Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions

Thomas R. "Tommy" Juneau, Sr., known by many throughout the country as the mediator who brings boudin balls to mediations, brings a collaborative, creative, and positive approach to mediations. He has mediated nearly 3,000 disputes in various states (including Louisiana, California, Texas, and New York) in a wide array of cases, ranging from basic, two-party casualty matters to complex, multi-party class action lawsuits.

He served as managing partner of Perry Dampf Dispute Solutions, as well as his prior law firm, Juneau David, APLC. He is recognized as a leader in the field of ADR. He has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® in the field of mediation and is an elected Fellow in the American College of Civil Trial Mediators and the Academy of Court-Appointed Neutrals. He is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been repeatedly recognized by Louisiana Super Lawyers and Acadiana Profile’s Top Lawyers. He is based out of Perry Dampf’s Lafayette mediation office but regularly conducts mediations throughout the state.

"My mediation with Tommy was by far my best mediation experience in over 30 years of practicing law.”

"Tommy has a gift. A true gift. He is hands-down the best mediator I have ever seen."

Perry Dampf is looking forward to sponsoring and exhibiting at the Louisiana State Bar Association's 33rd Annual Admiralty Symposium in New Orleans on Friday, September 18!
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Connect with maritime practitioners, hear timely perspectives on developments affecting admiralty practice and earn valuable CLE credit at this established annual program.

⬇Click on the link in the comments to register!⬇

More Info from LSBA: Attend the 33rd Annual Admiralty Symposium to gain practical insight into emerging issues affecting admiralty and maritime law while connecting with attorneys, speakers and other professionals who work in this specialized field. The setting offers opportunities to ask questions, exchange perspectives and build valuable professional relationships throughout the day.

Richard Hymel has 35 years of legal experience. He represented Transocean in the litigation arising out of the BP Macondo well blowout – he served as trial counsel in the seven-week Coast Guard/MMS hearings and eight-week Multi-District Litigation trial. He also served as trial counsel for Occidental Chemical Company in the three-week trial and seven-week arbitration arising out of the Bayou Corne sinkhole in Assumption Parish.

Additionally, Mr. Hymel served as a court appointed neutral/mediator in the Hurricane Laura and Delta Claims for the 14th Judicial District Court. He holds an AV Preeminent peer review rating on Martindale Hubbell. He is also a member of the Texas State Bar and passed the Certified Public Accountant exam.

He attended mediation training offered by Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law, then ranked as the #1 dispute resolution program in the country by U.S. News & World Report. He also attended IADC WellCap Supervisor Well Control School. He has successfully mediated cases in the areas of admiralty and maritime, well blowouts, trucking and automobile accidents, premises liability, environmental contamination, insurance coverage, contractual indemnity, construction disputes, employment discrimination, sales tax, and workers’ compensation. He has been a member of the Perry Dampf mediation panel since 2004.

Brian Homza has been serving as a mediator since 2003 and, since that time, has mediated approximately 500 cases involving both complex legal issues and coverage issues. His litigation practice spans over forty-five years of experience including, but not limited to: complex multiparty litigation incorporating all aspects of insurance coverage and assessment of damages in personal injury claims, complex property damage, and business loss claims.

He has tried cases in every Louisiana Federal Court and numerous state courts. Brian recently completed the 40 hour Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution training at Pepperdine University. Brian is also a member of several professional organizations, a past speaker before the Louisiana State Bar Association, and a member of the Harry Booth Hank Politz Inns of Court.

He holds an excellent reputation within the industry and legal circles, and he is a requested speaker and instructor for many organizations. He is AV rated in Martindale Hubble and is a 1979 graduate of the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law School.

Happy Labor Day from Perry Dampf!
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To recognize the hard work of our employees, we will be closed today, Monday, September 7!

We hope you all are able to spend the day relaxing with your family and friends. See you on Tuesday!

Judge Guy Holdridge brings 34 years’ experience as a former appellate court judge and judge of the 23rd Judicial District Court. Recognized for fair and impartial decision-making, he now channels his expertise into mediation, offering insightful guidance and facilitating constructive resolutions.

In 2014, he was elected to the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal without opposition. Prior to that, he served as a judge in the 23rd JDC beginning in 1991. As a district court judge he conducted hundreds of civil and criminal jury trials as well as settling hundreds of civil cases. He is a member of the LSU Law Center Hall of Fame.

Judge Holdridge has further served on the adjunct faculty of the LSU Law Center for over twenty-five years and currently teaches Louisiana Civil Procedure. Since 2021, Judge Holdridge has served as the editor of the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure published by Thomson Reuters. He is also the Director of the Louisiana State Law Institute.

Judge Michael "Mike" Hill is a retired U.S. Magistrate Judge who brings 50 years of legal experience to every mediation.

Before ascending to the Bench, Judge Hill tried numerous cases in both State and Federal courts, representing injured plaintiffs, defendants, and their insurers. From the Bench, Judge Hill presided over numerous jury and bench trials; he conducted hundreds of settlement conferences in all kinds of cases including serious personal injury cases, insurance disputes, intellectual property disputes, FLSA, Title VII cases, etc., settling over 95% of these cases.

Judge Hill is traveling to Europe in the fall to cross off a bucket list item by the Normandy Beaches. When not mediating or arbitrating he stays busy with his 2 golden retrievers and his 2 young grandchildren.

Inside ADR with Perry Dampf: World Class Dispute Resolution, Locally - https://mailchi.mp/perrydampf/august2026

William Helm is a partner at Taylor, Wellons, Politz & Duhe. He brings over thirty-five years of legal experience to his mediation clients.

With a general civil practice, Mr. Helm has handled trials and appeals in all state and federal courts in Louisiana and Mississippi. His areas of concentration are Personal and Commercial Automobile Liability, Insurance, Negligence, Contracts, and Collections.

He has mediated over 500 cases, and he is licensed to practice in Louisiana and Mississippi.

“Great job on helping us to get these 2 cases settled. William Helm is a superstar!”

As founder of Helm Law Firm, Mike Helm maintains a solo practice in Covington. Prior to his 16 years with a maritime firm, he worked offshore in wireline operations and thereafter, sold boat landing systems to oil companies for offshore platforms.

Admitted into the Louisiana Bar in 1988 and Texas in 1994, Helm has represented claimants and defendants in litigation in Louisiana and Texas over the past 38 years. He has experience in resolving disputes embraced within insurance, personal injury, wrongful death, Jones Act, longshore, medical malpractice, property damage, energy, transportation, and contractual actions.

Through his affiliation with Perry Dampf and AAA, he has mediated over 650 claims. His direct approach in mediating and willingness to stay involved post mediation has resulted in a 90% success rate. Helm received his undergraduate degree from Georgia Tech and JD in 1988 from Loyola University and is a trained mediator, having completed the Learn From The Masters Mediation Training Seminar with Sid Stahl, Dallas, Texas.

“Just a quick note of appreciation for the fine work you rendered as a mediator. Due to your legal skills and perseverance this matter has come to a conclusion.”