about
we are much more than your average law firm…
Since its founding in 1928, Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson, LLP is a litigation firm dedicated to the defense of insurance companies and their insureds. The firm is comprised of over fifty professional and dedicated attorneys who make client sucess their number one objective. Over the past 95 years the firm’s practice has continued to expand its practice to include the representation of clients in the transportation and maritime fields, in business litigation in labor health and employment law matters as well as in all levels of appellate litigation.
Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson has a long history of success in state and federal courtrooms across Louisiana.
Our strength as an insurance defense firm is recognized throughout Louisiana. The trial abilities, character, integrity and diligence of our founding members – pioneers in the defense of insurance companies- continue to characterize the work of the lawyers in the firm in their representation of insurers and their insureds.
history
1928
Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson, LLP is the second oldest law firm in Louisiana primarily focused throughout its history in insurance defense. It is the tenth oldest firm in Louisiana. The firm was founded in 1928 by William A. Porteous, Jr., F. Carter Johnson, Jr. and Julian Humphrey. Mr. Porteous was among the earliest members of the International Association of Defense Counsel having attended its first meeting. Mr. Porteous and Mr. Humphrey were founders of the Federation of Insurance Counsel. Mr. Humphrey served as President in 1947 and Mr. Porteous served as President in 1962.
1962
Following World War II, the firm became Porteous & Johnson. In the 1950’s & early 60’s , the firm grew substantially. Mr. Parnell Hyland became a partner. The deaths of F. Carter Johnson, Jr. & Mr. Hyland in 1964 left Mr. Porteous as the sole surviving partner. In 1967 he created Porteous, Toledano, Hainkel, & Johnson and retired from the firm leaving partners John J. Hainkel Jr., Benjamin C. Toledano, William A. Porteous, III, & C. Gordon Johnson, Jr. William A. Porteous, Jr. died in 1969. Henry Leon Sarpy joined the firm as a partner 1973.
1983
In 1983 the firm became Porteous, Hainkel, Johnson & Sarpy. The firm continued to grow and established offices in Thibodaux, Covington, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. On November 1, 2023, the firm will open an office in Lafayette, Louisiana. The Lafayette Office will be the firm’s fifth location. Charles L. Chassaignac, IV is the Managing Partner of the firm and leads the Baton Rouge Office, James R. Nieset, Jr. leads the New Orleans office, Darrin M. O’Connor leads the Covington office and Michael G. Gee leads the firm’s Thibodaux office.
present day
Attorneys at Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson are active in civic, business & cultural activities in the community & in the bar. John J Hainkel, Jr. was elected to the Legislature in 1996 & eventually rose to become Speaker of the House of Representatives. He was then elected to the Louisiana State Senate & served as its President. William A. Porteous, III was an adjunct professor of Martime Law at the Tulane University School of Law for over twenty years. The firm members are also active in all insurance defense organizations and business organizations. Numerous members of the firm, including C. Gordon Johnson, Jr. & Adrianne L. Baumgartner, have served as Presidents and Board Members of the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, as well as the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. Members of the firm also regularly advise and testify as to legislation relevant to the insurance industry in Louisiana.
