About Mitchell & Associates, APLC

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.

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.