Richard is a partner in the business group in the Baton Rouge office. He practices in the areas of tax, public utilities and electric power, corporate and securities, and general business matters. Richard represents clients in mergers and acquisitions of financial institutions, electric utilities and cooperatives, representing both acquirers and acquireds, and in complex litigation on behalf of both creditors and debtors in federal bankruptcy courts, including utility bankruptcy matters.
 
In addition to serving as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, Richard is a certified public accountant and was a tax accountant with the international accounting firm of Ernst & Ernst, a predecessor of Ernst & Young. Richard has been awarded the "AV" rating by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, which is the highest possible rating for legal ability and ethical standards.

• Louisiana State University, J.D., 1979
• Louisiana Tech University, B.S., magna cum laude, 1968

• Board Certified Tax Law Specialist certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization
• Member: Louisiana State Bar Association (former Chair of the Tax Section); Baton Rouge Bar Association; American Bar Association; American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (former member of the Public Utility Committee); Louisiana Society of Certified Public Accounts; Tax Advisory Committee, Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization (2006)

• Acted as tax counsel or securities counsel in a number of private placements of investment interests in real estate, oil and gas exploration, and research and development projects.
• Obtained rulings from the Internal Revenue Service.
• Represented corporate and individual clients at the IRS Appellate Division level, in docketed tax court cases, and in federal tax litigation before United States district courts.
• Advised individual clients in estate and gift tax planning, particularly with regard to interests in closely held business entities.
• Provided federal and state income tax advice in connection with mergers and acquisitions of public companies.
• Advised individual and corporate clients on the federal and state income tax consequences of capital investments and financing.
• Advised corporate clients as to federal requirements for tax exempt financing.
• Advised corporate clients and other attorneys on the federal tax consequences of reorganizations in bankruptcy.
• Advised accounting firms on the preparation of federal and state tax returns for corporations, partnerships and substantial individuals.
• Reviewed proposed litigation settlements as to state and federal tax consequences.
• Representation of foreign investors in the restructuring of U.S. real property investments under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA).
• Advised individuals and corporations (including major independents and multi-nationals) on the federal and state consequences of restructuring investments in oil and gas properties.
• Advised Louisiana non-residents on estate planning consequences of investments in Louisiana situs property.
• Advised NYSE companies on the Louisiana income and franchise tax consequences of acquisitions.
• Advised a group of international investors on the U.S. tax consequences of "unwinding" of Netherlands Antilles "sandwich" corporations.
• Advised other counsel on the tax consequences of securities litigation.