Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand & Brackett, LLC (MBLB) has expanded to Houston, Texas. Based in New Orleans, Louisiana, with offices in Lafayette, Louisiana, and Chicago, Illinois, MBLB is a defense firm that has decades of experience handling claims in the insurance, maritime, energy, transportation, and workers’ compensation practice areas.

MBLB was founded with a strong admiralty and maritime law practice and is one of a handful of law firms in the nation known for its experience and expertise in litigating claims arising under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), Defense Base Act (DBA), and War Hazards Compensation Act (WHCA). The firm has added three new attorneys to these practice areas—Craig D. Stocker, Karina Neira Beique and Shelby L. Robletto—who will be located in Houston.

As Managing Member Alan G. Brackett said, “We’ve long considered establishing an office in the Houston area but waited to find the right person to lead that office. We found that person in Craig Stocker, and we’re very excited to have Craig, Karina and Shelby join our team. MBLB has a number of clients doing business in the Port of Houston and this will allow us additional ability to represent their interests.”

Mr. Stocker said, “It’s an honor and a privilege to join MBLB and their impressive roster of attorneys. The strong connection between the Houston and New Orleans markets made this a natural fit for our team, and we look forward to expanding the firm’s footprint in Texas and beyond.”

Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand & Brackett recently merged with Larzelere Picou Wells Simpson Lonero of Metairie, Louisiana. The addition of the three attorneys in Houston brings the defense firm’s total attorney count to more than 80 lawyers.