OUR  ATTORNEYS

Bradley L. Drell

Bradley L. Drell Director

 (318) 445-6471
 (866) 302-6823 Toll Free
 (318) 445-6476

Bradley L. Drell ("Brad") is a shareholder of the firm and leads the firm's Bankruptcy and Business Reorganization practice.  Brad is a board-certified business bankruptcy specialist and a seasoned commercial litigator with a broad range of experience in a variety of cases and industries.  He also represents lawyers in professional liability, sanctions, contempt, and disciplinary cases.  In addition to his litigation practice, Brad is a trained mediator focusing on commercial, bankruptcy, and multi-party mediations, and is available to mediate cases both locally and nationally.  He also acts as counsel in distressed and non-distressed mergers and acquisitions of businesses of all sizes, and in advising financially distressed governmental subdivisions in resolving fiscal crises.

Brad has unique experience in handling non-routine legal matters in the courtroom and in crafting resolutions to seemingly unsolvable problems to help his clients find closure and get back to business.

Representative Matters
  • Successfully reorganized or liquidated numerous businesses in the health care, construction, real estate, agricultural, hospitality, marine, manufacturing and retail industries.
  • Litigates undue influence and lack of capacity in will and donation cases, and was lead trial and appellate counsel in a seminal reported case on undue influence, Succession of Cook, 189 So.3d 409 (La. App. 2 Cir. 2016); writ den. 192 So.3d 768.
  • Successfully prosecuted multiple involuntary Chapter 11 and 7 bankruptcies, as well as a Chapter 15 cross border insolvency case involving an Australian corporation.
  • Lead counsel for a multi-national European utility company in coordination with English solicitors and German counsel in litigation and eventual settlement of an extremely large commodities contract with an American counterparty in Chapter 11 that was governed by German law.
  • Represented the board of trustees of a local college successfully in litigation surrounding the election of the college president.
  • Represented an aviation business in litigation in the District of Columbia with a large oil and gas business regarding oil rights in the Central African Republic, with the matter being dismissed for lack of personal jurisdiction.
  • Represented the boards of trustees of local churches in the removal of the pastor by congregational election and also in litigation with a pastor via writ of quo warranto and injunction.
  • Represented a powerline contractor from start-up to doing business in seven states in a period of three years, including finance, contracts, and corporate work.
  • Successfully represented construction contractors in Miller Act litigation regarding a federal prison and a local military installation.
  • Successfully represented a cattle business in a lawsuit in federal court in Texas against a feed yard for mishandling of cattle and hedge accounts.
  • Successfully represented a minority shareholder in derivative litigation in federal court in Texas with a supply company for the natural gas industry.
  • Successfully represented a non-profit corporation in seeking federal court approval in a desegregation case for the opening of a charter school.
  • Obtained release of an attorney imprisoned for contempt by emergency writ to the U.S. Court of Appeal within a day of the remand to federal custody, and obtained a reversal of the remand after full briefing.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Recognitions
  • AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated in Martindale-Hubbell
  • Listed in Best Lawyers since 2010
  • Listed in Super Lawyers since 2012
Professional and Civic Activities
  • Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization
    • Board Certified Business Bankruptcy Specialist
    • Bankruptcy Law Advisory Commission Member (2010 - 2016)
    • Vice Chair (Spring 2013), Chair (2013 - 2014)
  • American Board of Certification
    • Board Certified Business Bankruptcy Law
  • American Bankruptcy Institute
    • 40-Hour Mediation Training, St. John’s University School of Law, Hugh L. Carey Center for Dispute Resolution, New York City, December, 2016, emphasis on bankruptcy, commercial and multi-party mediation
  • United States Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Louisiana
    • Chairman, Local Rules Committee (2018)
  • Louisiana State Bar Association
    • Observer to the Louisiana State Law Institute (2003), Young Lawyers
    • Sixth District Board Representative, Young Lawyer's Section Council (2005 - 2006)
    • House of Delegates (2015 - 2017)
    • Member, Sections on Antitrust & Trade Regulation, Bankruptcy Law, Civil Law & Litigation, Corporate & Business Law, Labor & Employment Law
  • Louisiana Bar Foundation
    • Fellow (2011 - present)
    • Editorial Committee (2011 - 2012)
  • Judge, 2018 Elliott Cup Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition sponsored by the Bankruptcy Law Section of the State Bar of Texas
  • Alexandria Bar Association
    • President (2015 - 2016)
    • Executive Council (2012 - present)
  • Crossroads-American Inn of Court of Alexandria-Pineville
    • Master of the Bench
    • Program Chair (2010 - 2011)
    • President (2011 - 2012)
  • Central Louisiana Pro Bono Project, Past Director
  • Kiwanis Club of Central Louisiana
    • Member & Past Director
    • Received Distinguished Past President Award for service
  • Sewanee: The University of the South
    • Board of Trustees (2021 - 2023)
  • The Episcopal Church
    • Past vestry member, St. James Episcopal Church, Alexandria, Louisiana
    • Lay Worship Leader and Lay Eucharistic Minister
    • Judge, Ecclesiastical Court of Review for Province VII (2005 - 2008)
    • Lay Deputy, General Convention, 2006
    • Standing Committee for the Diocese of Western Louisiana (2006 - 2009)
    • Chair of the Committee on Constitution and Canons for the Diocese of Western Louisiana (2011 - 2016)
  • Kairos Prison Ministry International, Inc.
    • Past Chair of the Louisiana Chapter (2006 - 2007)
    • Member of Board of Directors (2008 - 2009)
    • Member, Ad Hoc Committee On Structure (2008 - 2009)
    • Recipient, Building the Kingdom Award, August 1, 2009
News
1/01/24 Firm lawyers named in 2024 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers
  Gold Weems Attorneys, Firm, Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2024
 
