TOP ATTORNEY 2022

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RICHARD E . GRIFFITH

DIVORCE

CHILD CUSTODY

ADOPTIONS

SPOUSAL SUPPORT

Shreveport native Richard E. Griffith practices in all areas of family law including adoption, child custody, community property, divorce, and support issues. He has been in private practice for more than 20 years and prides himself on assisting clients through highly emotional issues involved in custody and divorce proceedings. You want a lawyer you can trust will give you the whole picture and promote your best interest both inside and out of the courtroom,” said Richard, who earned his law degree from LSU in 2000. Richard especially loves doing adoptions. Having been adopted at birth by two wonderful parents, he feels a personal connection with his adoption clients. There is nothing more rewarding than joining families together in a bond of love. It is one of the few times everyone leaves the courtroom happy.”

Richard is a member of the American Bar Association, Louisiana Bar Association, and Shreveport Bar Association. He has been recognized by SB Magazine as one of Shreveport Bossier’s Top Lawyers for the past 17 years. The American Institute of Family Law Attorneys recognized him as one of the Top Law Firms in Louisiana 2017–2022. He was recognized in the Three Best Rated Divorce Lawyers for 2019–2022. He is Boy Scout Troop Committee Chair for the Shreveport Elks sponsored Troop 5, an Eagle Scout, and a member of Broadmoor Baptist Church.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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TOP ATTORNEY 2022

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JOSHUA K. WILLIAMS

PERSONAL INJURY • CRIMINAL LAW

Joshua K. Williams was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. He is a 2003 graduate of Capt. Shreve High
School. In 2009, Williams received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of New Orleans. He went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from Southern University Law Center in 2013. During his time at Southern University, Williams served as 3L Class Representative and the director of corporate relations for the Southern Region of the Black Law Students Association. Williams was also a junior staff writer for the Louisiana Public Defender.

Williams was hired straight out of law school in 2014 by the late Caddo district attorney Charles Scott as a misdemeanor assistant district attorney in Judge Katherine Dorroh’s court. He spent five years fighting for victims and conducted over twenty jury trials as First Chair resulting in a 96 percent conviction rate. Williams has presented at numerous continuing law enforcement trainings for the Shreveport Police Department and the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office.

During his time at the DA’s Office, Joshua also maintained a part-time private practice where he primarily assisted clients in personal injury matters.

In December 2019, Williams transitioned into private practice full-time. He now fights for injured parties as well as those charged with crimes across Louisiana.

Williams is an active member of the Louisiana State Bar Association. He is a graduate of the 2016-17 LSBA Leadership Class, and served as the Eighth District Representative for the LSBA Young Lawyers Division from 2016-2020. Williams served as the 2021 Mock Trial chair for the SBA Young Lawyers Division. He also handles child in need of care cases in juvenile court.

He enjoys giving back to his community through several organizations, including Community Renewal International. He also supports Shreveport Parks and Recreation athletic and youth programs.

9284 LINWOOD AVE SHREVEPORT, LA 71106

P. 318.562.1140 • F. 318.562.1141

WWW.JOSHUAKWILLIAMS.COM

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TOP ATTORNEY 2022

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JOHN HARRIS

ESTATE PLANNING

FOR LOUISIANA

SUCCESSIONS INTERDICTIONS

SAFEGUARDING YOUR SIGNIFICANCE

John Harris with Estate Planning for Louisiana is overjoyed to once again be selected as a Top Attorney! By addressing the challenges presented in recent years head on, the firm has been able to continue to thrive and lead more families to success with their Estate Planning and Succession needs.

The focus of the firm has always been to help families “Safeguard their Significance.” In order to do that, John and his team develop relationships with their clients and really dive into what the clients hold most important. By asking many questions and listening intently, John is able to ascertain those relationships and possessions that create significance for the client and design a plan in order to achieve exactly what the client desires to accomplish.

