Bastrop, LA

Alex W. Rankin

Alex W. Rankin is a member attorney at Rankin, Yeldell & Katz, focusing on personal injury, accidents, real estate law, commercial collections and transactions, probate law, family law, and social security disability. He was admitted to practice in Louisiana in 1967 and has served in the U.S. Army JAGC.

Ross Downs, Jr.

Our founding attorney, Ross Downs, began practicing personal injury law in 1993.

Stephen J. Katz

Stephen J. Katz is a member attorney at Rankin, Yeldell & Katz, focusing on personal injury, auto accidents, insurance defense, professional liability, medical malpractice defense, family law, bankruptcy law, employment law, school law, commercial litigation, commercial transactions, and real estate. He was admitted to practice in Louisiana in 1972.

Hayden Downs

Hayden Downs is an Arkansas native and moved to northeast Louisiana to pursue her legal career with the Downs Law Firm. Hayden received her Bachelor's of Science in Sociology from the University of Central Arkansas in 2015. She went on to receive her Juris Doctorate and Masters in Public Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, William H. Bowen School of Law in 2018. Hayden married Earl Ross Downs, III, in 2018, and together they have made Louisiana their home. Hayden is a licensed Louisiana attorney and notary. She was named one of Who's Who Among Students in Colleges & Universities, awarded the Dean's Certificate of Public Service, and is a member of several honor societies. Hayden has been exposed to personal injury law for several years now, and also clerked for the Honorable United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas, Judge Richard Taylor.

Earl Ross Downs III

Earl Ross Downs, III, is a Bastrop native who graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with his Bachelor's of Science in Insurance and Risk Management in 2014. Earl Ross also earned his Master's in Business Administration in 2015. He then received his Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, William H. Bowen School of Law in 2018. As a licensed Louisiana attorney, Earl Ross has been exposed to personal injury and accident law his whole life. After marrying his wife Hayden, they moved back to his hometown to serve their community.

James E. Yeldell

James E. Yeldell was a founding member of Rankin, Yeldell & Katz, specializing in real estate and probate law. He was admitted to practice in Louisiana in 1961 and served as an Assistant District Attorney.

Emily Downs

Emily Downs is a Bastrop native who graduated from Louisiana State University with her Bachelor of Science Degree in 2017. Emily then received her Juris Doctor from Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center in May 2020. She also holds a graduate diploma in Comparative Law. While in law school, Emily gained valuable experience working at the Louisiana Department of Justice under Attorney General Jeff Landry in the Public Protection Division. She also completed an externship under Judge Phillip M. Lester in Bastrop City Court. Emily attended Ouachita Christian School and returned to northeast Louisiana after receiving her degrees. She has since made Monroe her home. Emily is a passionate attorney who cares tremendously about both her clients and community.