Koch & Schmidt Attorneys at Law
Rooted in New Orleans, Koch & Schmidt has a profound understanding of the challenges facing individuals and businesses in Louisiana and the Texas Gulf Region. From personal injury claims to business disputes to maritime claims, we provide our clients with informed representation and unmatched personal service.
Backed by six decades of experience, we offer comprehensive legal services on diverse matters such as:
- Admiralty and maritime law
- Personal injury lawsuits
- Business and commercial litigation
- Corporate governance and counseling
- Wills, trusts and estates
- Commercial and residential real estate
- General civil litigation
- Legal malpractice
When you become our client, you can trust us to protect your interests and help you achieve your objectives.
R. Joshua Koch Jr.
Josh is a highly skilled attorney with over thirty years of litigation experience. In recognition of his trial skills, Josh was invited to join the faculty of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, the faculty of Loyola University College of Law’s Trial Advocacy Program and the faculty of Tulane University School of Law Trial Advocacy Program. He has been given the prestigious “AV” rating by the Martindale Hubbel, its highest rating, and has been selected by his peers as a “Superlawyer” in the area of maritime law.
Frederick Evans Schmidt
Evans Schmidt has over 19 years of experience in commercial real estate transactions, commercial litigation, construction agreements, and corporate counseling and formations. He has represented businesses and lenders in commercial real estate transactions and acted as local counsel in numerous major national financings. He has lectured on various real estate and property matters under Louisiana law.
Read More About Evans
Admiralty and Maritime Law - Gulf of Mexico & Mississippi River
At Koch & Schmidt, our legal team has working knowledge of the applicable maritime laws, including the Jones Act, the Longshoremen and Harbor Workers Compensation Act, the Death on the High Seas Act and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. We regularly handle a wide range of maritime claims and also negotiate, review and prepare a variety of maritime contracts. Our clients include:
- Jones Act Claims
- Injured Maritime Workers
- Recreational Boating Accidents
- Passenger Claims On Cruise Ships
- Injured Workers On Cruise Ships
- Penalty Wage Claims On Behalf Of Seamen
- Cargo Vessel Accidents
- Death On The High Seas Act
- Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
- Offshore Drilling Rig Accidents
Whether your matter involves a claim for personal injury under the Jones Act, a general maritime claim for unseaworthiness, a maritime transaction, a vessel seizure or any other matter occurring on navigable waters, we will provide you with trustworthy advice so that you can make the best decisions about your future.
Louisiana Personal Injury Attorneys
Suffering a catastrophic injury is an overwhelming experience not only for the victim, but for loved ones as well. The physical, emotional, and financial burdens can be amplified when an accident is caused by the negligent, reckless or intentional conduct of another party. Faced with a lengthy recovery, ongoing pain and suffering, lost income, and mounting medical expenses, injury victims often feel hopeless and don’t know where to turn. At Koch & Schmidt we help to lift these burdens by helping injury victims obtain the medical care they need and the compensation they deserve.
New Orleans Business and Commercial Litigation Attorneys
As any business owner in the Gulf Region can attest, disputes are inevitable. Our commercial litigation attorneys represent clients on all types of business-related disputes, including:
- Bankruptcy creditor claims
- Commercial collections
- Commercial torts
- Contract disputes
- Construction litigation
- Derivative and shareholder litigation
- Employment disputes
- Land disputes
- Noncompete agreements
- Unfair trade practices
Although we prefer to reach negotiated settlements through arbitration or mediation, we have the skills and resources to successfully try cases in state and federal court. Knowing that a protracted legal dispute can be costly, our objective is to help our clients protect their bottom line.
Corporate Governance and Counseling
Koch & Schmidt represents startups, closely held, and medium-sized businesses on a variety of matters. We assist with business formations, including partnerships and Limited Liability Companies (LLC). We also negotiate and prepare transactional documents and provide ongoing corporate counsel, advising clients on: real estate purchases, sales and leases, asset sales and purchases, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance issues and compliance, and human resources guidance. Above all, we help our business clients navigate all phases of the business cycle so that they can maintain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Wills, Trusts and Estates
Although planning an estate may seem daunting, we can help eliminate the stress. Our estate planning lawyers work closely with individuals, families and business owners on planning their financial futures. We draw up foundational estate planning documents, including wills, trusts, and powers of attorneys, and provide ongoing counsel to ensure our clients estate plans are up-to-date with life’s transitions. We also advise clients on business succession planning as part of a comprehensive estate planning strategy. Regardless of your estate planning needs, you can trust our legal team to help protect your interests, your assets, and your loved ones.
General Civil Litigation
At Koch & Schmidt, we pursue and defend civil litigation on behalf of clients seeking monetary damages or specific performance arising from disputes, such as:
- Breach of contract
- Commercial litigation
- Deceptive trade practices
- Employment-related disputes
- Insurance disputes
Our civil litigation attorneys have the skills and experience to achieve positive outcomes at the negotiating table or in the courtroom.
Commercial and Residential Real Estate
We advise clients engaged in the development, purchase and sale of residential and commercial real estate, including:
- Landowners
- Developers
- Homebuyers and sellers
- Commercial property owners
- Commercial landlords and tenants
- Real estate agents and brokers
- Lending institutions
From individual home sales to the development of apartment buildings, condominiums, shopping malls and everything in between, we have insight into the rules and customs of the local real estate market. Knowing that time is money in the real estate industry, we work closely with our clients to ensure that transactions go smoothly.
Legal Malpractice
In their capacity as fiduciaries, attorneys have an obligation to put their clients’ best interests first; negative legal representation can have lasting consequences. At Koch & Schmidt, we handle legal malpractice cases arising from mishandling of client funds (including commingling), failure to adhere to court deadlines or filing past the applicable statute of limitations, breach of attorney-client privilege, and reliance on incorrect or outdated law.
Contact Our Louisiana Maritime Law, Business, and Personal Injury Attorneys
At Koch & Schmidt, we combine the sophistication of a large law firm with the personal service of a boutique practice. By taking the time to listen to your concerns, we will help you make the best decisions for yourself, your family and future. When you partner with us, you will have confidence knowing that our dedicated advocates are in your corner. Please contact our office today to set up a consultation.
