Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

I am the Managing Attorney in the law firm of Michael L. Barras, A Professional Law Corporation. I pride myself on honesty, integrity, and vigorous advocacy of my clients' rights. I also pride myself on being as accessible as possible to my clients in today's busy legal climate. My mission in the practice of law is to provide effective legal representation while keeping my clients in the loop and getting the results that they deserve.

My practice is focused on representing injured victims of car accidents, truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, offshore accidents, boating accidents, slip and fall accidents, and other accidents that cause serious injuries.

My practice also reaches into the areas of Divorce, Child Custody, Family Law, Criminal Defense, DWI/OWI Defense, Labor and Employment Law, Sexual Harassment, Contract Law, Insurance Law, Medical Negligence, and General Civil Litigation.

With offices in Lafayette and Opelousas, I have a statewide civil litigation practice and am admitted in all state and federal courts of Louisiana.

I am proud to represent my clients, from Louisiana citizens to Fortune 1000 companies.

Thomas V. Alonzo handles serious personal injury claims and criminal defense matters including disabling injuries and wrongful death and all types of felony and misdemeanor cases. With 24 years of litigation and jury trial experience, Mr. Alonzo will use his extensive knowledge of the law to help you with your legal matter.

Mr. Alonzo has offices in Jackson, Mississippi and Lafayette, Louisiana and is also licensed to practice in Georgia and Texas. Mr. Alonzo handles industrial accidents and catastrophic injuries in the Gulf South Region, including Jackson, Vicksburg, New Orleans, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Oxford, Gulfport, Biloxi, Monroe, and all surrounding areas.

The Law Firm of Thomas V. Alonzo has litigated numerous personal injury claims for wrongful death and catastrophic injuries such as:

Burns
Brain Injury
Spinal Injuries
Knee Fractures
Wrist Fractures
Ankle Fractures
Back Injuries
Neck Injuries
Paralysis
Trauma

Whether you are injured on the job in a construction or industrial accident, the victim of medical malpractice or are the victim of an auto, motorcycle or trucking accident, Mr. Alonzo has the skill and experience to help you obtain just compensation for your injuries. His clients have received substantial verdicts and settlements, including judgments of $4.1 million,$2.8 million $1.4 million, and $1.2 million.

Mr. Alonzo represents individuals charged with a range of criminal charges from simple misdemeanors to serious felony charges including first degree murder. As a former Public Defender and board-certified Capital Defender, Mr. Alonzo has 19 years of experience working in the criminal justice system. The Thomas V. Alonzo Law Firm defends clients charged with the following crimes:

Simple Assault
Aggravated Assault
Battery
Loitering
Stalking
Drug Possession
Drug Distribution
Drug Trafficking
Shoplifting
Theft
DUI Driving Under the Influence
DWI Driving While Intoxicated
Traffic Violations
Reckless Driving
Sexual Charges
Indecent Exposure
Prostitution
Lewd Conduct
Sexual Harassment
Sexual Assault
Aggravated Rape
Statutory Rape
Probation Violations
Kidnapping
Burglary
Manslaughter
First Degree Murder
Attempted Murder
Homicide


Mr. Alonzo will guide you through the criminal justice process from arrest, posting bail/bond, indictments, pre-trial hearings, to your trial date. In order to prepare the best legal defense possible, Mr. Alonzo will investigate the facts surrounding your arrest, take statements from witnesses, talk to the arresting officer, and work with a private investigator if necessary. If expert testimony can assist your case, Mr. Alonzo will contact the appropriate experts to help defend you.

Mr. Alonzo also assists clients with bond reduction hearings, expunging records and nursing license revocation hearings.

The Law Office of Thomas V. Alonzo offers free case evaluations for personal injury claims and criminal defense matters. If you have been seriously injured or charged with a crime and you would like to have an experienced trial lawyer review your case and give you his legal opinion, you may contact Mr. Alonzo at (601) 944-1980 in Jackson, Mississippi or (337) 704-2615 in Lafayette, Louisiana. He will personally meet with you to go over the facts of your case in detail. In certain situations, Mr. Alonzo will make arrangements to come to you at your home, hospital, or wherever you are located. Mr. Alonzo is available evenings and weekends by appointment.

Raymond J. Brinson is a partner in the firm's Slidell office. Prior to becoming a licensed attorney, Mr. Brinson worked as a commercial loan officer for the largest bank in Louisiana. Since 2000, Mr. Brinsonâs practice has focused on real property and real estate transactions. In 2003 Mr. Brinson founded Patriot Title, a Louisiana Title Company offering real estate closing services to clients throughout Louisiana.He is licensed to practice in all Louisiana District Courts, Courts of Appeal, the Louisiana Supreme Court, the United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Louisiana, and the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Scott Ruel is an attorney located in Madisonville, Louisiana. He is admitted to the Louisiana state bar and graduated from Columbus School of Law in Washington, D.C.

Peggy Gonsoulin Vallejo graduated from Tulane Law School in May 1999 and was admitted to the Louisiana State Bar in October 1999.

Her practice consists of civil and criminal litigation with a strong focus on domestic, succession, personal injury, and medical malpractice matters.

She has clients in all of the surrounding parishes in the Greater New Orleans Metro Area including Tangipahoa, Livingston and East Baton Rouge.

I have practiced law in the New Orleans metropolitan area since 1982.

My fields of practice are Family/Domestic Relations, Successions/Estate Administration, Construction, Civil Litigation, and Eighteen Wheeler/Commercial Vehicle Litigation

Richard A. Tonry, II is a partner in the firm's Slidell office. Mr. Tonry's practice focuses primarily on civil and criminal trial practice, real property, successions, and personal injury. Mr. Tonry has extensive litigation experience and has argued before various state and appellate courts, federal district and appellate courts, and the Louisiana Supreme Court. He is licensed to practice in all Louisiana District Courts, Courts of Appeal, the Louisiana Supreme Court, the United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Louisiana, the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.

I practice law throughout the state of Louisiana and have done so since 1984, having tried many and varied types of civil cases before both judges and juries, and appearing before the appellate courts.

Professional History

Prior to becoming a lawyer, I was employed as an aide to the Jefferson Parish, Louisiana legislative delegation in the Louisiana legislature. Upon graduation from law school in 1984, I began my practice by working as a landman and by preparing title abstracts for oil and gas exploration sites.

After working in the oil industry, I continued my practice of law as an assistant district attorney in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, and then I began a private practice in civil law which continues to this day.