Port Allen businesses face the same contract disputes, fraud cases, and trade secret conflicts as companies across the greater Baton Rouge area. When those disputes threaten your operations, you need attorneys who prepare for trial from day one. At Melancon, Rimes & Daquanno, we bring over 50 years of combined legal experience and a track record that includes a $16 million class action judgment to every commercial case we take on.
Combined Legal Experience
Trial Lost in Over 20 Years
Business disputes rarely come at a convenient time. Whether you are dealing with a broken contract, a partner acting in bad faith, or a competitor who has stolen proprietary information, the financial and operational consequences can be severe.
Without experienced legal representation, these issues tend to escalate. The longer a commercial dispute goes unaddressed, the more it costs your business in time, money, and opportunity.
Our commercial litigation practice is built on the same trial-ready approach that defines everything we do at Melancon, Rimes & Daquanno. We do not take on commercial cases to push them toward quick, undervalued settlements. We carefully evaluate each matter to ensure we can dedicate the time and resources it deserves, then we prepare as though it is going to trial.
Port Allen sits at the center of West Baton Rouge Parish’s commercial corridor, with manufacturing, distribution, and industrial operations running alongside local businesses of all sizes. We understand the dynamics of doing business here and across the greater Baton Rouge region, and we bring that local knowledge to every case.
Our commercial litigation team represents businesses and individuals in a range of complex disputes. We focus on cases where our trial experience and legal depth can make a meaningful difference in the outcome.
When a business partner, vendor, or client fails to honor the terms of a contractual agreement, causing financial harm to your company.
Protecting your proprietary business information, processes, and intellectual property from misappropriation by competitors or former employees.
Pursuing or defending disputes involving patented products, processes, or technologies that are central to your business operations.
Challenging anti-competitive practices such as price-fixing schemes, monopolistic behavior, and unfair trade practices that harm your business.
Recovering losses when your company has been the victim of fraudulent misrepresentation, deceptive dealings, or bad-faith business practices.
Class action and individual claims involving illegal fees, statutory violations, or deceptive practices that affect consumers or businesses.
Each case gets a thorough evaluation before we agree to take it on. Commercial litigation demands significant resources, and we commit fully to the matters we accept.
We are a locally owned firm with deep roots in the greater Baton Rouge area. Our attorneys have practiced before state and federal courts, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
A named partner directly manages your commercial litigation matter from start to finish. You work with experienced trial attorneys, not junior associates.
We prepare every case for full litigation. Insurance companies and opposing counsel know we will take a case to trial if a fair resolution cannot be reached.
Our commercial litigation results include a $16 million consumer fraud judgment, a $1.5 million antitrust settlement, and millions recovered in a 13-year trade secrets case.
When you hire one attorney at our firm, you get the knowledge and experience of the entire team. Our partners collaborate on strategy across practice areas.
Knowing what the process looks like can make a stressful situation more manageable. Here is how a commercial litigation case typically moves forward with our firm.
We meet with you to understand the dispute, review relevant documents, and assess whether the case is a strong fit for our firm.
We gather evidence, retain expert witnesses when needed, and develop a litigation strategy tailored to your specific situation.
We file the appropriate legal action and work through the discovery process, including document review and depositions.
If the opposing side presents a fair resolution, we evaluate it with you. If not, we are fully prepared to take the case to trial.
Once the case concludes, we ensure all judgments or settlement terms are properly executed and enforced.
Commercial litigation timelines vary significantly based on the complexity of the dispute. Some cases resolve within a year; others, such as our trade secrets case involving public officials, spanned 13 years. We will give you a realistic timeline based on the specifics of your matter.
You communicate directly with the partner managing your case. No call centers, no gatekeepers, no hand-offs to associates who are unfamiliar with your matter.
We review tens of thousands of pages of documents when necessary, retain expert witnesses, and build the strongest possible case before entering a courtroom.
Our approach is to maximize the outcome for each individual client, not to process cases at volume. Your interests and ours are aligned.
