About Mitchell & Associates, APLC

CRAIG MITCHELL

You’re smart to be taking the time to read lawyer bios like this one. Why? Because you probably are experiencing one of the most difficult times of your life. You have a lot at stake.

You need to find someone you can trust to make sense of all of the workers’ compensation paperwork, legal jargon and people pulling you in different directions. You may not know who to believe, who to trust, which way to turn.

You’re not alone. Many people have gone through what you’re going through. The ones who did what you’re doing right now – doing your research, understanding your options and not falling for the slick ads and fast talk – probably made it through just fine (even if they lost some sleep along the way).

You’ve taken the most important step toward getting some peace of mind. You’ve found a group of lawyers who can and will help.

My name is Craig Mitchell. I’m an attorney. I’m also a husband, father, neighbor and friend. I’ve seen much and helped many. And I thank you for taking time to find out how I can help you.

You’re going through something that is complicated, confusing and has consequences that can impact the rest of your life. Between me and my wife, Attorney Kiana Mitchell, we have four decades of legal experience.

Call us. We’ll talk about how to get the benefits, compensation and results you deserve so you can move forward with your life.

How I Got Here

Before I started Mitchell & Associates, I worked at a prestigious law firm in downtown New Orleans. I represented big corporate and insurance industry clients.

My job was to defend them at all costs, even when I thought they were wrong. I did my job, and I did it well. But I didn’t like it. In 1999, I walked out of the firm with one file, a case where my client was seriously hurt in a car accident. I was determined to practice law the way I wanted to, making a real difference for clients who need help.

I was able to sit down behind my desk and take as much time as I needed to learn a person’s case inside and out. I found the details other attorneys might miss. I made sure I did all I could to get my clients what they were entitled to under the law.

Kiana Aaron Mitchell

I started my legal career as a law clerk to a judge in Civil District Court in New Orleans. Working closely with the judge, I quickly learned which arguments make a difference when a lawyer presents a client’s case.

I went on to work for a large law firm that defended insurance companies and doctors in medical malpractice cases. Doing this taught me the ins and outs of the medical aspect of cases. But even though the work was challenging and the experience great, it wasn’t fulfilling. I needed to be independent so I could call the shots for my clients.

At Mitchell & Associates, I spent years putting together a client list of employers and insurers and handled their workers’ compensation cases. My clients included public agencies, Fortune 50 companies, large insurers and self-insured organizations.

Going to court day after day, I saw good people who were hurt on the job who didn’t know what to do. I saw them trying to understand the forms and deadlines and all of the requirements they had to meet so they could get workers’ comp benefits. And I saw them fighting against lawyers who did everything they could to outsmart them and have the courts deny legitimate cases.

I saw so many honest people out there who were struggling to navigate the complex workers’ comp system. It has become a complicated maze. But employers get chauffeured through it by their attorneys.

I knew this was wrong, and I like challenges. So I started representing injured workers and set out to expand our firm with several attorneys and support staff solely there to assist the injured worker. I’ve now personally handled hundreds of cases involving nearly every workers’ comp issue that can come up. I make it a point to take the time to understand your situation and fight for the results you want and are entitled to.

A lot of different challenges can come up in your workers’ comp claim. You may have a dispute over your medical condition. Your checks might not be coming on time or in the right amount.

Maybe you’re hurt worse than your employer thinks you are. Maybe you cannot find a doctor who accepts injured workers as patients and/or workers’ comp insurance rates.

It’s a good idea to have a workers’ comp attorney handle your claim. The fact is, your employer will have a lawyer and claims adjuster on their side. They will try to limit the benefits you receive. You deserve to have a lawyer and a strong firm of your own to chauffeur you through this system. You deserve representation by Mitchell & Associates.

Erica Cortizas — Associate Attorney

In my own family, I’ve witnessed the devastating impact injuries can have on people’s lives. I had a family member who was hurt in an accident that left him unable to work. From then on, I was inspired to help other people facing similar hard times.

I dedicated 17 years to helping people win Social Security Disability benefits when they can’t work due to injuries and illnesses. Now at Mitchell & Associates, I’m proud to help people who’ve been hurt at work get the workers’ compensation benefits they deserve.

My background in disability law gives me extensive experience reviewing complicated medical files, helping people with serious health problems get through overwhelming legal processes and providing caring representation for people who are hurting and struggling—exactly what people with workers’ comp claims need.

I’ve helped more than 2,000 people at hearings with administrative law judges to decide their disability benefits.

Whether your injury means you’ll be out of work temporarily or permanently, it’s a major disruption to your life. I see part of my mission as helping restore hope.

