Thibodaux, LA

William “Will” Abel

Will has spent tens of thousands of hours developing his civil litigation practice by personally drafting pleadings, conducting depositions and discovery, briefing and arguing motions, and ultimately taking cases to mediation, arbitration, and trial. He now leads a team of devoted legal professionals dedicated to ensuring Abel Law Firm continues to provide high-quality legal services to its clients. Will receives case referrals from attorneys near and far, and he enjoys debating the finer points of civil procedure, trial and litigation strategy, and other legal facets that only an attorney could appreciate. Will’s practice focuses on serious personal injury cases, large commercial disputes, and other complex civil litigation matters. Will also serves as outside general counsel to local businesses operating in the construction, development, transportation, maritime, and oil & gas service industries.

Andrew William Wise

Andrew W. Wise is an attorney with over 30 years of experience in the Louisiana court system. He specializes in criminal defense, DWI, and family law, with over 25 years of experience in criminal defense, including time as a prosecutor. His practice also covers estate law, personal injury, Social Security, and real estate transactions.

Brett Landry

Brett Landry is an associate attorney and a native of the Houma-Thibodaux area. Brett graduated from South Terrebonne High School in 2017, and in 2020 earned his Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication at LSU. In 2023, Brett graduated from LSU’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center, earning his Juris Doctorate, Graduate Diploma in Comparative Law, and a Graduate Certificate in Energy Law and Policy. During his time in law school, Brett stood out for his trial advocacy skills, competing for LSU in annual trial competitions. Following graduation, Brett served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable F. Hugh Larose in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Brett has a deep passion for complex civil litigation, particularly in the areas of construction law, contract disputes, personal injury, and oil & gas policy. Brett has served two terms as President of the Lafourche Parish Bar Association and serves on the Louisiana State Bar Association House of Delegates.

Benjamin Comeaux

Benjamin Comeaux is an Attorney at Law who previously served as a police officer. He graduated cum laude from Southern University Law Center in 2014, after earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Nicholls State University in 2009. During law school, he interned for the Orleans Public Defenders Office and the Honorable John L. Weimer of the Louisiana Supreme Court, and also worked as a Judicial Law Clerk. He is licensed in Louisiana (2014) and Texas (2022). Benjamin focuses his practice on criminal defense, expungement, personal injury, and family law, including divorce and child custody. He is known for his compassionate representation and aggressive courtroom advocacy, aiming to help clients achieve positive resolutions. He is a member and past President/Treasurer of the Lafourche Parish Bar Association and a member of the Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department. His awards include Litigator of the Year (2018) from the American Institute of Trial Lawyers and Top 10 under 40 (2018, 2019) from the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys.

MATTHEW ORY

Matthew D. Ory has recently founded Ory Law Group where less becomes more. Matthew believes in taking on fewer cases in order to ensure frequent communication with his clients while paying attention to every detail of your case. By implementing this approach, Ory Law Group is able to provide optimal outcomes for each and every client. In his eighteen years of practicing law, Matthew Ory has developed a reputation as a tenacious trial lawyer who implements strategic approaches that resonate with a jury. He has extensive experience trying cases throughout South Louisiana. The grandson of Clarence C. "Taddy" Aycock, former Louisiana Lt. Governor under governor Jimmie Davis, Matthew grew up in an environment that instilled values of confidence and hard work that still guide him today. Matthew currently serves as the president of the Colonel Athletic Association (CAA), president of Louisiana Baseball Academy (LBA), and co-founder of the non-profit organization ThiboGrow. Matthew is a major proponent of community involvement and is heavily engaged in local initiatives.

Nicholas J. Zeringue

Nicholas J. Zeringue is an accomplished attorney with almost 20 years of front-line experience. He prepared himself well to pursue a career that combines his dual interests in the law and all things business, completing his Juris Doctor and MBA at the same time in 1997. He has practiced business law vigorously, establishing a reputation as a savvy commercial litigator and a well-proven insurance defense counselor. He litigates cases from filing through appeal, in both the state and federal court systems. His extensive, personal knowledge of the lands and waters throughout the Gulf South has made him an invaluable legal partner for his many clients in the maritime industry. He also has prior experience as in-house counsel and part of the management team for the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans. As an Attorney-Mediator, he has an insider’s understanding of ADR methods and processes. He is also a POST-trained and certified law enforcement officer and serves as a reserve deputy. He sits on the all-volunteer Civil Service Board for the City of Thibodaux, currently serving his second term as the Board’s Chairman.

Steve Wanko

Steve Wanko, a native of New Orleans, founded Wanko Law Firm, LLC in 2004, focusing on representing Louisiana workers’ compensation claimants. He has over 20 years of experience, successfully trying over 30 judge and jury trials and handling complex appeals. He is a member of the Louisiana Workers’ Advocates, Workers’ Injury Law & Advocacy Group, and Louisiana Association of Justice.