1/01/23 Firm lawyers named in 2023 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers
1/01/23 Gold Weems Attorneys, Firm, Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2023
 
8/08/22 ABI Journal Features Article by Drell & Mathews
6/15/22 Drell Quoted in National Media on Multiple SCOTUS Rulings
6/09/22 Drell Featured in American Bankruptcy Institute Webinar on SCOTUS Decision
6/06/22 Gold Weems - U.S. Supreme Court Rules 9-0 in Favor of Petitioner Supported by Firm’s Amicus Brief
1/01/22 Firm lawyers named in 2022 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers
1/01/22 Gold Weems Attorneys, Firm, Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2022
 
3/15/21 Drell and Taylor Successfully Prosecute Intervention In Federal Bid Protest For MedExpress
2/27/21 Drell Elected to Board of Trustees of Sewanee: The University of the South
2/24/21 Gold Weems Obtains Confirmation of Chapter 11 Plan for Trucking Company
1/01/21 Firm lawyers named in 2021 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers
1/01/21 Gold Weems Attorneys, Firm, Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2021
 
1/01/20 Firm lawyers named in 2020 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers
1/01/20 Gold Weems Attorneys, Firm, Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2020
 
7/12/19 Bankruptcy Team Wins TMA Award for Turnaround of the Year
5/15/19 Firm Obtains Significant Reversal of Bankruptcy Court Ruling at the Fifth Circuit
4/11/19 Firm Receives Award for Energy Restructuring of the Year
4/09/19 Firm Files Class Action Lawsuit Against U.S. Government for Unconstitutional Fees Imposed on Chapter 11 Debtors
3/27/19 Bankruptcy and Restructuring Team Presented with M&A Advisor Award in Palm Beach
1/28/19 Firm Successfully Represents Creditors Committee in Significant Houston Chapter 11
1/01/19 Firm lawyers named in 2019 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers
1/01/19 Gold Weems Attorneys, Firm, Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2019
 
