Stephen M. Huber

Managing Partner

Stephen Huber has tried more than 150 jury trials over his career. His legal approach is characterized by his relentless drive to help his clients get the best results possible for their case. Huber focuses on catastrophic personal injury cases, as well as commercial, business, and property litigation.

Huber began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Orleans Parish and then went on to serve as an Assistant United States Attorney. During his time as a prosecutor, Huber led several multi-year investigations and received a number of awards and recognition for his work.

Because of his previous trial experience with the United States Attorney’s Office and his ongoing trial experience, he understands that preparing for every case as if it’s going to trial is the best way to ensure success. By doing this, Huber knows that he’s serving his clients best during their time of need after a personal injury or business dispute.

Whether your case settles out of court or goes to trial, Huber consistently obtains tremendous results for his clients. With a precise attention to detail and unflinching ability to stand up to even the largest companies, Huber is a tireless advocate for his clients and is ready to help you with your case.

Education

  • Juris Doctor: Loyola University
  • Bachelor’s Degree: Southern Methodist University

Professional Activities and Memberships

  • Licensed to practice in Louisiana
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Louisiana State Bar Association
  • American Association for Justice
  • Louisiana Association for Justice
  • International Society of Barristers
  • Named to New Orleans City Business’ Annual Leadership in Law list of outstanding attorneys in New Orleans
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Charlie M. Thomas

Partner

As a fierce advocate for cyclist’s rights, both in his professional and charitable work, Charlie Thomas makes it his responsibility to ensure individuals have access to justice if they’ve been hurt on the road. He concentrates his legal practice on advocating for those who have sustained personal injuries during bicycle crashes or motor vehicle crashes. Thomas is an accomplished litigator who also helps with matters involving first-party property claims, business torts, as well as class action and multi-district litigation cases.

From the beginning of your case, Charlie Thomas makes sure that he clearly explains the process to you and ensures you understand your options. Thomas relies on his strong work ethic during long, multi-district cases or complex litigation, but he knows that’s not always enough. Instead, he approaches legal problems strategically. At the start of every case, Thomas develops a number of creative solutions to help his clients. For bicycle litigation, he draws on his vast experience with numerous advocacy and safety organizations to inform his approach.

Thomas guides his clients towards a successful resolution to their case—whatever that looks like for them. Whether a case resolves with a voluntary settlement at mediation or after a trial verdict, he’s there for his clients from the beginning and every step along the way.

Charlie is also the Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi delegate for Bike Law, which is a national group dedicated to advocating for the rights of cyclists.

Education

  • Juris Doctor: Louisiana State University’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center
  • Bachelor’s Degrees: Texas A&M University, Bachelor of Business Administration, and Louisiana State University’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Bachelor of Civil Law

Professional Activities and Memberships

  • Licensed to practice in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Washington D.C.
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Louisiana State Bar Association
  • Mississippi State Bar Association
  • Texas State Bar Association
  • New Orleans Bar Association
  • Bicycle Litigation Group Executive for American Association for Justice
  • Mississippi Association for Justice
  • Louisiana Association for Justice
  • Faculty Member of LSU Trial Advocacy Program
  • Committee Chair for Bike Easy
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Logan E. Schonekas

Partner

Logan Schonekas is a litigation savvy attorney who’s dedicated to guiding her clients throughout complex legal matters. Schonekas primarily practices civil litigation cases, with a focus in personal injury and wrongful death, products liability, commercial litigation, and multi-district litigation.

Logan knows that the majority of her clients come to her after a devastating loss or personal injury that affects them not only physically and financially, but also emotionally. During this time, they need straightforward explanations about the legal process and a partner who can guide them through their options.

Schonekas is that partner—determined and dependable every step of the way. For her, that means she’s always in contact and available to answer any questions you have. Logan is also upfront about what you can expect when it comes to resolving your case and getting the justice you deserve. She uses a creative, collaborative approach to understand all aspects of your case and strategize about your possible remedies.

Further, Schonekas prepares for every case as if it’s going to court. That way you’re prepared, no matter which course you decide to take with your case. Schonekas has the ability to navigate complex legal issues while always keeping your best interests at the forefront of her practice.

Education

  • Juris Doctor: Louisiana State University’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center
  • Bachelor’s Degree: Washington and Lee University, Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications

Professional Activities and Memberships

  • Licensed to practice in Louisiana
  • Louisiana State Bar Association
  • American Association for Justice
  • Louisiana Association for Justice
  • Federal Bar Association
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Christopher Whelen

Attorney

Chris is a trial attorney with a wide range of experience litigating and trying cases involving toxic torts, asbestos exposures, catastrophic trucking and automobile accidents, slip & falls, medical malpractice, products liability, bad faith claims brought against insurance companies, and business disputes. He combines this experience with an unrelenting work ethic and detail-oriented litigation strategy to achieve the best possible result for his clients.

Chris also knows that the legal process can be confusing for clients. He is always available to answer questions about your case, and strives to provide clients with the knowledge they need to fully understand all of their options.

Prior to joining the firm, Chris worked as a litigation attorney in New Orleans.

Education

Juris Doctor: Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, summa cum laude, 2014; William L. Crowe, Sr. scholar; Order of Barristers; Member, Loyola Law review; Board Member, Loyola Moot Court.
Bachelor’s Degree: Louisiana State University, Bachelor of Science in Economics.

