Areas of work by our firm include: BANKRUPTCY LAW/COLLECTIONS, BUSINESS/COMMERCIAL LAW, BUSINESS LITIGATION, BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS, COMMERCIAL LITIGATION, CONSTRUCTION LAW, CONTRACT LAW/LITIGATION, CORPORATIONS, LLC, PARTNERSHIPS, DIVORCE/FAMILY LAW, ELDERLY LAW, EMPLOYMENT LAW, IMMIGRATION/NATURALIZATION LAW, LEASES, PERSONAL INJURY LAW, PIPELINE EASEMENTS, REAL ESTATE LAW, RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE, WILLS/SUCCESSIONS, WILLS/TRUSTS

BANKRUPTCY LAW/COLLECTIONS
It is important for a lawyer to know the bankruptcy laws when representing either a debtor or a creditor – and John Settle regularly assists individuals in collecting money owed to them.  He also helps individuals that need relief from paying debts. Collection actions by an attorney can include foreclosures and wage garnishments.  A bankruptcy will temporarily stop these efforts by a creditor, or in some instances completely relieve the debtor of the obligation to pay the debt.

BUSINESS/COMMERCIAL LAW
As a lawyer, John Settle can help clients select the proper legal entity(ies) to operate a business, advise on contracts and share his own experiences as self-employed businessman in the planning process.  John Settle believes a lawyer should identify all the options available to the clients, the pros and cons of each, and then implement their business decisions.

BUSINESS LITIGATION
Sometimes, a business “deal” goes bad, for whatever reason, and litigation is required to resolve the dispute..  John Settle has litigated for over 30 years in Northwest Louisiana courts and he has the experience and expertise to aggressively and effectively represent business litigants.

BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS
The purchase or sell of a business requires significant knowledge of legal entities, tax consequences, real estate leases and other matters.  John Settle can review, prepare and/or close business sales/purchases.

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION
Business transactions sometimes “sour”, and litigation arising out of a business relationship is necessary to resolve controversies, disputes and/or questions as to the rights and responsibilities of various parties in the transactions. An experienced working knowledge of the court system, the practicalities of litigation versus settlement, and the realities of businesses are valuable assets that John Settle provides his clients in matters involving commercial litigation.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
When buying or selling commercial property, many issues must be considered in addition to the status of title. Zoning, development plans, licenses and the legal entities involved are important aspects of a commercial real estate transactions. John Settle’s business and real estate experience provides valuable insights to clients in these type of transactions.

CONSTRUCTION LAW
An attorney is frequently needed to resolve disputes concerning payments or non-payments, completion or non-completion of construction and/or quality of construction. Additionally, a lawyer can be very helpful when defects are discovered in a home after the purchase if the seller refuses to adequately compensate the purchaser.

Louisiana’s Private Works Act and Public Works Act provide many safeguards for the contractor, subcontractor, laborers and materialmen as well as the property owner/developer. A good working knowledge of these laws, including the lien rights of all parties, is essential to the satisfactory representation of any of the parties involved in construction contracts. John Settle has built his own office building and has represented many building owners/developer as well as contractors, subcontractors, laborers and suppliers.

CONTRACT LAW/LITIGATION
Contracts take many forms – both oral and written, and its best to have a knowledgeable attorney review and/or draft important contracts. And when expectations are not met, an experienced trial lawyer is needed to litigate a contractual dispute.  John Settle can help both draft and enforce contracts.

CORPORATIONS, LLC, PARTNERSHIPS
In selecting the best entity to conduct business  – a corporation, limited liability company (LLC), or a partnership – many factors should be considered.  Having had an active business practice for 30 years, and owning a corporation and a LLC, John Settle can discuss the pros and cons of each business legal entity and make suggestions for a client to decide on the best legal entity – and thereafter prepare the necessary documents for the client.

CRIMINAL LAW
Individuals arrested and charged with violations of criminal laws- including DWI/DUI and serious traffic offenses – should seek the advice and counsel of a knowledgeable attorney before making their first court appearance. John Settle knows that to be effective a lawyer must not only know the law, but also the judges and the district attorneys/city prosecutors.

DIVORCE/FAMILY LAW
Questions on adoptions, child custody/support, and divorce are different in every state and are frequently misunderstood.  John Settle realizes that his job as a lawyer is to not only help a client with various legal issues, but also to try to effectuate legal solutions that are best for all concerned, and especially any minor children involved.

ELDERLY LAW

Both the elderly and the adult children of the elderly need an attorney when planning for the care, financial and physical needs of senior citizens. As a lawyer, John Settle provides advice on powers of attorney, interdiction (guardianship) and asset ownership/management.  John Settle can also provide advice on Medicaid eligibility; He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

EMPLOYMENT LAW
An lawyer’s advice is very important in the area of employment relations – unfortunately many common beliefs/understandings about the rights/responsibilities of employees and employers are incorrect. John Settle regularly serves as attorney for both employees and employers – and he can provide effective representation in this area.

IMMIGRATION/NATURALIZATION LAW
Although forms for extensions of visas, green card applications and/or U.S. citizenship(naturalization) can be downloaded from the internet, it is very difficult to properly complete these and to be successful without the assistance of an attorney. John Settle is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and represents clients in Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas in all types of immigration matters.

LEASES
Leases, both commercial and residential, are important contracts that set forth the rights and responsibilities of both the landlord and the tenant. Having been a commercial tenant for over twenty years in five different buildings and being a residential rental property landlord, John Settle has gained invaluable first hand experience from both perspectives. Additionally, he has substantial experience including litigation, both on behalf of the landlord/property owner and the tenant.

PERSONAL INJURY LAW
Individuals injured in automobile accidents rarely obtain the full compensation Louisiana law provides unless assisted by an attorney. Accident victims should not only have their vehicle repaired, but also have medical/prescription bills paid, lost wages compensated and be compensated for the pain and suffering incurred as a result of their injuries.

PIPELINE EASEMENTS
Pipeline Easements provide both opportunities and challenges for property owners - - and with the proliferation of natural gas production in NorthWest Louisiana, more and more pipelines are being constructed. Thus the rights and responsibilities both of the property owner and the company that obtains an easement have become more important. John Settle can review proposed easements, help with negotiations, and provide assistance in the instances of litigation.

REAL ESTATE LAW
John Settle owns a real estate title company; see ArkLaTex Title Company, for information on real estate closings. As an attorney he represents clients in matters concerning property disputes, easements, boundaries and litigation concerning real estate.

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE
Buying and selling a personal residence is one of the biggest events of most people’s lives. A good working relationship with realtors, mortgage companies and all the other persons involved in closing the “home purchase” is important, and John Settle has had just that for over thirty years. For three years he was the HUD closing agent with an average of almost a hundred closings per month.

WILLS/SUCCESSIONS
Louisiana laws on the transfer of one’s property at death without a Will are very different from most states. The advice of a Louisiana lawyer is important to understand why, more than any other state, a Will is needed in Louisiana. A succession is the legal proceedings (with or without a Will) that legally transfers the property of a decedent to his beneficiaries.

WILLS/TRUSTS
Louisiana laws on the transfer of one’s property at death without a Will are very different from most states.  The advice of a Louisiana lawyer is important to understand why, more than any other state, a Will is needed in Louisiana.  A Trust can be created either in a Will or separately and John Settle can advise on all issues concerning Louisiana laws of forced heirship.