Smith Trial & Appellate Lawyers

03/25/2026

If you live in Louisiana, having a will isn’t just a good idea—it’s essential.

Louisiana’s inheritance laws are unique. They allow for simple estates and efficient probate, but they also impose strict default rules about who gets your property and how it’s distributed. Those rules may not reflect your wishes—and once they apply, your family is bound by them.

A properly drafted will gives you control. It allows you to protect your loved ones, plan intentionally, and avoid unintended outcomes.

If you’ve been putting it off, this is worth a few minutes of your time:

1. Wills are for old people.Most people think about mortality more as they get older, but like a thief in the night, death comes to many who are unprepared. Do you want your sister's husband to pawn your prized golf clubs? Does your seventeen year old son really need your motorcycle? Do you want to....

03/20/2026

POV: You just filed a dispositive motion… and we’re on the receiving end.

Civil litigation is often described as a chess match—except every move costs time and money. Too often, insurance defense tries to leverage that reality by burying cases in motions practice, assuming it will wear opposing counsel down.

That strategy only works if motions practice isn’t the core of your opponent’s practice.

For us, it is.

We handle dispositive motions every day—including the ones other plaintiff attorneys bring to us when the stakes are highest. Our firm was built on this work.

If the expectation is that a dispositive motion will intimidate or overwhelm us, that expectation is misplaced.

You’re not slowing us down—you’re playing our game. You're in our world.

02/20/2026

Found another reason to pop some bubbles!

New look. Same commitment.

Our new Smith Trial & Appellate Lawyers signs are officially up, and we’re excited for what’s ahead. Come by and say hi!

02/14/2026

🍾❤️ ENDYMION SATURDAY VALENTINE’S DAY BUBBLES FOR YOUR BOO 💜💚💛

This Endymion-Valentine-Saturday-Extravapalooza, surprise your boo on the neutral ground with this match made in heaven!

Planet Oregon Sparkling Rosé, $24 , is perfect for bubbles and red wine lovers alike. Made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes, its strong effervescence and soft berry and citrus notes make it the perfect soulmate for the bold, passionate, spicy flavors of another parade day favorite pepperoni pizza!

Don’t let its bright cherry color fool you. This little sweetheart is an EXTRA BRUT meaning it was produced with very little sugar resulting in a rich, dry sparkling wine. AND, since low sugar=low risk of hangover headache, your sugar pie won’t be mad tomorrow that they had that second glass!

Happy Valentine’s Day, champers! We love you. Stay safe and call us if you need us!

02/12/2026

🍾MARDI GRAS BUBBLE REC LOADING🍾
Mercat Brut Nature cava is the perfect companion to our favorite parade route staple Popeyes spicy chicken. Its lively beads and smooth pear and apple flavors are perfect when you want to 🎶 LOVE THAT CHICKEN FROM POPEYES 🎶

Brut nature wines are produced with very little to no sugar, so you can enjoy your bubbles today without the headache tomorrow. As the kids would say, !

You can find Mercat for under $20 Let us know what you think of this pairing and whether we should share more of our favorites!

Happy parading, champers! Stay safe and call us if you need us!

02/11/2026

Smith Trial & Appellate Lawyers is delighted to announce that Jennifer Wise Moroux has joined our firm as a Member.

Jennifer is one of Louisiana’s most incisive and efficient advocates. Somehow, in every case, she finds a way to simplify complex issues, sharpen arguments, and advocate in a style that carries inherent authority. Her work is defined by rigorous legal analysis and persuasive clarity, making her a powerful asset in high-stakes appeals, writ practice, and dispositive motion litigation.

Jennifer's background includes serving as Senior Counsel to Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, managing constitutional and appellate litigation on behalf of the State; teaching as a Visiting Professor at Southern University Law Center; and working for nearly a decade at Walters Papillion Thomas Cullens, LLC, handling complex civil litigation and drafting pivotal motions and appellate briefing in high-stakes matters.

We are beyond honored to have her in our number!

02/07/2026

Your credit score could be costing you BIG on homeowners insurance. Consumer Investigator Caresse Jackman explains why consumer advocates are calling it discrimination while insurance companies say it's 'fair pricing.'

02/06/2026

We hope you never need it - but if you're ever in a car wreck, having the right information quickly can make a stressful situation a little easier.

We put together these bottle opener keychains as a small, practical way to keep important information close at hand.

Each keychain includes a QR code that links directly to our page with the 10 steps to take if you’re ever in a car wreck—simple guidance you can pull up quickly.

If you’d like one, comment below and we'll send you 1!

01/29/2026

We’re sharing these bottle opener keychains as a small way to help keep important information close at hand.

Each keychain includes a QR code that links directly to a page with the 10 steps to follow if you’re ever in a car wreck—clear, practical guidance you can access quickly.

If you’d like one, comment below and we’ll let you know how to get one.

01/27/2026

Please join us in welcoming paralegal, Rachel Fazekas to Smith Trial & Appellate
Lawyers.

Rachel recently transitioned into litigation support after spending 13 years in the fitness industry. She now works closely with our litigation team to support trial preparation, manage case materials, and help ensure each matter is handled with care and attention to detail.

Outside of the office, Rachel still enjoys fitness—and occasionally sharing a glass of bubbles with her bosses, who also happen to be her cousins.

We’re over the moon to have Rachel as part of the team and look forward to the energy and enthusiasm she brings to the firm.

01/23/2026

Happy birthday to the unofficial mother of our law firm, former Justice Jeannette Theriot Knoll. 💙

Mary and Julie had the privilege of meeting while serving as law clerks for Justice Knoll—who affectionately referred to them as “her girls.” From the very beginning, she has been their biggest cheerleader, mentor, and constant source of encouragement.

True to form, Justice Knoll even joined Mary and her now-husband, Alex, on a date—just to make sure he was good enough. A judge in every sense of the word.
We are deeply grateful for her guidance, support, and the lasting impact she has had on our firm and so many others. Wishing her a very happy birthday.