Over Five Decades of Law Practice
The law firm of Waitz & Downer was founded in 1971 by the late Joseph L. Waitz to provide legal practice to the Gulf Coast region through a specialization in helping injured persons and devastated families who have suffered a catastrophic loss in an oil field accident, maritime accident, auto or boating accident that resulted in serious personal injury or wrongful death. The firm also counsels clients on Social Security and disability claims, as well as wills and successions.
With a legal team who hails from the Gulf Coast Region and knows well the workings of the region’s unique industries, Waitz & Downer is committed to treating clients like family by maintaining a family-like atmosphere within the walls of the firm. They have stood by South Louisiana residents through some of the region’s most challenging times, whether oil spills or catastrophic hurricanes.
At present, the team behind Waitz & Downer comprises the expertise of former Louisiana Speaker of the House Hunt Downer and Mr. Waitz’s children: Terrebonne Parish District Attorney Joe Waitz Jr, who is of counsel, and daughter Mary Waitz Riviere. The firm’s talent is rounded out by Mr. Waitz’s grandson Joseph Waitz III, assistant district attorney Ellen Daigle Doskey, and attorney Gary Williams Jr.
Meet Our Attorneys
Ellen Daigle Doskey has over 25 years of experience in the practice of law in Louisiana. Her private practice specializes in wills, successions, trusts, estate planning, and elder law. She also has expertise in researching and writing of briefs, memos, and appeals.
With over 50 years of experience practicing law and over a decade serving in the Louisiana House of Representatives, Hunt Downer is a trial and litigation attorney who specializes in plaintiff work and representing individuals in the oil, gas, and seafood industries.
Mary Waitz Riviere possesses a 30-year career in a variety of complex serious personal injury cases. She has a special love for maritime and offshore cases, is an outspoken defender and advocate of victims’ rights, and specializes in helping people obtain disability benefits.
A proud native of the Bayou Region and graduate of Nicholls State University, Joseph L. Waitz has served as the District Attorney of Terrebonne Parish since 1997. He is passionate about children’s advocacy and cases involving impaired driving and has established multiple probation programs for select offenders. He is of counsel with Waitz & Downer.
Since joining the firm in 2014, Joseph Waitz III has represented numerous injured clients, and has achieved millions in judgments or settlements. Joseph believes in stern and aggressive representation of his clients in order to ensure that the maximum amount of money is recovered.
Gary Williams Jr. has practiced law in the state of Louisiana since 2015, boasting six years as an Assistant District Attorney. He has experience with personal injury cases, wills, successions, contracts, and business litigations and currently stands as incoming president of the Terrebonne Parish Bar Association.
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The Law Firm of Waitz & Downer
The law firm of Waitz & Downer was founded in 1971 by the late Joseph L. Waitz to provide legal practice to the Gulf Coast region through a specialization in helping injured persons and devastated families who have suffered a catastrophic loss in an oil field accident, maritime accident, auto or boating accident that resulted in serious personal injury or wrongful death. The firm also counsels clients on Social Security and disability claims, as well as wills and successions.
Learn more about our law firm.