Maritime Archives - Milling Benson Woodward L.L.P.

Touhy Requests

Touy Requests

If you are involved in litigation and need to obtain official information, such as documents or testimony, from a Government agency or department, you may need to submit “Touhy Requests” to that particular agency or department. Named after the Supreme Court case, United States ex rel. Touhy v. Ragen, 340 U.S. 462, 468 (1951), a Touhy Request is […]

Ethics and Hidden Greed: Ethical Behavior is Essential to Success

Robert G. Docters, JD, MBA. Bruce A. Cranner, JD—Partner, Milling Benson Woodward, L.L.P. Lawyers must be attuned to every detail in their practices. Similarly, in promoting ethics, ethics champions must become aware of the small violations, before they become major violations. This requires effort and skill because ethical violations are not obvious. That effort is […]

Louisiana’s Greatest Diversion

Projects in Construction- 2012 April- 2.5

On August 10, 2023, the State, including Governor John Bel Edwards, Louisiana’s Coastal Protection & Restoration Authority (“CPRA”), and other State officials, broke ground for the construction of the Mid-Barataria Diversion Structure, the largest individual coastal restoration project the State has ever built. The Project will be located on the west bank of the Lower […]

Dear Clients,

After 130 years of practicing law in the State of Louisiana, the law firm of Milling Benson Woodware, L.L.P. has closed its practice of law and will cease providing professional services, effective as of 5 PM, February 18, 2026. After that time the firm will no longer represent you or other clients in any matters, cases or files.

Contact Your Attorney

To ensure your legal matters are handled without interruption, it is necessary for you to contact the individual attorney that previously handled your file or retain new counsel as soon as possible. If you have not already been contacted by your attorney for the continued handling of your files, you may contact our office before March 27, 2026, and we will attempt to put you in touch with the attorney that previously handled your file. Some of the attorneys previously with the firm will continue to practice elsewhere, and you should reach out to them or your new attorney as soon as possible.

File Retrieval by March 27, 2026

If you believe that we have any of your client files still in our possession they will be available for transfer to you or your attorney on or before March 27, 2026. If you want us to see if a file is available for transfer to you or your attorney, please reply to this email and provide written authorization to make the transfer, including the name and address (or other contact information) of your lawyer. If you prefer to personally take possession of your files, you may pick up your file at our office located at 68031 Capital Trace Row, Mandeville, LA 70471, on or before March 27, 2026.

After March 27, 2026, we will promptly proceed with arranging for the destruction of any files (other than Last Wills) not transferred to an attorney or picked up by you (or our representative) from our office. The files not transferred will be destroyed by shredding to protect all confidential information. Since the firm is going out of business, we will have no office location available to further store client files.

The Last Wills and Testaments in our possession will be transferred to Kayla Martynenko, Attorney in Mandeville, LA, who can be reached by email at kayla@legacylitigator.com. Ms. Martynenko will be attempting to reach out to those who signed Last Wills for which she takes possession. Let her know if you want another attorney to take possession of your Last Will or if you want to pick up the Last Will from her office.

Should you need additional information or want to arrange to pick up your file, you may contact our office manager, Vicky Cochran, by e-mail at vcochran@millinglaw.com or by calling Vicky Cochran at (985) 292-2015. Be sure to contact Vicky by 5 PM, March 27, 2026, to arrange for transfer of your files.

We thank you for the opportunity to have served your legal needs and wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Sincerely,
MILLING BENSON WOODWARD L.L.P
C. Randall Loewen Managing Partner / Liquidator