12/26/18 Firm Receives Chapter 11 Reorganization of the Year Award
9/24/18 U.S. Bankruptcy Court Appoints Drell as Chairman of Newly-Formed Local Rules Committee
7/18/18 Firm Confirms Chapter 11 Plan for Six Healthcare Companies and Related Real Estate Holding Company
5/3/18 Firm Handles Auction of Hotel and Convention Center in Chapter 11 Proceedings
2/27/18 Bankruptcy Section Obtains Confirmation of Plan of Reorganization for National Health Care Provider
1/01/18 Firm lawyers named in 2018 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers
1/01/18 Gold Weems Attorneys, Firm, Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2018
 
6/23/17 Firm Files Reorganization Cases for Acadiana Management Group and Ten Associated Hospitals
6/01/17 U.S. Fifth Circuit Affirms Judgment For Gold Weems Business Client
2/01/17 Firm Successful On Involuntary Bankruptcy Petition Against Revolution Aluminum Propco
1/01/17 Firm lawyers named in 2017 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers
1/01/17 Gold Weems Attorneys, Firm, Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2017
 
1/01/16 Firm lawyers named in 2016 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers
1/01/16 Gold Weems Attorneys, Firm, Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2016
 
4/15/15 Firm Wins Partnership/Fiduciary Duty Case in U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
1/01/15 Firm lawyers named in 2015 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers
1/01/15 Gold Weems Attorneys, Firm, Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2015
 
1/01/14 Firm lawyers named in 2014 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers
1/08/14 Best Lawyers in America 2014 Recognizes Gold Weems Attorneys, Firm
 
4/18/13 Drell Given Honorary Lecturer Status at Louisiana College
1/01/13 Firm lawyers named in 2013 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers
1/01/13 Gold Weems Attorneys, Firm, Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2013
 
12/27/11 Firm lawyers named in 2012 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers
12/27/11 Gold Weems Attorneys, Firm, Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2012
12/23/11 Firm handles quick sale of distressed real estate in Chapter 11
9/15/11 Firm wins Quo Warranto For Church Board of Trustees Against Pastor
1/01/11 Firm Attorneys Named to the 2011 Best Lawyers in America
 
7/07/10 Drell named to Bankruptcy Law Advisory Commission of the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization
5/10/10 Drell wins cattle case in Amarillo, Texas
3/18/10 Drell and Barnett Obtain Relief for Australian Client in Cross Border Insolvency Case
2/24/10 Firm tapped to represent Monroe Motor Speedway in Chapter 11
 
12/02/09 Firm Attorneys Named to the 2010 Best Lawyers in America
12/01/09 Drell and Barnett confirm liquidating plan in the Chapter 11 case of Iberville Parish Hospital
10/21/09 Drell and Barnett win vacation of Judgment for mispresentations in US District Court, Western District of Louisiana
10/02/09 Firm successfully represents St. Mary's Residential Facility in US District Court and at the Louisiana Legislature
2/09/09 Firm successfully represents hospital facility in involuntary bankruptcy
1/07/2009 Drell and Oxenhandler are Named as Shareholders
 
10/15/08 Attorneys win appellate case regarding grandparental visitation
Publications and Presentations
Crossroads American Inn of Court
  • Suing the Federal Government – FCA/Qui Tam, Federal Tort Claims Act, and the Tucker Act (Presented with Jennifer Fredrick, AUSA, Western District of Louisiana), Crossroads American Inn of Court, 2/23/2020
  • Criminal Law Problems in Civil Litigation and Bankruptcy, Crossroads American Inn of Court, 3/15/11
  • Effective Opening Statements and Closing Arguments, Crossroads American Inn of Court, 10/20/2009
  • Ethics Presentation: Wait, Wait, Don't Discipline Me, Crossroads American Inn of Court, 2/19/08
  • Professionalism Presentation: Listening - An Important Legal Skill, Crossroads American Inn of Court, 2/21/06
  • Judgment Day: A Lawyer's Soul On Trial (Materials Update and Presentation), Crossroads American Inn of Court, 1/28/2003
  • Bankruptcy Law For the General Practitioner, Crossroads American Inn of Court, 10/21/97