“The backbone of our firm is education. Clients need their attorney to break down a complicated matter into straightforward, easy to follow segments so they can decide whether they need a Last Will and Testament, Revocable Living Trust, or Irrevocable Trust as the correct Estate Plan to meet their individualized needs and concerns,” said Harris. When it comes to handling a deceased family members estate settlement, Harris stated, “Clients come to me when making stressful decisions or confronting the hurdles of handling the home or assets after the death of a loved one. Our firm helps clients navigate these difficult waters with compassion and professionalism.”

The firm’s down-to-earth approach has worked wonders in assisting clients through a variety of areas many people try to avoid, including the complicated considerations of step-family planning, preservation of hard-earned assets from the devastating costs of nursing homes, the interdiction process necessary when a parent has lost the ability to care for themselves, and the convoluted area of Estate Tax Planning for those individuals with large estates. “We know the most common reaction in our world today to these types of matters is procrastination. When we can help clients transition these challenging areas into something they know is manageable, we have done our job well,” stated Harris.

7591 FERN AVE #1303, SHREVEPORT, LA

318.408.1400

WWW.ESTATEPLANNINGFORLA.COM

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TOP ATTORNEY 2022

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BECKY VISHNEFSKI

FAMILY LAW & MEDIATION

There are plenty of divorce and custody lawyers in town. But within five minutes, prospective clients know that Becky Vishnefski is a different breed of lawyer. Friendly and outgoing, Becky instantly puts clients at ease. She takes the time to explain the process and answer their questions. Clients say that Becky is compassionate and cares about their cases. Clients also appreciate that Becky is a straight talker. Becky says that clients hire her to help them win their case, not to tell them what they want to hear.

Becky has a special rapport with her clients. Besides a virtual receptionist that schedules new client consultations, Becky has no support staff. She communicates directly with her clients. This allows her to develop a better relationship with them. It also means that she knows their cases thoroughly. Clients appreciate Becky’s accessibility. While she does not keep regular office hours, she is always available to meet by appointment. Becky even offers Saturday appointments.

Becky has had a diverse range of experience. She prac- ticed labor and employment law with Cook, Yancey, King & Galloway for several years. Becky then served as a law clerk to the Honorable S. Maurice Hicks, Jr., United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. Becky eventually opened her own practice as the owner of Castillo Law Firm, LLC., a bilingual firm which represented clients in family law and immigration matters, civil litigation and criminal defense. Becky’s current practice as owner of Vishnefski Law Firm, LLC concentrates exclusively on family law and mediation.

Becky earned her undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University in Shreveport in 1997. She received her law degree in 2000 from the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center, where she was the Articles Editor of the Louisiana Law Review and a member of the Order of the Coif. She also represented LSU on the 1999 National Moot Court Team. Admitted to practice in 2000, she served as a law clerk to the Honorable Frank J. Polozola, United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana.

Becky truly feels like she is helping people and making a difference in their lives. In addition to her law practice, Becky is also qualified to mediate family law and civil disputes.

Becky grew up in Shreveport. She currently lives in Bossier with her husband David, who is a detective with the Bossier Sheriff’s Office. Becky’s son Patrick Castillo, who lives in Shreveport, is a cyber security analyst. Becky’s newest love is her grandson, Thomas Gerard Castillo, who was born on Halloween 2021.

628 STONER AVE. SHREVEPORT, LA 71101

318.562.6942

WWW.VISHNEFSKILAW.COM

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TOP ATTORNEY 2022

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A.J. HODGES, IV

CRIMINAL DEFENSE

Andrew Jackson Hodges, IV, brings al- most 30 years of extensive criminal trial experience to his clients throughout northwest and central Louisiana. His practice is dedicated to serious criminal, white collar, and DWI/DUI defense.