Professional Activities and Memberships

Licensed to practice in all Louisiana State and Federal Courts

Member of the Louisiana State Bar Association

Louisiana State Law Institute, Junior Honorary member

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our attorneys

Rylee Area

Attorney

Rylee is a trial lawyer with vast experience litigating catastrophic accidents, products liability, civil rights violations, and commercial disputes. Before rejoining Huber Thomas, he was a partner at an insurance defense firm in New Orleans for several years. However, his prior practice included representing plaintiffs which led him to understand his true professional calling is representing individuals, not insurance companies. Rylee began his professional career as one of Huber Thomas’ original law clerks, and he had been eager to return ever since.

Having years of experience as a defense attorney, Rylee is particularly well-suited to help his clients navigate litigation through his intimate understanding of how insurance companies operate. This knowledge, coupled with his compassion and relentless efforts, have enabled Rylee to recover millions of dollars for his clients. Rylee also represents businesses in their day-to-day operations as well as in litigation. He has tried cases across the State and truly loves advocating for his clients in the courtroom.

Education

  • Juris Doctor: Louisiana State University’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center
  • Bachelor’s Degree: Louisiana State University in Finance

Professional Activities and Memberships

  • Licensed to practice in all Louisiana State and Federal Courts
  • Member of the Louisiana State Bar Association
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our attorneys

Taylor M. Bologna

Attorney

Taylor Bologna is an effective and creative trial attorney, who knows that attention to detail and careful analysis often carry the day in any litigation. While pursuing and even after completing his law degree at Loyola University, Taylor had the opportunity to work in several different fields, across a variety of industries. His diverse experience includes working as an oilfield roustabout; serving as part of the in-house legal department of an international marine transportation company; and, most recently, working as an attorney at one of the largest regional law firms in the city. Taylor draws upon those experiences and employs a unique approach to problem solving every day in his practice.

Taylor has handled countless personal injury claims arising under the Jones Act, LHWCA, and general maritime law. He also has experience handling cases involving vessel collisions/allisions, cargo disputes, contribution and indemnity disputes, and various other commercial matters. Taylor’s previous background as a defense attorney provides him with an intimate understanding of the innerworkings of both foreign and domestic insurance companies and the tactics their attorneys often use to value and defend certain claims. That knowledge not only gives Taylor a tactical advantage when parties reach an impasse in litigation, but it also allows him to work efficiently and professionally with opposing counsel as he advocates for his clients’ best interests.

Since joining Huber Thomas, Taylor has focused his entire practice on the representation of plaintiffs in commercial, property, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury cases. Taylor was selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in both 2021 and 2022 in the areas of Transportation/Maritime Law. He is admitted to practice in all Louisiana state and federal courts.

Education

  • Juris Doctor: Loyola University College of Law, Order of the Barristers
  • Bachelor’s Degree: Louisiana State University

Professional Activities and Memberships

  • Licensed to practice in Louisiana
  • Louisiana State Bar Association
  • Louisiana Association for Justice
  • Federal Bar Association
  • New Orleans Bar Association
  • Maritime Law Association of the United States
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our attorney

Lacey M. Moghis

Attorney

Lacey joined the firm after several years working with a large defense firm in New Orleans, representing corporations in complex litigation. She now brings that experience to Huber Thomas while handling a variety of cases, including personal injury, products liability, toxic tort, asbestos exposure, automobile accidents, and personal/commercial property claims. Lacey’s prior experience as defense counsel provides her with a unique perspective and ability to develop litigation strategies in representing the firm’s clients. Prior to her admission to the Louisiana Bar, Lacey graduated magna cum laude from Loyola University College of Law New Orleans, where she was in the top 15% of her class, competed nationally as a Moot Court oralist, and externed for the Honorable Judge Ervin-Knott at Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans. Lacey is admitted to practice before all federal and state courts in the state of Louisiana.

Education

• Juris Doctor: Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, Magna Cum Laude
• Bachelor’s Degree: Louisiana State University, Bachelor of Arts in Political Communications, Magna Cum Laude

Professional Activities and Memberships
• Licensed to practice in Louisiana
• Louisiana State Bar Association
• Federal Bar Association

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Fred Olinde

Fred Olinde

Of Counsel

Fred Olinde is a trial lawyer with 28 years of experience. He is the owner of the Olinde Firm and is of counsel to Huber Thomas. Fred graduated from Tulane Law School and then went to the New Orleans District Attorney’s Office where he tried over 100 jury cases.

For the past 22 years, he has practiced civil litigation and has successfully tried and settled numerous products liability and personal injury cases. He handles cases nationwide in conjunction with local counsel and/or in cases which call for Multi District Litigation. He practices in mass tort pharmaceutical and medical device litigation, products liability claims and personal injury, all litigation and trial advocacy on behalf of patients and public consumers. The focus of his practice is mass torts.

He is a member of the Products Liability Section of the American Association of Justice (“AAJ”), as well as STEP which focuses on medical device products liability litigation and pharmaceutical litigation.

Fred currently serves on the Plaintiff’s Executive Committee of the national Onglyza Litigation in Multi-District Litigation.

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