Gauthier, Houghtaling & Williams

(Law Firm of Attorney Patrick McGinnis)

For the past thirty years, Gauthier, Houghtaling & Williams has been one of the most influential and most respected law firms in the South. Founder Wendell Gauthier was ranked as one of the "Nation's Top 10 Litigation Lawyers" by the National Law Journal and one of the "100 Most Influential Lawyers in America" by the National Law Journal in 1985, 1990 and 1995. The Gauthier firm rose to national prominence as leader of the 100-firm coalition that negotiated the $350 billion settlement with the tobacco industry.

Since 2003, the firm has collected over $100 million for business and individual clients. With offices in New Orleans and Houston, the firm represents business clients whose interests in negotiated contracts total over a quarter of a billion dollars.

In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Ike, the firm was retained by a variety of victims, from owners of Class A high rise buildings to Mom and Pop businesses. To date, the firm has collected over $75 million in hurricane-related recoveries.

In March of 2005, in an article entitled "Legendary Law Firm Ruled by New Lawyer," City Business Magazine featured Managing Partner John Houghtaling on its front cover when he overtook the leadership of the Gauthier firm following Wendell Gauthier's passing. In 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008, Mr. Houghtaling was ranked as one of the "Top 50 Lawyers in New Orleans" by City Business Magazine, one of only four lawyers recognized so consecutively. He and James Williams were elected to the magazine's Hall of Fame in 2009. Mr. Williams has been certified as one of "The Top Trial Lawyers in America" by the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.