News & Knowledge

Siara N. Haas is an associate attorney whose practice focuses on insurance defense and complex civil litigation. Siara combines strong analytical and writing skills with practical litigation judgment, identifying the issues that truly matter while developing defense strategies designed to efficiently resolve claims through motion practice and negotiated settlements. Before entering private practice, Siara served as a federal judicial intern, where she researched and drafted orders addressing jurisdictional and remand issues, strengthening her analytical foundation. Prior to joining the firm, she gained valuable litigation experience working with Texas-based defense firms where she handled a range of matters and further developed her analytical and advocacy skills. Her litigation experience is complemented by insurance coverage advisory work, including drafting coverage opinions and reservation of rights letters and analyzing potential extracontractual exposure. Siara’s approach centers on strategic evaluation, clear judgment, and consistent communication. She works to ensure clients understand not only what is happening in their case, but why particular approaches are being taken, what risks exist, and what the next steps will be. She also takes ownership of her files, stays organized and moves cases forward intentionally, always aligning strategy with her clients’ business goals. What drives Siara is a keen sense of responsibility and pride in her work. She knows that clients rely on counsel during high-stakes situations, and she takes that responsibility seriously. Motivated by growth and continuous improvement, she approaches challenging cases and tight deadlines as opportunities to sharpen her analysis and strengthen her strategy. Her work ethic is […]

Madeline A. Earles is an associate attorney who brings fierce advocacy, meticulous attention to detail, and tireless dedication to her litigation practice. Madeline represents clients in employment law, toxic tort litigation, and complex commercial disputes across Louisiana state and federal courts. She has successfully drafted and argued dispositive motions, defended employers and public entities against EEOC charges, and managed cases from initial intake through favorable resolution. Madeline grew up on a third-generation sugar cane, rice, soybean, and crawfish farm in Bunkie, Louisiana, where she learned the values of tenacity, adaptability, and resilience. Her family’s success was built on proactive problem-solving and outside-the-box thinking, skills she now applies to the ever-evolving landscape of toxic tort and employment law. Much like the agricultural industry, entities in these fields require counsel who can navigate constantly changing laws and standards with creativity and determination. Madeline is known for her competitive spirit and unwavering work ethic. She refuses to close her computer until she finds the answer- whether that leads to a winning strategy or provides crucial clarity on challenging issues. Her ability to master complex subject matter quickly, stay on top of legal developments, and work diligently in her clients’ best interests drives everything she does. She strives to leave work each day proud of what she and her team have accomplished in solving the problems clients trust them to address.

With more than 25 years of finance and operational leadership experience spanning Fortune 100 companies, private equity-backed firms, and organizations of every scale in between, Elaine brings an extraordinary depth of expertise to her role as Chief Administrative Officer. A graduate of Mississippi College, she has built a distinguished career on a simple but powerful philosophy: bring clarity to complexity and deliver results that speak for themselves. Elaine is a proven executive and strategic problem-solver who thrives in dynamic environments, consistently transforming operational challenges into high-functioning, efficient solutions. Her colleagues and clients alike know her as a leader of uncompromising integrity. She holds herself to the same standard whether the room is full or empty. A recipient of the MCI Circle of Excellence Award and formerly credentialed as both a Certified Information Systems Auditor and Certified Internal Auditor, Elaine’s accomplishments reflect a career built on discipline, precision, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. She is guided by the conviction that leadership is ultimately about service to others, a believe best captured by one of her favorite principles from Booker T. Washington: “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.”

RJ Lewis is an associate in the Firm’s Jackson office. He graduated summa cum laude from Mississippi College School of Law, where he served as Chief Executive Editor of the Mississippi College Law Review (Vol. 41) and earned first place in the Bryant National Health Law Transactional Competition. He also served as Vice President of the Black Law Students Association R. Jess Brown Chapter, worked as a Teaching Assistant for multiple courses, including Torts and Civil Procedure, and was a Writing Fellow in Legal Analysis and Communication. Before joining the Firm, he gained extensive judicial experience, serving as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Carlton W. Reeves of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi and to the Honorable Curtis Lynn Collier of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. He also interned for the Honorable Lakeysha Greer Isaac and externed for the Honorable David N. McCarty of the Mississippi Court of Appeals. He earned his B.A. in English, summa cum laude, from Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana. RJ is active in his community and professional organizations, including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the Jackson-Magnolia Chapter of the Dillard University National Alumni Association, and The Appellate Project (TAP) Mentorship Program. Known for his analytical approach and dedication to understanding complex issues from multiple perspectives, RJ approaches each matter with thorough preparation and thoughtful advocacy.

Kelsi Baldwin is an associate in the Firm’s Jackson office. She graduated summa cum laude from Mississippi College School of Law, where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the Mississippi College Law Review. During law school, she was recognized as Best Overall Advocate in the Copeland, Cook, Taylor, and Bush Appellate Moot Court Competition and received multiple American Jurisprudence Awards. She also served as a Teaching Assistant and was selected as a Pupil of the Charles Clark Inns of Court. Following law school, she clerked for the Honorable Kristi H. Johnson of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi and for the Honorable Leslie H. Southwick of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. She also contributed to the Mississippi Practice Series and authors the Conflict of Laws chapter in the Encyclopedia of Mississippi Laws. Guided by a commitment to integrity and a solution-focused mindset, Kelsi approaches challenges with persistence and care.

