Business Details
Trusted Legal Representation in New Orleans
Stephenson, Chvarri & Dawson is a multilingual law firm with decades of combined experience serving clients in the U.S. and internationally. Our team of AV peer-review rated attorneys provides solution-oriented representation in family law, immigration, criminal defense, personal injury, estate planning, and international insurance matters. Certified by the Women's Business Enterprise Council, we combine the resources of a large firm with personalized attention, offering court-certified translation services in Spanish, French, and Portuguese.With deep roots in Louisiana, we maintain strong relationships with generations of families and businesses, consistently earning client referrals and industry recognition for excellence. Our attorneys, including U.S. court-certified translator Catherine I. Chvarri, leverage specialized expertise in both domestic and international legal frameworks to deliver trusted counsel across diverse practice areas.
Services
Family Law
Immigration Law
Criminal Defense
Estate Planning
Personal Injury
International Insurance Law
Highlights and features
- 50+ years combined legal experience across diverse practice areas
- Court-certified translation services in Spanish, French, and Portuguese
- AV-rated attorneys recognized for legal excellence and ethics
- Specialized expertise in international legal matters and consular relations
- Proven track record with complex family law and immigration cases
Associations and certifications
- AV Peer Review Rated
- Women's Business Enterprise Council
- Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
What people say
Super responsive
Reasonable fees
Pleased with services
Strong relationships
Trustworthy legal advice
Services
Family Law
Our family law practice handles contested divorces, child custody disputes, international adoptions, and spousal support matters. With specialized knowledge of cross-border family law issues, we provide culturally sensitive representation for clients from diverse backgrounds. Our attorneys help clients choose appropriate dispute resolution methods while protecting their parental rights and financial interests.
Immigration Law
We offer comprehensive immigration services including employment visas, family petitions, deportation defense, and citizenship applications. Our court-certified translator and multilingual team handle complex immigration cases with special expertise in Latin American consular processing. We represent businesses and individuals in both routine and high-stakes immigration matters across multiple visa categories.
Criminal Defense
Our criminal defense team represents clients facing DUI charges, drug offenses, and white-collar crimes in state and federal courts. With specialized knowledge of immigration consequences for criminal convictions, we defend non-citizens against deportation risks while protecting constitutional rights. Our experienced trial attorneys handle cases ranging from misdemeanors to federal felony prosecutions.
Estate Planning
We create customized estate plans including wills, trusts, and powers of attorney to protect clients' assets and ensure their wishes are honored. Our attorneys guide families through succession proceedings while minimizing tax burdens. We specialize in complex estate administration and probate litigation for both local and out-of-state beneficiaries.
Personal Injury
Our personal injury attorneys represent clients in car accident, maritime injury, and workplace accident cases. We handle complex claims under the Jones Act and FELA while pursuing compensation for medical expenses and lost wages. With multilingual capabilities, we serve international clients injured in Louisiana through contingency fee arrangements.
People
Maria I. O'Byrne Stephenson
Attorney
Experienced legal advocate with specialization in Louisiana family law and international adoption proceedings. Provides culturally informed representation to diverse clients while maintaining strong community ties.
Catherine I. Chvarri
Attorney
U.S. court-certified translator with expertise in immigration law and consular relations. Handles complex international cases with fluency in Spanish and French, serving clients across multiple jurisdictions.
Sean R. Dawson
Attorney
Skilled litigator focusing on criminal defense and personal injury cases. Protects clients' rights in state and federal courts while navigating immigration implications of criminal charges.
Candice Sirmon
Attorney
Dedicated legal professional handling estate planning, business law, and insurance defense matters. Provides strategic counsel to local businesses and families with attention to detail.
Questions
Do you handle international legal matters?
Yes, we specialize in cross-border family law, international adoptions, and consular relations with particular expertise in Latin American and European cases.
Are your attorneys multilingual?
Yes, we have attorneys fluent in Spanish, French, and English, with court-certified translation services available for Portuguese and other languages.
What immigration services do you offer?
We handle all aspects of immigration law including visas, family petitions, deportation defense, citizenship applications, and business immigration with global reach.
Can you represent me in complex criminal cases?
Our experienced criminal defense team handles DUI, drug charges, white-collar crimes, and federal cases with special attention to immigration consequences.
Do you offer estate planning services?
Yes, we create customized estate plans with wills, trusts, and succession strategies tailored to Louisiana law and individual client needs.
How do you handle personal injury cases?
We represent injury victims in maritime, auto accident, and workplace injury cases on contingency fees while pursuing maximum compensation through litigation when needed.