Sometimes people think they can’t get back to work because it would have to be a different job. I get great satisfaction from helping them find vocational services and training to make the transition to a new chapter possible.

Mitchell & Associates has a reputation for fighting for clients in Louisiana and Mississippi and getting them the benefits they deserve, making this the firm I wanted to join.

Michael Rodriguez — Associate Attorney

You’ve been hurt at work. You’re dealing with a lot. At times like this, you need someone to fight for you and your benefits.

One of the main reasons I became a lawyer was to take time getting to know my clients, their needs and their cases. As soon as I passed the bar, I went straight to handling cases, going up against other, more experienced lawyers and successfully appearing in court.

How? Because I’ll do what’s necessary to protect my clients’ rights.

After completing law school, I was looking for a firm where I would strengthen the skills I learned in school and foster my growth as an attorney. I started at Mitchell & Associates in 2009 and have focused my practice solely on workers’ compensation.

I initially represented employers and insurers in workers’ compensation claims, but I quickly realized that I would be more satisfied helping injured workers navigate the workers’ compensation system and obtain the benefits they are rightfully entitled to.

My grandparents came to this country from Cuba in the 1960s to escape political oppression and to give future generations of my family a better life. I specifically attribute my passion for practicing law to my grandmother, who was one of the first female judges in Cuba.

I’m always reminded of the struggles she went through and the sacrifices she made leaving Cuba to make sure I would have the opportunities I have now. I’ve taken this passion and harnessed it into helping injured workers getting all benefits they are entitled to under the law.

Thao Phuong Tran — Associate Attorney

As I work to get people their workers’ compensation benefits, I make a point of helping clients understand the process and keeping them constantly updated on developments in their claims.

You’re already hurt. You can’t work. Now you’re up against a large, complicated legal system. You deserve an attorney who’s friendly, informative and passionate about helping people.

My desire to advocate for others stems from being a child of Vietnamese refugees.

When my parents came to the United States in 1975, they came without any personal possessions other than the clothes they wore. They did not know anyone or speak English. With the kindness, generosity and advocacy of the Baptist church, my parents were able to learn a new language, find work, find housing and integrate seamlessly into American society.

Becoming an attorney was my way of paying it forward. This career allows me to advocate for others who may not fully understand the processes to protect their rights. With Mitchell & Associates, I’m able to help our injured clients receive the medical treatment they need along with any other benefits they’re entitled to receive.

As an attorney, I’d much rather work for individual people who need help than for big insurance companies or other large corporations.

In addition to workers’ comp law, I spent more than three years helping people with their personal injury cases after serious accidents. I’ve also got experience helping people win Social Security Disability benefits when health problems push them out of work for the long term.

I’ve got deep experience reviewing medical records, gathering other evidence, researching the laws that apply to a specific case, building arguments and drafting documents for the court.

At Loyola University New Orleans, I studied both philosophy and biology. As such, there were two clear career paths for me upon graduation—a career in medicine and a career in law.

I ultimately chose law because the analytical skills I learned from studying the writings of Socrates, Plato, Descartes, Anselm, Whitehead, De Beauvoir and other philosophers were easily transferrable—and included many teachings on the importance of helping others.

The motivating factor for me has always been advocating for and assisting people in need in my community. Big companies will always have resources and lawyers. When you’re hurt, it’s only fair to have someone fighting for you, too.

Joseph Morton III — Of Counsel

One thing you should know about Mitchell & Associates if you’ve been hurt at work and need workers’ compensation benefits is that you’ll get the personal attention of a small law firm that helps individual people combined with the strength of a large law firm that works with big clients.

My legal practice focuses on complex litigation, which includes planning cases, carrying out the legal strategies and representing clients in several different courts and dispute resolution forums. Over my 30-year career, I’ve handled many kinds of cases, including but not limited to mass tort, class action, insurance defense, medical malpractice, product liability and professional/director liability.

You won’t see me for your workers’ comp case, but the work I do here, along with other attorneys at the firm, should tell you you’re getting a high caliber firm.

Just like all the attorneys here, I approach every case with the understanding that behind each claim is a person seeking a true and honest presentation of his or her story.

In my work at Mitchell & Associates, I also value the opportunity to work with local government. Government impacts the daily lives of everyone. I began my legal career in government service, and I’m excited to be involved again.

There’s no place like New Orleans. The legal issues here can be very challenging. And they often relate to the historical nature of the city. That requires me to come up with creative resolutions to disputes, a challenge I embrace.

No matter the specific legal scenario, all everyone seeks is fair representation under the law. I’m honored to serve the clients who retain me, as it’s truly a noble calling.