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John deGravelles' success is due, in part, to his ability to devote the necessary financial resources to handle the large, complex and challenging cases. Another vital ingredient in that success is a superbly trained, qualified and experienced support staff of attorneys, paralegals, secretaries and investigators.
A large part of deGravelles' practice is by referral from other attorneys. This highly skilled and dedicated staff supporting the pursuit of each claim is a major reason for the satisfaction of both clients and referring attorneys.
Partner deGravelles, Palmintier, Holthaus & Frugé Scott H. Frugé is a native of Baton Rouge where he graduated from Catholic High School. His undergraduate degree is from Louisiana State University where he was an active member of Sigma Nu fraternity. He received his law degree from Louisiana State University Law School and was admitted to the Louisiana bar in 1992. Scott is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Western, and Middle Districts of Louisiana. After only three years of practice, he was named partner with the law firm of Funderburk & Andrews where he formerly handled both defense and plaintiff litigation cases. Scott joined deGravelles, Palmintier & Holthaus in March 1998 and handles a variety of civil case work, including admiralty, personal injury, medical malpractice, successions and estate planning, and workers’ compensation. He is a member of the Baton Rouge Bar Association, Louisiana State Bar Association, American Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, Dean Henry George McMahon American Inns of Court, the Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association, and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. He is an avid LSU fan and enjoys all sports, including golf, football, and basketball which he actively participates in through his membership with BRAAS (Baton Rouge Ancient Athletes Society). For the past fourteen years, Scott has volunteered to coach football and basketball to children of all ages in the Baton Rouge area.
Associate deGravelles, Palmintier, Holthaus & Frugé Richard J. "Joe" Guidry is a native of Lake Arthur, Louisiana where he was valedictorian of St. Maria Goretti High School in 1981. He obtained his undergraduate degree in history with honors from Louisiana State University in 1985. Continuing at LSU, he successfully completed law school, receiving his Juris Doctor degree and license to practice law in 1988. From 1988 to May 2000, Joe spent the majority of his practice in the defense of oil companies, drilling contractors, manufacturers, and insurance companies. During those twelve years, Joe acquired valuable knowledge of how companies investigate casualties and evaluate cases. He has investigated numerous offshore casualties, and in the last two years of this period, he personally investigated three oilfield related deaths. Since June 2000, Joe has devoted his practice to representing persons injured through the negligence of others. He joined deGravelles, Palmintier, Holthaus & Frugé in September 2000, where he handles all types of personal injury and wrongful death claims. Joe is currently admitted to practice in Louisiana, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and all Federal District Courts in Louisiana. He is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association, American Bar Association, and the Bar Association of the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
LEGAL SUPPORT STAFF
Certified Paralegal Jimmie W. Murvin has served the legal profession since 1973. Since 1983 when she became a paralegal (she was certified in 1984), she has consistently demonstrated excellence in her chosen profession. She has worked for John W. deGravelles since 1979. Ms. Murvin is a Charter Member and has served as President of the Louisiana State Paralegal Association and the Baton Rouge Paralegal Association. She has been a faculty member of the LSU Paralegal Studies Program since 1983. She is the author of a book published by Aspen Law Publishing: Paralegal Guide to Automobile Accident Cases. Ms. Murvin has also authored many articles and lectures extensively to paralegal and lawyer groups around the country. In 1998 she was the first recipient of the prestigious Association of Trial Lawyers of America Paralegal of the Year Award and has received other awards as well. The Louisiana State Paralegal Association named her Outstanding Paralegal in 1989, the LSU Paralegal Studies Program selected her as its Outstanding Teacher in 1991, and in 1995 she was the first to receive the President’s Award given by the National Association of Legal Assistants. Ms. Murvin is the mother of three children. She enjoys reading and studying languages. She teaches Adult Hebrew at B’nai Israel Synagogue. Ms. Murvin conducts legal research, drafts pleadings, responds to discovery, coordinates case management, communicates with clients, and assists in trial.
Legal Assistant Jodi H. Fryoux has served the legal profession for over 21 years, starting as a legal secretary at the age of 16. She has worked as a legal assistant for John W. deGravelles since January 1984. She has attended numerous legal seminars. In her spare time, Jodi enjoys traveling with her husband of 20 years and her 18-year-old son and 15-year-old daughter. Ms. Fryoux handles legal administrative matters, including client/attorney communication, scheduling and docketing of cases, and case management. She is the personal legal assistant to founding partner, John W. deGravelles.
Paralegal Terri Russo graduated from Nicholls State University in 1997 with a bachelor of arts degree in government and criminal justice. She is a 1998 graduate of the LSU Paralegal Studies Program and is currently attending LSU graduate school part-time. She has been a litigation paralegal since 1998. Terri enjoys reading, playing sports, and coaching youth softball. Ms. Russo is responsible for document control and case coordination in class action and multi-plaintiff cases; in addition, she drafts pleadings, responds to discovery and assists in trial.
Paralegal Jennifer Brooks Wallace is a native of Lafayette, Louisiana and a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where she obtained a bachelor of arts degree. While at ULL, she was a member of Phi Mu sorority. She is a paralegal for Scott H. Frugé and has been working in the legal profession for seven years. Jennifer is also a Notary Public in and for East Baton Rouge Parish. She obtained her Paralegal Certificate from the LSU Paralegal Studies Program in May 2000. She is married and has one child, Presley, and two miniature dachshund puppies. Her hobbies include a variety of outdoor activities such as water sports fishing and participating on the deGravelles, Palmintier, Holthaus & Frugé softball team. Ms. Wallace is a paralegal and works with firm partner Scott H. Frugé. She is responsible for legal administrative matters, scheduling, and client/attorney communication.
Administrative Assistant Judy C. Lanoux has been an administrative assistant since 1989 and is a native Morgan City, Louisiana. She is married and has four sons: Joey, 18; Andy, 16; Drue, 13; and Matthew, 3. Her hobbies are singing, landscape design, swimming, floral design, and cooking. Ms. Lanoux is an administrative assistant providing clerical and secretarial support to enhance client/attorney communication.
Legal Research Assistant Neale deGravelles is a recent graduate of Reed College in Portland, Oregon, where he was awarded a bachelor of arts degree in history. He is currently a freshman at the LSU Law School and works part-time with his father, John W. deGravelles, gaining valuable legal experience. Neale enjoys reading, creative writing, and music. Mr. deGravelles provides legal research for the attorneys in the firm.
File Clerk Meg deGravelles has worked part-time for the law firm for over three years. She is a senior at LSU majoring in Animal Science. She is on the LSU Equestrian Team and the LSU Rugby Team. Her best friend is a terrier-retriever mix named Rugger. Ms. DeGravelles provides clerical assistance to firm partner Scott Frugé.
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Scott H. Frugé, Attorney at Law
Richard J. "Joe" Guidry, Attorney at Law
Jimmie W. Murvin, CLAS, LCP
Jodi H. Fryoux
Terri Russo
Jennifer Brooks Wallace
Judy C. Lanoux
John Neale deGravelles
Meg deGravelles