Mr. Steffes has appeared pro hac vice in many bankruptcy courts, including:  Mississippi, California, Oklahoma, Georgia, Massachusetts, Puerto Rico, Hawaii and New York in connection with various reorganization proceedings.

    In 2005, Mr. Steffes was inducted to the American College of Bankruptcy. In addition, he is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association, Baton Rouge Bar Association, and American Bankruptcy Institute. Mr. Steffes has held the highest attorney rating by Martindale-Hubbell, an AV rating, and has been included in Who’s Who in American Law and Best Lawyers in America for many years. Mr. Steffes was recognized as one of the Top 50 Lawyers by Louisiana Super Lawyers 2007 and as one of the preeminent specialists in the field of Bankruptcy Creditor/Debtor Rights.

    Arthur A. Vingiello has been a practicing attorney since 1978, emphasizing complex bankruptcy law, business litigation and commercial litigation since 1984. Mr. Vingiello received his B.A. from Millsaps College and his J.D. from Louisiana State University. He is licensed to practice in all Louisiana state and federal courts, and in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

    Mr. Vingiello is a board certified business bankruptcy law specialist and has represented individual and corporate debtors-in-possession and creditors in numerous Chapter 11 and Chapter 12 reorganization cases and in cases under Chapters 7 and 13. In addition, Mr. Vingiello handled the only Chapter 9 bankruptcy case ever confirmed in Louisiana.

    Mr. Vingiello has held the highest attorney rating by Martindale-Hubbell, an AV rating, for many years. In addition, Mr. Vingiello is an active member of the pro-bono panel of the Baton Rouge Bar Association, accepting representation for indigent parties through that panel. Mr. Vingiello is the author of Fifth Circuit Symposium:  Oil and Gas, 33 Loyola Law Review 831 (1987). Mr. Vingiello was recognized as one of the preeminent specialists in the field of Bankruptcy Creditor/Debtor Rights by Louisiana Super Lawyers 2007.

    Gary K. McKenzie has been practicing bankruptcy law, business litigation and commercial litigation since 1989. Mr. McKenzie received his B.A. from the University of Southwestern Louisiana and his J.D. from Louisiana State University. He is licensed to practice in the United States Supreme Court, all Louisiana state and federal courts, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

    Mr. McKenzie is a board certified business and consumer bankruptcy specialist. In addition, he is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association, Baton Rouge Bar Association and American Bankruptcy Institute. Mr. McKenzie has held the BV rating by Martindale-Hubbell for many years, indicating a very high legal ability and standard of ethics.

    Patrick S. Garrity began practicing in 1995. His primary practice areas are business bankruptcy, consumer bankruptcy, commercial litigation and business litigation. Mr. Garrity is certified as a business bankruptcy specialist by the American Board of Certification and Louisiana State Bar Association, and is licensed to practice in all Louisiana state and federal courts, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

    Mr. Garrity has held the BV rating by Martindale-Hubbell for many years, and has been included in Best Lawyers Consumer Guide for Business Law and Personal Injury. In addition, he is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association and Baton Rouge Bar Association.

    Mr. Garrity received a J.D. from Southern University in 1995 and graduated cum laude. He received a B.A. from Louisiana State University in 1991. While at Louisiana State University, Mr. Garrity played baseball and was a member of the 1991 College World Series championship team.

    Michael H. Piper, a native of New Orleans, has practiced law for over thirty years. After attending Louisiana State University where he majored in finance, Mr. Piper received his J.D. from the Tulane University School of Law in 1972. He is licensed to practice before the Louisiana Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth and Sixth Circuits, as well as the federal district and bankruptcy courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana. Mr. Piper has appeared pro hac vice in federal district court in California and in bankruptcy courts in Kentucky and New York. He is a member of the Baton Rouge Bar Association.

    Mr. Piper practices in the areas of business bankruptcy, commercial workouts and commercial litigation. He has lectured for the National Business Institute and had materials selected for publication by Matthew Bender & Co. Before joining the firm, Mr. Piper practiced in New Orleans and Metairie, Louisiana, including having worked as an attorney and vice-president of Hibernia National Bank in New Orleans and as an officer and member of the boards of directors of several local businesses. Mr. Piper is a former member of the Louisiana Pan American Commission and served as a lieutenant in the United States Army in 1973.