Category Archives: Firm News

Jennifer Simmons and Ben Pri-Tal obtain summary judgment against claims of sexual harassment, discrimination, hostile work environment, constructive discharge, and retaliation.

Jennifer Simmons and Ben Pri-Tal successfully defended an industrial services employer against allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination, hostile work environment, constructive discharge, and retaliation by a former employee against her then-supervisor. In granting summary judgment in favor of the employer, the Court ruled that the plaintiff could not meet the requisite burden of proof toRead More

MMK proud to join LIGHT in addressing COVID-19

LIGHT (Lawyers Initiative Giving Hospitals Thanks) is a group of New Orleans law firms which has raised more than $100,000 to feed frontline healthcare workers while supporting New Orleans’ treasured food and music industries. The program supplies funding for the Krewe of Red Beans and its Feed the Frontline NOLA project, which serves thousands ofRead More

Six MMK Attorneys Named Super Lawyers 2020, with Three Attorneys Recognized as Rising Stars

MMK congratulates the following attorneys on being selected as Super Lawyers 2020: Gerald A. Melchiode (Construction Litigation) Kevin A. Marks (Employment Litigation) Richard E. King (Construction Litigation) Olivia Y. Truong (Insurance Coverage)* Scott R. Huete (Transportation & Maritime)* Benjamin M. Pri-Tal (Construction Litigation)* *Also recognized as a 2020 Super Lawyers Rising Star. Super Lawyers selects attorneys usingRead More

Congratulations to our Top Attorneys for 2019 as selected by New Orleans Magazine

In its November issue, New Orleans Magazine has recognized five MMK lawyers in its annual announcement of the city’s “Top Attorneys”. The lawyers receiving this honor were identified by their peers as being leading practitioners in various areas of practice. Jerry Melchiode was recognized for Construction Law; Richard King for Insurance Law; Kevin Marks forRead More

Jeff Struckhoff Prevails on Summary Judgment in Insurance Coverage Claim

Jeff Struckhoff recently prevailed on summary judgment in an insurance coverage claim.  Plaintiff was an antique dealer who was injured during an exhibition with other dealers.  She sued the organizer and its commercial general liability insurer for personal injuries.  On Motion for Summary Judgment, the insurer argued that plaintiff was a “participant” in the antiquesRead More

Jerry Melchiode & Kevin Marks selected for 2020 “The Best Lawyers in America” Distinction

The Best Lawyers in America recognizes Kevin Marks for Admiralty and Maritime Law, and Jerry Melchiode was listed for Construction Law.  Jerry has been recognized for this distinction since 2016, and Kevin has been recognized since 2018. Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review, with a methodology designed to accurately capture theRead More

Rich King to Teach at 2019 CLM Claims College

Rich King is once again honored to be chosen to teach in the Schools of Casualty Claims (Coverage II and Mock Trial) and Professional Lines (Selecting Expert Witnesses) at 2019 CLM Claims College. Rich will be teaching “Coverage II” and defending one of the parties in the in the Schools of Casualty Claims Mock Trial.  Additionally, Rich will be teaching “Selecting ExpertRead More

Renée S. Melchiode successfully defends sanitation company against trip-and-fall lawsuit

Renée S. Melchiode successfully defended a sanitation company against trip-and-fall lawsuit, by obtaining a reversal of a denial of its Motion for Summary Judgement. A pedestrian, who tripped and fell over a hose connected to a sanitation truck and suspended across a sidewalk, brought a personal injury action against the sanitation company alleging negligence. TheRead More

Gerald A. Melchiode and Ben Pri-Tal prevail on summary judgment in a construction delay claim

Gerald A. Melchiode and Ben Pri-Tal prevail on summary judgment in a construction delay claim on behalf of a subcontractor on a Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (“CPRA”) public works project.  The court found that the general contractor’s surety was solidarily liable per La. R.S. 38:2241(A)(2) for the increased cost of construction proven at trialRead More

MMK Names New Member: Jeffery B. Struckhoff

We are pleased to announce that Jeffery B. Struckhoff has been named a Member of the firm, effective January 1, 2019. Jeff Struckhoff has litigated cases in state and federal courts throughout Louisiana and Mississippi, and routinely defends clients in the areas of property and construction law, insurance coverage, bad faith, transportation, product liability, professional liability,Read More

Rich King & Olivia Y. Truong obtain a defense verdict against a $340,000.00 personal injury claim

After a jury trial in the 16th Judicial District Court for the Parish of St. Martin, State of Louisiana, Olivia Y. Truong and Rich King successfully obtained a defense verdict (11-1) in favor of a commercial hauling business, whose dump truck was broadsided by an 18-wheeler. The collision between the 18-wheeler and the dump truck resulted in both vehicles burstingRead More

MMK ranked in 2019 “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News and Best Lawyers

U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers recently announced the “Best Law Firms” rankings for the ninth consecutive year. Melchiode Marks King LLC was regionally ranked in the 2019 U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” in three (3) practice areas:  Admiralty & Maritime Law, Construction Litigation, and Construction Law. The U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” rankings are basedRead More

MMK proudly sponsors and supports the Association for Women Attorney’s 7th Annual “Food From the Bar” Campaign

MMK is a proud sponsor and supporter of the Association for Women Attorney’s 7th Annual Food From the Bar Campaign. Food from the Bar is the legal community’s response to child hunger across the country, in which local firms raise funds, donate food, and volunteer at local food banks.  The campaign helps Second Harvest Food Bank replenish food bankRead More