Albert Adams is an associate in the Firm’s New Orleans office. He earned his J.D. and Doctor of Comparative Law from Louisiana State University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from LSU. During law school, Albert distinguished himself on the LSU Trial Advocacy Board, participated on the American Bar Association National Trial Competition External Team, served on the LSU Ethics Committee Board, and received the CALI Award for Excellence in Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. Following graduation, he served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office and later practiced toxic tort litigation before joining FormanWatkins. While in law school, Albert gained additional experience as an extern in the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office and as a clerk in the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office. Albert has extensive trial experience, representing a variety of clients including equipment manufacturers, contractors, and stevedoring companies in asbestos and toxic tort litigation. His work has involved briefing and arguing dispositive motions, preparing witnesses for trial, and simplifying complex historical and medical issues into clear, persuasive arguments. Known for combining deep subject-matter knowledge with practical strategy, Albert approaches every matter with integrity and a commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for his clients.

Ryan Simoneaux is an associate in the Firm’s New Orleans office. He earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, where he graduated in the top ten percent of his class and was honored as a Professor William L. Crowe, Sr. Scholar. While at Loyola, Ryan served as Editor-in-Chief of the Loyola Maritime Law Journal and President of the Federal Bar Association’s Loyola Student Chapter, distinguishing himself through leadership and scholarship alike. During law school, Ryan received numerous awards, including the Kean Miller LLP Admiralty Award for Best Student Comment and first place in the Louisiana State Bar Association Family Law Section Writing Competition. He was also a recipient of multiple scholarships recognizing both academic excellence and service. Ryan gained valuable experience through internships with the Honorable Jane Triche Milazzo and the Honorable Darrel J. Papillion of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. His publications include articles in the Louisiana Bar Journal and the Loyola Maritime Law Journal, as well as contributions to The Current, the Journal’s monthly blog. Before attending law school, Ryan taught American Government and Politics at his alma mater in Napoleonville, Louisiana, and later served as a refugee case manager and ESL teacher with Catholic Charities of Baton Rouge where he was instrumental in the resettlement of over forty Afghan households in the Baton Rouge metropolitan area after the fall of Kabul, Afghanistan. Ryan is a member of the St. Thomas More Inn of Court, the […]

Damonta Morgan is a relentless litigator with experience in high stakes matters across trial and appellate courts, as well as in government investigations. He brings a wide-ranging background to his practice, shaped by clerkships in both federal district and appellate courts and through training at top national institutions. Before joining the firm, Damonta served as a law clerk to the Honorable Candace Jackson-Akiwumi of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and to the Honorable Carlton Reeves of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi. He also practiced in the Supreme Court & Appellate Litigation and Government Investigations groups at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton, & Garrison LLP in Washington, D.C. Damonta has worked on a range of complex legal issues, including appellate briefing for federal courts, constitutional questions, and multi-form litigation involving government actors, Fortune 50, and Fortune 500 clients. His government experience includes roles at the U.S. Department of Justice, both in the Office of the Solicitor General and the Appellate Staff of the Civil Division, where he contributed to briefing in high-profile appellate cases. In addition to his litigation work, Damonta maintains a strong academic background. His analysis has been published in the Columbia Law Review Forum, Illinois Law Review Online, and Wisconsin Law Review Forward, with commentary on emerging doctrines in administrative and constitutional law frequently appearing in the Yale Journal on Regulation. Damonta is a member of the ABA’s Appellate Practice Committee and remains active in pro bono work and community […]

Whitney developed her passion for law early, driven by a natural analytical mindset and an unwavering love for writing and oral advocacy. A magna cum laude graduate of Southern University Law Center in 2019, she has since embraced a standard of excellence that underpins her practice. Whitney’s time as a law clerk to the Honorable Ivan L.R. Lemelle at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, where she also gained experience in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, deepened her understanding of complex federal litigation and honed the meticulous preparation that defines her practice today. Understanding that each client’s version of success is unique, Whitney works diligently to tailor strategies that align with their goals. She is driven by her ABC motto: Be Authentic, Be Bold, and Be Courageous, a mantra that infuses her practice with determination and resilience. Whitney’s clients benefit from the assurance that they have an advocate who is not only fiercely committed, but also fearless in crafting innovative solutions. Whitney brings her tenacity and genuine care to every case she manages, ensuring each client feels valued and empowered by her representation.

With over 15 years of experience in toxic tort litigation, Adriana combines her passion for science and the law to deliver exceptional results for her clients. A graduate of South Texas College of Law, she has served as National Coordinating Counsel for a major chemical manufacturer, managing its benzene litigation docket and overseeing large-scale discovery, e-discovery, and complex document review teams. Her extensive experience spans all aspects of litigation from investigations and written discovery to trial strategy and negotiations. Adriana’s unique ability to navigate both the scientific and legal complexities of toxic tort cases has positioned her as a tenacious advocate and a trusted leader on defense teams. Whether securing outright dismissals or negotiating favorable settlements, Adriana thrives in high-stakes situations, always focused on delivering the best possible outcome. She is committed to building strong relationships within her team, and her resilience, critical thinking, and strategic mindset make her an invaluable asset to her clients. Adriana’s scientific background, honed during her time at M.D. Anderson’s Department of Epidemiology, further enhances her ability to tackle the most challenging cases with confidence and precision.