Born and raised in Shreveport, Andrew graduated from Captain Shreve High School and attended LSU Baton Rouge, where he earned a degree in Criminal Justice. Graduating from Southern University Law Center, Andrew served as a Judicial Criminal Law Clerk in the 19th Judicial District Court. From 1996 until 2002, Andrew handled thousands of criminal cases and tried numerous felony jury trials as staff attorney for the East Baton Rouge Parish Public Defender’s Office. In 2002, he became special counsel to Keogh, Cox and Wilson, Ltd., managing the firm’s criminal practice until 2015.

Andrew is a lifetime member of the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (LACDL), and past president of the Baton Rouge Bar of Criminal Justice. He also has the distinction of serving for more than a decade as Judge Pro Tempore in Baton Rouge City Court. “Sitting as judge provided a unique and invaluable perspective. Rarely does a lawyer have the opportunity to try cases as a judge, and then use those skills to better assist clients in private practice.”

Andrew knows that facing criminal charges can be a terrifying experience. “I pride myself on being accessible to my clients at any time, and you will have comfort knowing I am there to get you through the process and resolve your case to your complete satisfaction.”

In his spare time, Andrew volunteers and serves as Vice President of the A.J. and Nona Trigg Hodges Foundation, which operates the non-profit Louisiana Ecological Forestry Center at Hodges Gardens in Sabine Parish.

Andrew is married to Shreveport native and real estate broker Susannah Rice Hodges, and both returned to their hometown of Shreveport in 2011, where they are raising daughters Katherine and Elizabeth. He is an avid drummer and guitar player, photographer, writer, and wine collector, and is equally at home div- ing and spearfishing the oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico as he is in his kitchen preparing great dishes for friends and family.

“South Louisiana was a wonderful experience, but Shreveport is and has always been our home! We could not be happier raising our family here and are proud to serve the great people of north Louisiana.”

416 TRAVIS ST SUITE 1004 SHREVEPORT, LA 71101 LOCAL 318.990.1089

800.640.1954

AJHODGESATTORNEY.COM

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TOP ATTORNEY 2022

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THAXTON TITLE, LLC

LUKE THAXTON

COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL

REAL ESTATE LAW

Everyone is excited when purchasing a home and for any kind of property transaction, you’ll want a title attorney to work with your team. Understanding the importance of having a reputable title company in a real estate transaction is the first step in making one of the biggest investments of a lifetime.

Shreveport native Luke Thaxton believes the most important part of the job in a real estate transaction is communication. “Most people are not familiar with the process. It’s our job to research the title, prepare the legal documents to facilitate the transfer, and communicate with the other parties involved in the transaction. Our firm focuses on communicating to the client where we are in the process, at all times.”

The Thaxton Law Firm has been providing the crucial services needed for residential and commercial real estate transactions for over ten years. Working with clients, responding quickly and efficiently to their needs, and maintaining a high- er standard has made for a successful practice. “I enjoy the people. I get to build relationships with so many people in our city, such as, realtors, lenders, and mortgage brokers, nurses, doctors, military, government employees, business owners, and teachers, for example.” He credits his team for working together to accommodate clients and form relationships.

A title search for the property you wish to invest in is only the beginning. It’s also one of the most important duties that pro- vides a history of the rights and interests of your potential purchase. This may include:

• Secondary or junior mortgages
• Lines of Credit
• Judgments
• Demands
• Liens
• Unpaid taxes
• Special assessments
• Other legal issues specific to the area

To ensure that the title is as clear as possible from any hidden problems, title insurance is essential. Protection from fraudulent ownership claims and any other unforeseen issues that may arise is a guarantee that you will be free from any risk.

From conducting a title search and issuing title insurance to serving as the closing agent for your transaction, Thaxton Title, LLC makes buying a home a little less stressful. Thaxton believes a Title Attorney should be someone who has great attention to detail, but also has the ability to be extremely personable. “At Thaxton Title, we make the closing process fun and enjoyable for everyone involved, while at the same time ensuring everyone understands all the details of the transaction.”

