Attorneys
Announcing our 2025 Partners
We are proud to announce that Janelle E. Sharer and Stephen R. Klaffky have become members of the firm.
Janelle E. Sharer
As a former New Orleans public school teacher, Janelle understands the importance of efficient and proactive problem-solving and brings these skills to her legal practice. Clients trust Janelle to identify the key narratives and fact patterns of their cases as she tirelessly works to obtain positive results.
Licensed in California and Louisiana, Janelle represents businesses and individuals in commercial litigation, with a particular focus on complex product liability matters and high-stakes insurance litigation, including coverage and bad faith. She has obtained favorable judgments for her clients in federal and state courts in Louisiana and California and successfully defended these judgments on appeal. Janelle has received peer recognition in Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch” for her success in commercial litigation, insurance, employment, product liability, and appellate work.
After 15 years in New Orleans, Janelle returned to her home state of California, where she litigated claims in state and federal court and represented clients in arbitration. In her spare time, Janelle enjoys exploring the California mountains and coastline with her family.
Stephen R. Klaffky
Stephen brings deep analysis and crisp execution to his clients’ most difficult cases. Clients and colleagues rely on his vision, sound judgment, and courtroom skills.
Since joining the firm, Stephen has successfully defended clients through trial and appeal across a variety of subject areas, including securities fraud, corporate raiding, toxic torts, and insurance coverage and bad faith. Before moving to New Orleans, he was a partner at Brown Rudnick, LLP in Hartford, Connecticut, where he litigated business and environmental lawsuits in courts across the country.
Stephen is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and has been recognized by Best Lawyers for securities and insurance litigation. He is an active and enthusiastic mentor to younger lawyers.
Stephen lives in New Orleans with his wife, Maria, and their two daughters. In his spare time, he can often be found with his family on camping trips, bike rides, and adventures throughout the city.
About Barrasso Usdin Kupperman Freeman & Sarver, L.L.C.
Barrasso Usdin Kupperman Freeman & Sarver is a boutique litigation firm headquartered in New Orleans. The Firm has experience litigating complex civil cases throughout the country, including all types of commercial disputes, class actions, environmental cases, product liability and toxic tort cases, intellectual property cases, insurance bad faith and coverage cases, and securities arbitrations, litigation, and regulatory matters.
