Frances M. Phares is an attorney of counsel to Baum Hedlund Aristei & Goldman, a national trial law firm where she helps clients with personal injury and wrongful death litigation involving major transportation disasters, toxic exposure, and pharmaceutical product liability.
Once Frances took on a position at Baum Hedlund Aristei & Goldman, she quickly proved herself to be a key member of the team. She was instrumental in negotiating the settlement of more than 400 claims brought forth by hemophiliacs over HIV/AIDS infection by contaminated blood products. She also helped the firm eliminate laws that freed tobacco companies from all liability, thereafter, allowing long-time smokers to file injury claims against them. With the firm’s attorney team, she urged the Supreme Court of California to reject the notion that smokers should know smoking is addictive and may cause serious health conditions. Finally, she also represented the families of antidepressant(namely Paxil and Zoloft) suicide victims in their cases against drug manufacturers.
Frances is a certified suicide-prevention counselor and St. Joseph Hospice volunteer. She volunteers every week at a local retirement home, where she works with older adults in skilled, assisted, and independent living communities. As a certified LOSS volunteer, she also provides counseling to families of suicide victims. Still, she manages to find time to volunteer at a local women’s center, where she co-facilitated a grief group and a caregiver’s support group. On top of all this, she has participated in several writing and trial skills seminars.
Education and Previous Work Experience
After Frances earned a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Louisiana State University, she attended Tulane University School of Law. There, she took the opportunity to clerk for the Orleans Parish District Attorney outside her work as an English tutor for Tulane undergraduate students. She moved on to work as an Assistant District Attorney once she graduated, prosecuting armed robbery, theft, rape, child abuse, murder, and other felony cases. She excelled in this area of the law, as evidenced by how she obtained the very first conviction in the history of Louisiana of pharmacists who had illegally sold prescription drugs to individuals struggling with substance abuse.
Next, Frances clerked for the 22nd Judicial District Court in St. Tammany and Washington Parishes, Louisiana. In this position, she gained invaluable experience in civil litigation and honed her research and writing skills. For many years, she also served as a Magistrate Hearing Officer to sort out child support disputes in divorce proceedings.
Helping Tibetan Refugees
Frances traveled to India in 2011 to study global ethics and sociology, partnering with Tibetan refugees in a cultural exchange program. While there, she founded a dental program, Tibetan Smiles, to provide low-cost dental care to Dharamshala’s Tibetan community. To better serve her clients, she obtained a dual master’s degree in counseling and pastoral studies from Loyola University New Orleans.
Awards, Accolades and Memberships
Peers, clients, and professional organizations have recognized Frances’ hard work and dedication over the years. She obtained an AV® Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rating through Martindale-Hubbell®, as well as the Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion Silver from 2019 to 2021. Moreover, she is listed in both The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™ and The Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers™.
Frances is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association, 22nd Judicial District Court Bar Association, Louisiana Counseling Association, American Group Psychotherapy Association, and American Counseling Association. In addition, she is a proud member of Chi Sigma Iota, an international honor society that admits only those who have demonstrated excellence in academic and professional counseling.
When Frances is not working, she facilitates a women’s spirituality group and serves as a lay pastoral assistant. In her spare time, she likes to visit art museums, read historical novels, play the piano, fish, golf, and walk her Welsh Corgi, Windsor.
To speak to Frances in a free consultation, call 855-948-5098 or visit baumhedlundlaw.com.