Thaxton Title serves all of Louisiana including Bossier, Caddo, Webster, and DeSoto parishes. Working with Thaxton Title as a part of your mortgage closing process prevents you from encountering potential problems. Thaxton Title and Thaxton Law Firm goes above and beyond to uncomplicate an otherwise complicated real estate closing. By crossing all the “t’s” and dotting all the “i’s” as well as acting as a mediator between the buying and selling party, you can rest assured that all the necessary documentation will be signed, sealed and delivered.

Luke Thaxton graduated from C.E. Byrd High School, earned his Bachelor of Science from Louisiana state University- Shreveport and graduated from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan. Upon graduation, Luke was admitted to the Louisiana State Bar, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, Western District of Louisiana, and the United States Court of Appeal, Fifth Circuit.

He has served as a Member-at-Large on the board of the Shreveport Bar Association, Member-at-Large on the board for the Louisiana Association of Independent Land Title Agents, Committee Member of the Louisiana State Bar Association Committee Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse, and is a past Executive Member of the Young Lawyers’ Association of the Shreveport Bar Association.

Luke has served as President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Member at Large, and Chair of the Fundraising Committee for the Shreveport Bar Foundation, a non-profit organization formed with the purpose of performing charitable and educational services in the Shreveport and Bossier communities.

He was named to the 40 under 40 class of 2020, is a Board Member of Louisiana Independent Land Title Agents, and a Board Member at Aneca Federal Credit Union. Luke supports numerous local charities for our community and the military. He has been married to his wife, Amanda, for 13 years and they have one daughter, Tegan.

Thaxton Title, LLC stands ready to make buying a home a memorable experience.

1325 BARKSDALE BLVD., STE 105 BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA 71111 318.383.1313

WWW.THAXTONTITLE.COM

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TOP ATTORNEY 2022

EBONEE NORRIS

CRIMINAL LAW • DOMESTIC LAW

ESTATE PLANNING

For Ebonee Rhodes Norris, practicing law was an easy choice — she was practically born to be an attorney. She is a native of Shreveport, and graduated from Caddo Parish Magnet High School and Louisiana State University in Shreveport.

Norris’s mother, Sharon, is a retired paralegal of 30 years. Growing up in Shreveport, some of Norris’s earliest role models were lawyers and judges that her mother worked with.

In fifth grade, Norris was instructed to select a career person to shadow for a day at work. Norris picked a judge — one of the few African-American female administrative judges of that era. “It was so insightful to be able to learn from her and to interact with her,” Norris said. Having this interaction early in life solidified Norris’s belief that the only limits in her career would be those that she set for herself.

While obtaining her Juris Doctorate from Southern University Law Center, Norris clerked for the Louisiana Second Circuit Court of Appeals and the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office. Norris began her career at a non-profit law firm that defended the rights of low-income and elderly residents. She then moved on to a private firm, practicing in the areas of criminal defense, personal injury, estate planning, and municipal bonds.

A CLIENT-CENTRIC APPROACH

Norris founded The Norris Law Group in an effort to take a client- centric approach to legal representation.

“Because law has always been my passion, I have held virtually every job within a law firm,” Norris said, “from an office runner, to a file clerk, receptionist, legal assistant, and even an associate partner in another law firm.”

“I have witnessed client interaction from all of those different vantage points, and I know the importance of client experience.”

“That’s what distinguishes our law firm,” she said. “Our clients are not just file numbers. We really try to form long-term relationships and bonds with them.”

THE VALUE OF EMPATHY

For Norris, the issue was deeply personal. Growing up in a working-class neighborhood, she saw first-hand the impact of criminal justice and incarceration on her peers, especially children. Coming from a divorced household, she also knew the critical role domestic law played in children’s lives.

Norris vows to have an empathetic ear and be a tireless defender for all clients, including those that are facing domestic or criminal consequences. Married to her college sweetheart and a new mother of twins, her devotion to this calling has only increased. Her passion and focus have made her a respected force in criminal and family courts throughout Louisiana.

“When clients come to our law firm, whether it’s a criminal defense matter or a domestic matter, those are the most fragile times in a person’s life,” Norris said. “Someone that really empathizes with whatever legal matter they have will be a better advocate for them in the legal system.”

