When a business dispute turns into a legal fight, you need attorneys who are ready to go to trial, not just talk about it. Melancon, Rimes & Daquanno has 50+ years of combined experience protecting business interests in Central and across Louisiana.
Combined Experience
Lost one trial in 20 years
Most commercial disputes don’t start in a courtroom. They start with a broken contract, a stolen idea, or a business partner acting in bad faith. By the time you realize legal action is necessary, the other side is often already ahead.
Waiting to act gives the other side more time to prepare. The sooner you get experienced legal counsel involved, the better positioned you’ll be.
At Melancon, Rimes & Daquanno, we carefully select the commercial litigation cases we take on so we can dedicate the time and resources each matter requires. When we take your case, we are fully committed to it.
Our trial-ready approach means we prepare for litigation from day one. We don’t assume a settlement is coming. We build your case for the courtroom, which puts you in a stronger position whether the matter resolves at the negotiating table or in front of a judge.
We represent clients in a wide range of business and commercial disputes across Louisiana.
When a party fails to honor the terms of a signed agreement, we pursue full recovery for your losses.
We protect your proprietary information, technical designs, and confidential business strategies from misappropriation.
We handle disputes involving the unauthorized use of patented technology, processes, or designs.
We take on illegal price-fixing schemes, anti-competitive agreements, and other unfair market practices.
We pursue recovery when another party has used deception to cause financial harm to your business.
We handle a variety of other disputes including interference with business relations and conspiracy claims.
No two commercial disputes are the same. If your situation doesn’t fit neatly into a category above, contact us and we’ll evaluate your case directly.
You won't be handed off to a junior associate. A partner manages your commercial litigation matter from the first meeting through resolution.
We prepare every case for litigation. That discipline shows in how we negotiate and how we perform in court.
We've handled high-stakes commercial litigation including trade secret cases involving public officials and multi-year antitrust disputes.
When you hire one attorney at our firm, you get access to the knowledge of all three partners across multiple practice areas.
Our work in commercial litigation requires the same preparation and focus we bring to every case. We’ve secured significant results in business disputes, and we take that same approach to every matter we accept
When you bring a commercial dispute to Melancon, Rimes & Daquanno, here’s how the process typically unfolds:
We review the facts of your dispute, answer your questions, and give you an honest assessment of your legal options and realistic outcomes.
If we accept your case, we develop a litigation strategy tailored to your specific facts, goals, and the opposing parties involved.
We gather contracts, communications, financial records, and other documentation. We bring in expert witnesses when needed to establish damages or validate technical claims.
We pursue a resolution that serves your interests, whether through negotiation or in the courtroom. We don't push for settlement just to close a file.
We see your matter through to a conclusion and keep you informed at every stage so there are no surprises.
Given the complexity of commercial litigation, timelines vary. We’ll give you honest expectations based on your specific circumstances at the outset.
You'll communicate directly with the attorney managing your case, not a rotating staff of associates. Every question goes to the person who knows your matter.
Opposing counsel knows we try cases. That track record changes how the other side negotiates, often before the case ever reaches a courtroom.
In our trade secret litigation, we reviewed tens of thousands of pages of documents to uncover key evidence. We don't take shortcuts in discovery.
We take commercial cases carefully because we're committed to the matters we accept. You won't be one of hundreds of open files at our firm.
We have handled complex commercial litigation matters at the state and federal level and secured significant results for our clients.
Secured reimbursement for 67,000 Louisiana consumers charged illegal fees
Challenged an illegal vertical price-fixing scheme in Pointe Coupee Parish
13-year litigation against public officials and private competitors
*Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is evaluated on its own facts and circumstances.
Commercial litigation is handled on a case-by-case fee arrangement. We offer a free initial consultation where we review your matter, answer your questions, and discuss the fee structure appropriate for your situation.
Because commercial litigation is work-intensive and highly fact-specific, we carefully evaluate each potential case before accepting it. We’re selective about what we take on because we’re committed to providing thorough representation when we do. During your free consultation, we’ll give you an honest assessment of your case and explain what representation would involve, including costs and realistic timeline expectations.
"Great experience. They were very professional and were there whenever I called or needed them. My settlement was well worth the wait. I recommend them to anyone needing legal services. They will fight for you and get you what you deserve for your injuries. I didn't just gain good legal representation, I also gained friends and a law firm that cared."
"Great people who really care about your situation. They did everything possible to take care of my family. I would highly recommend Jason, Robert, and the whole team. Top notch."
"I couldn't be more pleased with choosing Jason and all of the associates at Melancon & Rimes. I was told by several people throughout the duration of my litigation that I was in good hands with one of the best attorneys in Louisiana, and the results did not disappoint. A very efficient group that worked diligently to win my case and keep me well informed along the way."
