FBA New Orleans Member Spotlight: Attorney Louis Colletta

Louis Colletta is an attorney at Lugenbuhl, Wheaton, Peck, Rankin & Hubbard with more than 20 years of legal experience representing  large transportation authorities, governmental entities, and private corporations.   His litigation practice focuses on corporate law, employment law, railroad law, environmental and toxic tort insurance coverage, and commercial property & homeowner’s property insurance coverage.  Louis also serves as President of the Touro Bouligny Neighborhood Association and is involved in Project H.E.L.P.

 We hope you enjoy getting to know Louis!

What is your biggest strength as an attorney and why?  (e.g., legal writing, oral advocacy, marketing yourself and your firm).

I think my biggest strength as an attorney is my work ethic. I certainly may not be the smartest person in the room, but I will work harder than my opponents to achieve an outcome that is desirable for our clients.

What is your favorite part about being an attorney and why?

Being able to help our clients. I like being able to make a difference and being an active part of the solution.

What is one thing you wish you would have known before becoming an attorney and why?

Living my work life in six-minute increments. While billing time is necessary, as a profession, we need to start looking at alternative billing methods that make sense.

What is the best advice you have ever received in the legal profession?

It sounds parochial, but I had a mentor that taught me that there is no such thing as a stupid question and to always ask questions and be curious. You never know what you may find.

Where are you from and how did you end up in New Orleans?

I grew up in Lake Charles, Louisiana and moved to New Orleans in the mid 1990's after college and have never looked back. New Orleans is a nice place to practice, and I have met and worked with a number of really smart lawyers who have helped me develop into a better person and a better lawyer.

Where did you go to law school?

Tulane School of Law

Name one thing that you could not live without and why?

My family - they give me the strength and support to succeed.

What would you do professionally if you were not an attorney and why? 

Investigator. I'm a pretty curious person and I love asking questions, solving problems, and puzzles. Maybe something in law enforcement.

Other than your career, what are you passionate about and why?  

Certainly, my family first. Watching our son grow and develop makes me very happy. I also love golf, which I picked up only a few years ago. I just wish I had more talent.

Favorite New Orleans dish and restaurant?  

This is a tough question as there are so many great restaurants in New Orleans and my tastes are constantly changing. I suppose one of the constants is turtle soup from Commander's Palace.

You get one superpower. What is it and why?

The ability to read minds - it would make taking depositions so much easier.

What is a recent “success” you’ve had, either professional or personal, and how did you make it happen? 

I am president of our neighborhood association. We recently conducted a neighborhood cleanup project purely with the help of volunteers. We were able to recruit over 20 volunteers and pick up trash and garbage in our entire neighborhood keeping it clean and safer by being active. Working collaboratively with City Council District B and the sanitation department, all of the debris we picked up was collected by the City on the same day. It was a very successful project and it was very rewarding to help organize.