Seale & Ross PLC

Products And Services

• Business and Commercial Representation

  At Seale & Ross, we represent creditors in bankruptcy litigation, defense of employment discrimination and injury claims, and defense of liability claims against professionals. Businesses which are active in commerce occasionally require legal assistance to cope with contractual disputes, employee claims, insurance coverages, financial and banking concerns, and the complexities of government regulation and taxation. When they have these needs, it is imperative that their legal counsel be fully fluent in the language of the marketplace. Seale & Ross business lawyers can assist clients with understanding the legal environment in which their businesses operate, recommending practical and well-considered approaches to their difficulties. Problem solving is a collaborative process where Seale & Ross business lawyers work with the client’s other trusted advisors—accountants, bankers, insurance agents—to develop solutions to specific problems and best practices to cope with general ones.

  Link: Business and Commercial Representation

• Business Disputes and Commercial Litigation

  Even the best managed businesses can have legal problems now and then requiring dispute resolution or formal litigation. Seale & Ross regularly defends and prosecutes claims for commercial clients on the Northshore and throughout Louisiana, whether they are “mom and pop” operations, multi-national corporations, or something in-between. Our approach is to take early, aggressive steps to help the client adopt the most efficient and cost-effective process for bringing appropriate results to contentious situations. Many times that includes mediating a problem with an adverse party willing to discuss reasonable terms of resolution at the outset of an issue, or failing that, fully litigating the client’s rights in the proper judicial forum. Our Litigation team practices in all Federal and State Courts in Louisiana, as well as in a few neighboring states. Whether the problem is contractual, employment-rooted, or something else of a commercial nature, Seale & Ross strives to work closely with the client to establish realistic goals, create viable solutions, and achieve cost-conscious results in line with the client’s expectations.

  Link: Business Disputes and Commercial Litigation

• Banking, Finance & General Business Counseling

  Our business clients often need help in finding commercial banks, mezzanine lenders, or even private equity firms to assist them in providing capital for expansion. We work with the clients’ accountants to help identify the types of loans or other resources required, and then assist in documenting their loan requests and locating lenders to meet those needs. In connection with that work we are frequently asked to negotiate the terms and assist in loan closings. We also represent banks and credit unions in negotiating workouts of troubled credits. We are often called on to serve as lenders’ counsel in structuring loans and perfecting loan documentation. Finally we have specialized experience in collecting loans through foreclosure and in bankruptcy court. We provide highly personalized service and accessibility which discerning bank clients can appreciate. And we can work on a variety of different compensation arrangements with bank clients to meet their needs for management of special assets.

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• Insurance Coverage for Businesses and Individuals

  Our seasoned lawyers and litigators are often called upon by business clients and individuals to review complex insurance coverage issues on all manner of policies, including those insuring clients for commercial general liability, automobile liability and underinsured motorists protection, professional liability, worker’s compensation, life and health, property and premises liability, etc. Whether evaluating insurance coverage in the context of a claim already made, or as an exercise to determine if the types and amounts of coverage are appropriate for the client’s level of risk, the firm offers sound advice based on the best legal research available. A corporate “tune-up” often includes an evaluation of a business’ insurance portfolio, such as discussion of applicable exclusions, gaps in coverage, limits of coverage, endorsements, etc. A review of personal insurance coverage, likewise, focuses on identifying areas of liability exposure, appropriate deductibles and limits of insurance, premium cost-effectiveness, and asset protection. Allow us the opportunity to review and address your insurance coverage questions, whether simple or complex.

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• General Business

  We provide general business consulting and counsel to a variety of businesses, both small and large. The company may be in the start-up phase and need counsel related to entity formation, an operating agreement, licensing, intellectual property matters, or contract review and negotiation. Or, the business may be long-established with needs regarding its ongoing contracts, employer-employee relationships, corporate governance, intellectual property, insurance, financing, acquisition of a new business, sale of the company, transfer of interests, private placement, or succession planning. We have experience working with many different sized business in various industries. Also, with three board-certified tax specialists, we provide counsel to businesses about various federal and state tax credits and incentives that may be available to them, such as the Angel Investor Tax Credit, Restoration Tax Abatement, Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit, Enterprise Zone credits, and research and development credits.

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• Casualty Defense

  Our Casualty Defense Group aggressively defends corporations, business owners, insurance companies, and individuals against personal injury and property damage claims. Our lawyers have over a 100 years of combined experience in successfully representing clients in actions arising from industrial accidents, premise liability claims, product liability claims, medical malpractice claims, professional liability claims, exposure to chemical substances, construction and commercial liability claims, mold litigation and asbestos exposure, and medical device and pharmaceutical claims. We have successfully defended our clients in all areas encompassing commercial and general liability and professional liability involving multi-million dollar claims.

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• Wills, Estate Planning, Taxation and Successions

  With three board certified[1] estate planning and administration specialists, two of which are also board certified tax law specialists, Seale & Ross provides a full range of estate planning services, from simple to complex, for traditional as well as non-traditional families. We offer the basics, such as simple wills, tax-saving wills with trusts, powers of attorney, living wills, and revocable trusts. We specialize in more advanced planning for business generational transfer and eliminating or reducing the federal estate tax. Sophisticated tools in these plans may include intentionally defective grantor trusts (IDGT), qualified personal residence trusts (QPRT), various charitable remainder trusts (GRITS, GRATS, GRUTS), and holding companies such as family limited liability companies or family limited partnerships. Adding to these capabilities our extensive experience in elder law and Medicaid planning, and you have truly found the law firm to meet your estate planning needs. Our attorneys likewise have extensive experience in the fields of Trusts and Successions. Whether an estate is simple, such as a small estate concluded by affidavit, or complex, requiring administration or perhaps where litigation has already commenced or is anticipated, Seale & Ross is again well-qualified to assist you. We bring the same talent to you in all facets of trust administration, whether advising the trustee on general duties and accounting, or management of complex trust property such as intellectual property rights or producing mineral interests; advising beneficiaries and protecting their rights under the trust; and representing the trustee or beneficiary in litigation where necessary or unavoidable.