In addition to her success in private practice, Norris is active in the community, serving on the Board of Directors for both Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana and the Robinson Film Center.

A SECOND CHANCE

Norris is most proud of her expungement advocacy. She has partnered with the New Orleans-based Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana to provide free criminal- record expungement services for Shreveport residents.

“A lot of the people that we helped through the expungement initiative were young individuals who simply made mistakes,” Norris said. “Having a criminal record could have devastating consequences and adversely impact an individual’s employment opportunities, academic advancement, and housing.”

“Criminal expungements give individuals an opportunity to have a second chance,” Norris said.

In addition to assisting with expungement clinics, Norris has also helped draft proposed legislation for the Louisiana State Legislature, in an effort to automate the expungement process, making it quicker, easier, and — crucially — more affordable for qualified persons to expunge their criminal records.

Although the bill was unsuccessful in the most recent legislative session, Norris and her colleagues are gearing up to try again in the next legislative session.

“I believe everyone should be able to seal their criminal record without having to spend thousands to do so,” she said.

ABOUT EBONEE RHODES NORRIS

Born and raised in Shreveport, Norris now resides there with her husband, John, her four-year-old daughter, Madeline Joy, her newborn twin sons, Saint John and Sire Robert, and her two Yorkies, Remy and Martin.

Norris’s accolades include American Institute of Trial Lawyers Litigator of the Year, Lawyers of Distinction recognition, The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 under 40, and National Black Lawyers Top 40 under 40.

6130 FAIRFIELD AVENUE • SHREVEPORT, LA 71106 318.771.7000 WWW.ATTORNEYNORRIS.COM

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TOP ATTORNEY 2022

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DAMON D. KERVIN

PERSONAL INJURY & WRONGFUL DEATH

Our firm focuses on catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases. These cases include:

• 18-Wheeler Crashes

• Car Crashes

• Offshore and Maritime Injury and Death

• Oilfield Injury and Death

• Construction Injury and Death

• Plant and Refinery Injury and Death

• Industrial Accident Injury and Death

My entire professional career has been devoted to serving as a trial lawyer representing victims.

7607 Fern Avenue, Building 203

Shreveport, Louisiana 71105

Tel: (318) 754-3492

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TOP ATTORNEY 2022

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BERG LAW FIRM

CRIMINAL DEFENSE & FAMILY LAW

Let our family help your family. That attitude and devotion to clients has driven Kevin Berg and Nicole Holmes since opening their office. This husband and wife team focuses on criminal defense and family law. Every case that comes through their door gets the time and attention of both attorneys. A diverse perspective sets the service to their clients apart. Every case is viewed from a male and female point of view, so no details are overlooked.

They attribute their unique perspective to their diverse backgrounds. Kevin, a Shreveport native and Byrd High graduate, and Nicole, a country girl from Foxworth, Mississippi, met in law school and began playing off each other’s strengths immediately. Kevin has a sharp wit and easy manner that sets him apart in navigating the court room and presenting cases to a jury while Nicole has the interest and passion for research that ensures every option is explored and every right is protected.

In addition to their passion for law, they are also avid photographers and world travelers. These experiences carry into their practice because, just like photographers are always looking for different angles to tell the full story, Kevin and Nicole are working every angle to ensure their client’s best angle takes the spotlight. Additionally, travel broadens the mind and opens you up to different experiences, enabling you to see issues from different angles. The Berg Law Firm uses those experiences to craft firm, aggressive defenses for their clients.

When you or your loved one is in trouble or when you are looking for guidance during family disputes, call The Berg Law Firm. “Because we are a family, our clients make up our extended family. Their problems are our problems,” Berg said. When you need more than just one in your corner, let two fight for you!

2902 CENTENARY BLVD. SHREVEPORT, LA 71104

318.946.8962

WWW.THEBERGLAWFIRM.COM

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