How Can I Help You Move Forward?

With more than four decades of experience in multiple legal disciplines, I represent and support my clients in a wide range of business litigation and transactional matters. My clients count on my experience handling more than 80 reported cases, major business transactions, and complex Chapter 11 reorganizations, either as lead debtors' counsel or UCC counsel. 

Overview

A cofounder of the firm recognized as a leader in bankruptcy and maritime law, Stewart Peck’s practice is focused on: 

  • Bankruptcy, restructuring and creditors’ rights 
  • Admiralty and maritime 
  • Marine and asset-based finance 
  • Commercial litigation 
  • Corporate and M&A 
  • Oil and gas 

Stewart has served as lead trial and appellate counsel in a wide array of reported cases in the federal and state courts. He has participated in oral argument before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit 19 times, as well as before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, the Louisiana courts of appeal and the Louisiana Supreme Court. 

He is either presently acting or has previously acted as debtor’s lead counsel or creditors’ counsel in a number of Chapter 11 bankruptcies involving companies operating within and outside of the Gulf Coast region. Stewart has also handled significant marine finance transactions, as well as substantial mergers and acquisitions. For a number of regional businesses, he provides legal expertise and support as outside general counsel. 

Stewart has an ability to see the battlefield, take strategic control of his client’s best interests and drive things to a conclusion for their benefit.

Bankruptcy/Restructuring Client – Chambers

Outside the Office

Stewart is an avid art collector and member of an art museum board, enjoys attending college and professional sporting events, and loves to travel. 

Education

  • Tulane University School of Law, J.D., Order of the Coif, 1977
    • Tulane Law Review, Member
    • Order of the Coif
  • Kenyon College, B.A., magna cum laude, with distinction, 1974
    • Phi Beta Kappa 
    • Distinction in Political Science 

Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • Louisiana

Court Admissions

  • All Louisiana State Courts
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana
  • U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Professional

  • Louisiana State Bar Association 
  • New Orleans Bar Association 
    • Past Bankruptcy Committee Chair  
  • Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit 
  • Maritime Law Association 
  • Special Advisory Committee, Louisiana Law Institute

Community

  • Chair, Stewardship Committee, St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church 
  • Member, Alumni Council, Kenyon College 
  • Co-Chair, 50th Reunion Committee, Kenyon College 
  • Member of the Board of Directors of The Gund (art museum) 

  • Super Lawyers, Bankruptcy & Maritime Law (2010-2024)
  • Louisiana Super Lawyers: Top 50
  • Best Lawyers (2009-2024)
  • Chambers USA Guide, Bankruptcy/Restructuring (2011-2023)
  • New Orleans Magazines “Top Lawyers” (2016-2023)
  • Inside New Orleans Reader’s Favorite “Elite Lawyers” (2022-2023)
  • Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating

  • Co-presenter with Benjamin Kadden, “Financing Debt and Equity: Overcoming Obstacles” and “Top Mistakes Made During an Acquisition and How to Avoid Them, “National Business Institutes’ program: “Buying and Selling a Business: Start-to-Finish,” December 9, 2016 
  • “Marine Finance and Liens,” A Panel Discussion, Golden Rules: Tulane Admiralty Law Institute and Maritime Law Association’s 50-Year Reunion, October 2016 
  • “Bankruptcy issues are becoming increasingly prevalent in all areas of practice. Are you ready for when they knock on your door?” University of Texas School of Law’s 25th Annual Admiralty and Maritime Law Conference, August 2016 
  • “Proving Damages in Commercial Cases,” New Orleans Bar Association’s Bench Bar Conference, March 2016 
  • “When is Involuntary Bankruptcy an Option?” Blog, October 12, 2015 
  • Coauthor, “What is a Vessel?: Implications for Marine Finance, Marine Insurance, and Admiralty Jurisdiction,” 89 Tul. L. Rev. 1103 (June 2015) 
  •  “Navigating the Murky Waters of Admiralty and Bankruptcy Law,” 87 Tul. L. Rev. 955 (June 2013) 
  • “Navigating the Murky Waters of Admiralty and Bankruptcy Law,” 24th Admiralty Law Institute, Tulane University Law School, March 14, 2013 
  • “Taking Advantage of the Louisiana Oil Well Lien Act (LOWLA),” July 10, 2009 

Stewart 's Insights