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• Construction Law and Litigation

  The construction practice group at Seale & Ross advises and represents Owners, Contractors, Subcontractors, Suppliers, and Lenders in all areas of the construction industry from contract preparation and negotiation to construction litigation in federal and state courts, as well as mediation and arbitration. The construction practice group lawyers are experienced in advising their clients in construction contract negotiations and drafting, contract management, claims avoidance, claims preparation, and litigation of construction disputes. They have a broad range of construction industry experience from representing clients in complex multi-million dollar construction projects and disputes, to representing clients involved in residential homeowner’s issues. The construction practice group lawyers have drafted multi-million dollar public and private contracts and represented Owners, Contractors, Subcontractors, and Suppliers in multi-million dollar disputes involving public and private construction projects. Construction law and litigation involves unique technical knowledge of the design process, the construction process, the roles of design professionals, contractors, and subcontractors and an understanding of the relationships between those parties. The lawyers of the construction practice group have experience in handling simple and complex construction litigation in state and federal courts, as well as resolving claims through alternative dispute resolution using mediation and arbitration. The lawyers of the construction practice group focus on strenuously representing their client’s interests while pursuing the most reasonable course for resolving their client’s claims. At Seale & Ross, we focus on providing services to our construction industry clients that will assist them in more efficiently pursuing their businesses. General Areas of Experience Contract Review Contract Negotiation and Preparation Construction Document Forms Construction Management Litigation, Mediation and Arbitration Construction and Design Defects Construction Delays Construction Change Orders Contract Payment Issues Construction Contract Disputes Site Conditions Design Professionals, Errors and Omissions Insurance and Surety Claims We represent Owners and Lenders, both in the public and private sector, in construction disputes with regard to the design, construction and completion of complex building projects, whether the claims are brought in courts of law or in arbitration. These claims involve a wide variety of matters from defense of Chinese drywall claims and individual homeowner claims to claims involving large governmental projects with millions of dollars in dispute. Construction litigation involves a deep technical knowledge of the design process, the construction process, the roles of design professionals, contractors, and subcontractors and an understanding of the relationships between those parties. The complexity of construction litigation increases with the dollar amout of the contracts because of the additional parties to such claims (e.g., material suppliers, building trades, subcontractors, etc.). The successful construction litigator looks for solutions before trial dates or arbitration dates where possible, but must be prepared to put on a thorough case if the dispute proceeds on the merits.

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• Commercial Transactions

  Our services include representing individuals and businesses in the purchase and sale of real estate properties, the negotiation of mergers & acquisitions of business entities, and in other financed transactions for banks and their borrowers. We often assist clients in developing financing alternatives, including negotiation of mortgage or other asset-based loans from traditional lenders, and equity financed transactions through private placement.

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• Employment Law and Litigation

  We represent both small and large businesses in three main areas related to laws governing the employer-employee relationship. First, in a preventative approach, we provide counsel and training on day-to-day matters an employer may face such as employment policies and procedures, handbooks, employee disciplinary actions and terminations, employment agreements, compliance, record keeping requirements, and unemployment insurance and worker’s compensation claims. Next, we assist employers involved in proceedings before the EEOC that face charges of discrimination. Finally, in the event litigation ensues, we help businesses defend lawsuits by current or former employees, including claims of discrimination (based on disability, age, race, etc.), retaliation, equal pay violations, harassment, and whistleblower and other federal and state law violations. We also represent employers who must institute litigation against a former employee for various acts, including his violation of a non-competition agreement or non-solicitation agreements, or his improper use of confidential information and trade secrets.

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• Domestic Litigation & Family Matters

  We represent spouses who are caught in the turmoil of divorce and the related problems of child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support and separation of community property. Our partner Nicole Dillon devotes a large portion of her practice to this most important work. We develop a plan of action most economic and effective for our clients whether that be mediation or litigation. Our goal is to cause the least distress for our clients during the trying time of divorce or custody litigation. In order to avoid many of the unnecessary struggles of a divorce, we also offer premarital planning, including prenuptial agreements. This type of planning can be a beneficial tool to avoid spousal disputes related to family estates and separate property.

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• Commercial Real Estate and Development

  Seale & Ross has extensive experience in a full range of commercial real estate matters. Our services include representing individuals and businesses in the purchase and sale of real estate properties, as well as developers in the negotiation, acquisition and subdivision of property. We also represent lenders and borrowers in real estate secured loan transactions We handle the examination of title to real estate, evaluation of title exceptions, and negotiation of title insurance policies. We also handle the negotiation and preparation of office, retail and other commercial leases and long-term ground leases, as well as servitudes, partitions, and a myriad of other real estate transactions Our attorneys are also experienced in litigation in the real estate arena. We have represented real estate owners, buyers, sellers, lessors, lenders, homeowners and condominium associations and developers in litigation involving contract disputes, mechanics liens and construction disputes, title disputes, loan service and foreclosure issues, and bankruptcy.

  Link: Commercial Real Estate and Development