JUSTICE DOESN'T JUST HAPPEN.
IT MUST BE WON.
A 50-year history of delivering justice. A legacy that continues...
Lewis' History
"The Lawyer's Lawyer"
Take a look into Lewis' history as one of the most successful and well-known trial lawyers in the nation.
1970s
Received Juris Doctor from LSU Law School
Admitted to practice in all Louisiana state courts, the U.S. District Courts for the Middle, Eastern, and Western Districts of Louisiana, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court
1977
Founded the Unglesby Law Firm
Associate Attorney at D’Amico & Curet Law Firm
1974
1978
Set precedent advocating for abused women by becoming the first lawyer in Louisiana history to successfully use the battered woman syndrome defense for a woman who shot her violent husband while protecting herself.
1980s
Defended Governor Edwin Edwards
WISNER V. ILLINOIS CENTRAL GULF RAILROAD
This landmark case resulted in the first multi-million-dollar toxic tort award in the state. Terry Wisner, a state trooper, was exposed to toxic chemicals during a derailment and later developed various undefined illnesses. The jury awarded nearly $3 million.
Defended Barry Seal
MICHAEL CARTER
Unglesby secured the release and compensation of Michael Carter, who had been wrongfully charged with first-degree murder of a police officer, after it was shown that his confession was coerced.
ROBERT BLANTON
Unglesby secured the federal habeas release of Robert Blanton, who had been convicted of the contract killing of a well-known businessman. At trial, all co-defendants who testified against Blanton told the jury they had received no guarantees of leniency. In federal court, those same witnesses later admitted that plea and leniency agreements had been in place before they testified. After those Brady violations were proven, Blanton was granted a new trial. He was never retried and later became a country singer in Atlanta.
1990s
RODNEY PEAIRS
Unglesby secured the acquittal of Rodney Peairs, who was charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of a 16-year-old Japanese exchange student. The defense focused on whether Peairs acted reasonably as a frightened homeowner who believed an intruder was at his door after the teenager mistakenly arrived at his house while trying to attend a Halloween party. After a week-long trial, the jury deliberated for approximately three hours before unanimously returning a not-guilty verdict.
LAING V. AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Accidents involving 3-wheelers caused severe injuries and deaths. As a result of Unglesby Law Firm’s successful verdict against Honda, federal regulations were changed to protect riders, and 3-wheelers were no longer allowed to be sold in the United States.
2000s
IN RE COMBUSTION, INC.
Unglesby Law Firm was among a group of firms that won more than $130 million for people affected by a hazardous waste disposal site (an EPA Superfund site) in Livingston Parish. A portion of these funds helped create the Livingston Literacy & Technology Center.
TERRANCE V. DOW CHEMICAL CO.
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James Terrance was exposed to asbestos while working as a contractor at Exxon facilities and later died from mesothelioma. Exxon denied responsibility, but Unglesby Law Firm proved that Exxon specified and required the use of asbestos-containing materials on its property and knew of the dangers associated with
asbestos exposure. The jury awarded $5 million.
2010s
CECOS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Unglesby Law Firm secured a $29.5 million settlement for landowners affected by a toxic waste disposal facility operated by CECOS International, Inc.
WHITE V. ENTERGY GULF STATES LOUISIANA, LLC
Tommy Lloyd White was exposed to asbestos while working at an Entergy power generation facility and died from mesothelioma. Unglesby Law Firm secured a $3.8 million award for the White family, defended the verdict on appeal, and
prevailed.
WILLIAMS V. PLACID OIL COMPANY
Jimmy Williams worked as a compressor operator and unknowingly brought home asbestos dust from his workplace, exposing his wife, Myra Williams, who later died from mesothelioma. Unglesby Law Firm showed that Ingersoll-Rand
knew for decades that asbestos was dangerous but failed to warn workers or put warnings on its asbestos-insulated equipment. The jury returned a $7 millionverdict for the Williams family.
LEGE V. UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION
Elray Lege was exposed to asbestos while working as an insulator and later died from mesothelioma. After a six-day trial, the jury awarded $8 million in general damages: $4 million for Mr. Lege’s pain and suffering, $2 million to his wife for
wrongful death, and $500,000 to each of his four adult children.
BARBER BROTHERS CONTRACTING CO. V. CAPITOL CITY PRODUCE CO.,
LLC
2020s
STAUDER V. SHELL OIL COMPANY
David Stauder was exposed to asbestos and later died from mesothelioma. Unglesby Law Firm secured a $10.3 million jury verdict against Union Carbide Corporation and a separate settlement from Shell Oil Company. On April 23,
2025, the Louisiana Supreme Court upheld wrongful-death awards of $2.75 million to each of Mr. Stauder’s daughters—the highest amounts ever affirmed in Louisiana for adult children who lost a parent to mesothelioma.
PHILIPS
Testing by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1994 found substantial amounts of contamination in a neighborhood in proximity to an industrial site owned by a company whose parent company was Philips North American. Those included DDT and some components of Agent Orange. Unglesby Law firm secures settlement against the company and Philips North America.
COMING TOGETHER
Served as Special Counsel to Louisiana State Senate
Served as Special Counsel to Governor Mike Foster
CROWN
In another precedent-setting case, the firm proved that seatbelts are necessary on both stand-up and sit-down forklifts. Through its victory over Crown Equipment Corporation, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of forklifts, Unglesby Law Firm has helped to protect countless American workers.
Frank Cushenberry was severely injured when a roadway construction worker reversed a vehicle into his lane on Interstate 10. After a trial lasting more than three weeks and involving dozens of witnesses, the jury awarded Mr. Cushenberry $10.75 million in general damages, along with loss-of-consortium damages to his wife and children. Unglesby Law Firm successfully argued this landmark case before the Louisiana Supreme Court, which established a new framework for reviewing general damage awards and affirmed the largest general-damages
award in Louisiana to date.
PERRY V. EMPLOYERS INSURANCE OF WAUSAU
Donald Perry worked as a millwright in the late 1970s and unknowingly brought home asbestos dust from his workplace, exposing his wife, Sue Perry. Mrs. Perry later developed asbestos-related lung cancer and died from progressive respiratory failure. Union Carbide Corporation argued that her death resulted from a separate preexisting pulmonary condition, but the evidence showed that take-home asbestos exposure from its facility was a substantial contributing cause. The court awarded $5 million to the Perry family, including $2.75 million for Mrs. Perry’s pain and suffering, $850,000 to her husband for wrongful death, and $700,000 to each of her adult daughters. The awards were upheld on appeal, and on November 11, 2025, the Louisiana Supreme Court denied writs.