Jones Walker LLP Adds New Partner to Litigation Team
New Orleans businesses now have expanded access to counsel for trade secret and commercial dispute litigation.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in People
Attorney Matthew Slaughter has joined the New Orleans-based law firm Jones Walker LLP as a partner. He will focus his practice on commercial disputes within the firm's Litigation Practice Group.
Why it matters
Operators facing high-stakes commercial litigation in the Gulf region now have a new counsel option for matters involving trade secrets, restrictive covenants, and shareholder disputes. This addition strengthens the firm's capacity to navigate complex business competition and fiduciary duty cases.
Jones Walker LLP has added one partner to its Litigation Practice Group, joining an established team of commercial dispute attorneys. The firm maintains its headquarters in New Orleans.
The players
Matthew Slaughter
A newly appointed partner at Jones Walker LLP specializing in trade secret, trademark, and commercial litigation.
Jones Walker LLP
A prominent New Orleans-based law firm that provides full-service legal representation to regional and national corporate clients.
The details
Slaughter joins the firm to bolster its commercial disputes practice, which serves businesses navigating litigation over trade secret misappropriation and restrictive covenants. He also manages trademark infringement, unfair competition, and breach of fiduciary duty cases. This recruitment allows the firm to scale its legal support for companies involved in shareholder disputes or internal management conflicts.
Timeline
October 22, 2026: Announcement of Matthew Slaughter joining Jones Walker LLP
Market Landscape
The firm's expansion in trade secret litigation reflects the ongoing business demand for enforcement mechanisms created by the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016. This move follows a broader industry trend of law firms reinforcing their commercial disputes teams to handle complex intellectual property challenges.
Business owners in the New Orleans area should evaluate their existing non-compete and trade secret agreements to ensure they align with current enforcement trends. Consult with your legal counsel regarding potential exposure in shareholder and fiduciary duty disputes.
The takeaway
Commercial litigation remains a volatile area for operators, especially regarding the protection of proprietary trade secrets. Monitor your active restrictive covenants and consult your legal team to ensure your current protections against unfair competition are enforceable.
Further reading
For more developments on local leadership and professional moves, visit the New Orleans People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by New Orleans CityBusiness.