"Jason and his entire staff are terrific. They are honest, thorough, meticulous and totally professional. You could not ask for more from a law firm. Highly recommended."
Most of our clients come through referrals from former clients and attorneys who trust us with serious matters. That referral rate reflects the personal attention we bring to every case.
Melancon, Rimes & Daquanno was founded in 2005 by Jason Melancon and Robert Rimes, with Lee Daquanno joining as a named partner in 2022. Together, our three partners bring more than 50 years of combined legal experience across commercial litigation, personal injury, appellate litigation, and more. When you hire our firm, you don’t hire one attorney. You get the full collective knowledge of all three partners.
Our partners have handled complex litigation at state and federal levels across Louisiana and beyond.
Jason Melancon is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, in addition to all Louisiana state and federal courts.
Our trial record reflects the preparation and discipline we bring to every case we accept.
Our attorneys have litigated in federal courts across Louisiana, Georgia, Texas, California, and New York.
Our trial record and federal court experience set us apart from firms that rarely see the inside of a courtroom.
We represent both businesses and individuals involved in commercial disputes. This includes small business owners, distributors, technology companies, and other corporate clients. The common thread across our commercial cases is that our clients are facing high-stakes disputes where having experienced trial counsel matters. We have represented clients in trade secret cases, antitrust litigation, consumer fraud class actions, and breach of contract matters. Whether you’re the plaintiff pursuing a claim or a business defending against one, we evaluate each matter on its own facts to determine whether we can provide effective representation.
That’s one of the first things we evaluate during your free consultation. We look at the strength of your evidence, the likely damages, and the practical costs of litigation. Commercial litigation is time-intensive and expensive for both sides, so we give you an honest assessment rather than encouraging litigation that isn’t in your best interest. If the matter has merit and the potential recovery justifies the effort, we’ll tell you clearly. If it doesn’t, we’ll tell you that too. You won’t leave a consultation with us without a realistic picture of where you stand.
It depends heavily on the complexity of the matter. Some disputes are resolved within months through negotiation once the right legal pressure is applied. Others involve multiple defendants, expert witnesses, or extensive document review, and can take several years. Every case is different, and we’ll give you a realistic timeline based on your specific facts, the parties involved, and the court’s docket at the outset of your engagement.
Yes. Our attorneys are admitted to the U.S. District Courts for the Middle, Eastern, and Western Districts of Louisiana, as well as the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Jason Melancon is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. Beyond Louisiana, our attorneys have litigated in federal courts in Georgia, Texas, California, and New York. If your dispute involves federal claims, out-of-state parties, or federal jurisdiction for any reason, we have the court admissions and experience to handle it.
Any contracts, correspondence, agreements, or other documents relevant to the dispute. The more context we have going in, the more useful the consultation will be for you. If you have emails, written agreements, financial records, or any documentation of the conduct at issue, bring it or send it ahead of time. Don’t worry if your documentation is incomplete. We can discuss what records are likely to exist, how to obtain them through discovery, and what the absence of certain documentation means for your case.
Not necessarily, but we prepare every case as if it will. Many commercial disputes resolve through negotiation or mediation before reaching trial, but that doesn’t mean you should hire attorneys who are unprepared to try the case. Our trial-ready preparation gives us leverage in negotiations because the other side knows we won’t back down from a courtroom. We’ve only lost one trial in 20 years across all practice areas. When settlement is the right outcome, we pursue it. When trial is necessary, we’re ready.
Our office is based in Baton Rouge, and we represent clients throughout Central and the greater Baton Rouge region. If your business is in Central, Baton Rouge, or the surrounding parishes, we’re ready to help with your commercial dispute.
East Baton Rouge | West Baton Rouge | Ascension | Livingston | Iberville | Pointe Coupee | West Feliciana | East Feliciana | St. Helena
Baton Rouge | Port Allen | Denham Springs | St. George | Central | Baker | Zachary | Plaquemine | St. Gabriel | Addis | Brusly | Shenandoah | Village St. George | Oak Hills Place | Inniswold | Gardere Place | Clinton
If you’re dealing with a commercial dispute anywhere in the greater Baton Rouge area, contact us to schedule a free consultation.
LSU Law School (Juris Doctor), Senior Associate with the Louisiana Law Review. Recognized as a Super Lawyer (2018-2021). Admitted to U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and U.S. Supreme Court.
Loyola University School of Law (Juris Doctor), Member of Moot Court Staff, finalist for J. Sanford Levy best brief writing competition.
Southern University Law Center (Juris Doctor, magna cum laude), Senior editor of Southern University Law Review. Admitted to U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.