When a business dispute threatens what you’ve built, you need attorneys who are prepared to go to trial. At Melancon, Rimes & Daquanno, a named partner manages every commercial litigation case personally.
Combined Legal Experience
Trial Lost in Over 20 Years
Commercial litigation doesn’t just drain your legal budget. It disrupts operations, damages key relationships, and ties up leadership when they should be focused on running the business.
Common situations businesses face:
If you’re in one of these situations, waiting rarely helps. The other side is already building their case.
At Melancon, Rimes & Daquanno, we represent businesses and individuals in complex commercial disputes. We’ve litigated multi-million dollar cases in Louisiana state courts and federal courts across the country, including a $16 million consumer fraud judgment and a $1.5 million antitrust settlement.
We take commercial cases selectively because this work demands full commitment. When we accept your case, you get a named partner managing it from start to finish, with every decision made by someone with real trial experience.
We represent clients in a wide range of business disputes throughout Livingston Parish and the greater Baton Rouge region. If you’re unsure whether your situation qualifies, contact us and we’ll give you a direct answer.
When another party fails to honor their contractual obligations and your business has suffered losses as a direct result.
Protecting your proprietary business information and technical designs from misappropriation by employees, competitors, or third parties
Pursuing or defending patent-related disputes where intellectual property rights are at issue.
Challenging anti-competitive conduct, price-fixing arrangements, or monopolistic behavior that harms your business.
Recovering losses when you've been the victim of fraudulent conduct inside a commercial relationship.
Commercial disputes that don't fit a single category but involve wrongful conduct that has caused measurable harm to your business.
Every commercial dispute is different. We evaluate each case individually and tell you honestly what we think before you commit to anything.
When you hire Melancon, Rimes & Daquanno, you’re not hiring one attorney. You get the collective knowledge of our entire firm behind your case. Learn more about our team and experience.
You won't be passed to a junior associate. One of our named partners oversees your matter from the first call through resolution or trial.
e don't assume your case will settle. Every matter is prepared for full litigation, which typically produces better outcomes whether or not it reaches a courtroom.
We've handled multi-million dollar commercial disputes spanning years of litigation. Complex, contentious cases are not new to us.
We're admitted to all three U.S. District Courts in Louisiana and before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and have litigated in federal courts in Georgia, Texas, California, and New York.
We evaluate every commercial case carefully before agreeing to take it on. Here’s how the process works from first contact to resolution.
A named partner listens to the details of your dispute, asks clarifying questions, and gives you an honest assessment of your options.
We review the relevant contracts, communications, and records to assess the strength of your claim and the most effective strategy.
A partner builds a litigation plan specific to your case, including whether expert witnesses, depositions, or extensive discovery will be required.
We file suit and pursue aggressive discovery to uncover the evidence that supports your position.
Whether the case settles or goes to trial, we're fully prepared for both. We never negotiate without being ready to walk into a courtroom.
From the first call to resolution, you’ll always know where your case stands. You communicate directly with your attorney.
Reach your attorney directly by phone, text, or email throughout the life of your case. You'll never be handed off.
We take commercial cases to maximize individual outcomes, not to process volume. Our interests align directly with yours.
We've litigated in courts across Louisiana and in federal courts in multiple states, giving us perspective that shapes how we position your case.
When a partner manages your case personally, there's no diffusion of responsibility. Someone experienced is accountable for your outcome every step of the way.
We’ve handled commercial disputes that required years of litigation and substantial resources. A few examples of outcomes we’ve achieved for our clients are listed below. You can also view our full case results.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case turns on its own facts and circumstances.
Commercial litigation is not handled on a contingency fee basis. There is no “no win, no fee” structure for business disputes.
We offer a free initial consultation so you can present your situation to a named partner and get an honest assessment before committing to anything. During that conversation, we’ll discuss the nature of your dispute, the likely scope of litigation, and the fee arrangement that applies to your matter. We explain costs clearly before any engagement begins so you have a full picture upfront.
What you can count on:
"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."
Approximately 99% of people who consult with us choose to hire our firm. That conversion rate reflects the trust we’ve built in the Baton Rouge legal community and among the clients who refer others to us. Read client reviews.
Jason Melancon, Robert Rimes, and R. Lee Daquanno bring more than 50 years of combined legal experience to every case. They’ve litigated in state and federal courts across Louisiana and in courts in Georgia, Texas, California, and New York. Jason Melancon is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. Learn more about Jason Melancon, Robert Rimes, and Lee Daquanno.
LSU Law School (Juris Doctor), Senior Associate with the Louisiana Law Review. Recognized as a Super Lawyer (2018-2021) and Rising Star (2013-2015). 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 the 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.
Every attorney at MRD brings the collective weight of the firm behind your case.
We handle breach of contract, trade secret theft, patent infringement, antitrust and unfair trade practice claims, business fraud, and other commercial disputes. These cases typically involve significant financial stakes and complex factual records. If you’re unsure whether your situation qualifies, call us for a free consultation. We’ll give you a direct answer based on the specific facts of your dispute, not a generic assessment. The consultation itself is free and handled by a named partner, not a staff member.
Commercial litigation timelines vary significantly depending on the complexity of the dispute and how aggressively both sides pursue discovery. A straightforward contract dispute may resolve in under a year. Multi-party litigation involving expert witnesses and extensive document production can take several years. We’ve handled commercial cases that spanned over a decade. We give every client a realistic timeline estimate at the outset based on what your specific case actually involves, so you can plan accordingly.
Commercial litigation fees are structured differently than personal injury work. There is no contingency arrangement. During your free initial consultation, a named partner will explain how fees apply to your specific matter, including what discovery and trial preparation typically look like from a cost perspective. We discuss this before you engage us so there are no surprises. The complexity of the dispute, the amount of discovery required, and whether the case goes to trial are all factors that influence total legal costs.
Most commercial disputes settle before trial, but settlements are only worth pursuing if the terms are genuinely favorable to you. Our approach is to prepare every case for trial from the start. That preparation puts you in a stronger position when it’s time to negotiate. If the other side won’t offer a fair resolution, we’re ready to try the case. We don’t let the prospect of trial push us toward an inadequate settlement, and neither should you.
Many firms assign commercial litigation to associates while partners supervise from a distance. At MRD, a named partner manages your case directly from start to finish. The attorney with the most experience makes the strategic decisions, communicates with you throughout, and knows your case inside and out. That’s a material difference when the case reaches critical junctures, whether in discovery disputes, settlement negotiations, or trial preparation.
We’re licensed in all Louisiana state courts and admitted to 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. We’ve also litigated commercial matters in federal courts in Georgia, Texas, California, and New York. If your dispute involves out-of-state parties or federal questions, we have the court experience to handle it.
For more general questions about our firm and how we work, visit our FAQ page.
Melancon, Rimes & Daquanno is based in Baton Rouge and represents businesses and individuals throughout the greater Baton Rouge area. We serve clients in Livingston Parish, including Denham Springs, as well as the parishes and communities listed below. If a business dispute arises in this region, we can help.
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
If your matter falls outside these areas, contact us and we’ll tell you whether we can help.
Protect your business interests with attorneys who prepare every case for trial.
Hours:
Mon – Thu: 8:30am – 4:30pm | Fri: 8:30am – 3:30pm