Our attorneys are admitted to practice in all Louisiana state courts, multiple federal district courts, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Our commercial litigation outcomes demonstrate what happens when experienced trial attorneys commit fully to a case.
Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your matter.
We offer a free initial consultation for all commercial litigation matters. During this meeting, we will review the details of your dispute, assess its merits, and discuss potential paths forward.
Commercial litigation fee arrangements differ from personal injury cases, where we work on a contingency basis. For commercial disputes, we discuss the most appropriate fee structure during your consultation based on the nature and scope of your case. We work with clients to determine an arrangement that aligns with the specifics of their matter.
"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."
Our referral-based practice speaks for itself. Approximately 99% of people who consult with us choose to hire our firm.
Our three partners bring more than 50 years of combined legal experience to every case. Jason Melancon graduated valedictorian from Broadmoor High School, earned his Biological Engineering degree from LSU, and received his Juris Doctor from LSU Law School, where he served as Senior Associate with the Louisiana Law Review. He has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star and Super Lawyer. Robert Rimes earned his Juris Doctor from Loyola University School of Law in New Orleans, where he was a Moot Court Staff member and finalist for the Levy best brief writing competition. Lee Daquanno graduated magna cum laude from Southern University Law Center and served as senior editor of the Southern University Law Review.
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.
Our attorneys have the depth of experience to handle high-stakes commercial disputes at every level of the court system.
We represent businesses of all sizes across a range of industries, from local Port Allen operations and West Baton Rouge Parish companies to larger regional enterprises. Our commercial litigation clients have included technology companies, distributors, manufacturers, and individual business owners. The common thread is that each case involves a significant business dispute where experienced trial representation can make a material difference in the outcome.
Timelines vary widely depending on the complexity of the dispute, the number of parties involved, and whether the case goes to trial. Some commercial cases resolve within one to two years through settlement negotiations. More complex matters, particularly those involving extensive document discovery, multiple defendants, or appeals, can take significantly longer. Our antitrust case resolved in three years, while our trade secrets case involving public officials spanned 13 years. We will provide you with realistic expectations based on the specifics of your situation.
We offer a free initial consultation where we evaluate your case and discuss fee arrangements. Unlike personal injury cases, which typically operate on a contingency fee basis, commercial litigation fee structures are determined based on the nature and scope of the dispute. We discuss all fee arrangements transparently during your consultation so you know exactly what to expect before committing.
Yes. Our attorneys are 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. We have handled commercial cases in both state and federal courts and have federal court experience across multiple states. The appropriate venue depends on the specifics of your case, and we will advise you on the best forum during your evaluation.
A contract dispute is one type of commercial litigation, but the field covers a much broader range of business conflicts. Commercial litigation also includes trade secret theft, patent infringement, antitrust violations, business fraud, and consumer protection claims. These cases often involve multiple parties, complex financial evidence, expert witnesses, and extensive document discovery. An experienced commercial litigation attorney can identify all available legal claims and pursue the strategy most likely to achieve a favorable outcome.
No. We represent businesses and individuals of all sizes. What matters is whether the dispute involves a significant enough claim to warrant the time and resources that commercial litigation requires. During your free consultation, we will evaluate the merits of your case and let you know whether we believe our firm is the right fit. We carefully select commercial cases to ensure we can commit the full resources each matter needs.
Our office is located at 6700 Jefferson Hwy (Building 6) in Baton Rouge, just a short drive across the Mississippi River from Port Allen. We serve clients throughout West Baton Rouge Parish and the entire greater Baton Rouge area. Our partners are accessible by phone, text, and email, and we work with clients to make the process as convenient as possible.
Our commercial litigation practice serves businesses and individuals throughout the greater Baton Rouge region. Port Allen and West Baton Rouge Parish are part of our core service area, and we handle cases across multiple parishes in the region.
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
No matter where your business operates in the greater Baton Rouge area, our team is ready to help you protect your interests and resolve disputes.