 

Louisiana State Bar Association

  • Getting Your Fees Paid in Whatever The Chapter As Debtor’s Counsel (Ethics Presentation), LSBA Annual Bankruptcy Seminar, 12/17/2015
  • So This Is What Bankruptcy Is All About, LSBA Annual Bankruptcy Seminar, 12/7/12
  • Did You Hear About Stern v Marshall? So, Can I Still Remove This Case to Bankruptcy Court and Try It?, LSBA Annual Bankruptcy Seminar, 12/7/12
  • Commercial and Bankruptcy Law Update, Cenla's Last Round-Up CLE Seminar, 12/03/03

 

Alexandria Bar Association

  • That’s How You Know You Messed Up and What To Do About It, Ethics Presentation, Alexandria Bar Association Three for Free Seminar, 9/25/15
  • Pitfalls of Bankruptcy for New Attorneys, Alexandria Bar Association Opening of Court Continuing Legal Education Seminar, 9/10/09

 

LSU Law Center

  • How to Take an Appeal from a Bankruptcy Court’s Order and In Case of Emergency, Break Glass: Writ Practice (Presented with U.S. Circuit Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod and U.S. District Judge Robert Summerhays), 25th Annual Bankruptcy Law Seminar, LSU Cook Conference Center, October 18, 2019
  • Ethics (A Family Affair) – Ethical Issues in Bankruptcy Cases and Proceedings, Including Valuation Issues (Presented with U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell and Katherine Drell Grissel, Esq.), 24th Annual Bankruptcy Law Seminar, LSU Law Center, November 8, 2018
  • Professionalism Redux: Toward A New Paradigm With Practical Suggestions on Oral Communications and Listening, 18th Annual Bankruptcy Seminar, LSU Law Center, 10/11/12
  • Consumer Attorney Fee Issues, National and Local Trends, 20th Annual Bankruptcy Seminar, LSU Law Center, 10/23/14
  • Small Business Bankruptcy - A Road Map, & Individual Chapter 11 - This Stuff Is Hard, 16th Annual Bankruptcy Seminar, LSU Law Center, 10/7/10
  • Professionalism: Toward A New Paradigm With One Practical Suggestion, 15th Annual Bankruptcy Seminar, LSU Law Center, 10/16/09

 

Louisiana College

  • Adjunct Lecturer in Business Law (2006 - 2016)
  • Honorary Member, Delta Mu Delta Honor Society in Business Administration

 

Louisiana Judicial College

  • Ego, Ethics and the Contempt Power (Presented with U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell), Fall Judges Conference, 10/2/16 - 10/4/16

 

Louisiana District Attorneys Association

  • Bankruptcy and Child Support, LSEA Conference, 5/13/16

 

The Center for American and International Law

  • No Money Down Chapter 13 Plans – A Benefit or Detriment to Debtors? (Presented with U.S. Bankruptcy Judge John W. Kolwe, Professor Pamela Foohey, and Dr. Deborah Thorne), Fifth Circuit Bankruptcy Bench Bar Conference, New Orleans, LA, February 6, 2020
     
Past Experience
  • Walker, Passman & Michiels

Clerkships

  • Judge Henley A. Hunter, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Louisiana

Education

  • Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University, J.D., 1996
  • University of the South, B.A., 1993

Bar and Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • Supreme Court of Louisiana
  • United States Court of Appeals
    • Second Circuit
    • Fourth Circuit
    • Fifth Circuit
    • Tenth Circuit
    • Eleventh Circuit
    • Federal Circuit
  • United States Court of Federal Claims
  • United States District Courts
    • Eastern District of Louisiana
    • Middle District of Louisiana
    • Western District of Louisiana
    • Northern District of Texas
    • Eastern District of Texas
    • Southern District of Texas
    • Eastern District of Arkansas
    • Western District of Arkansas