Meet the SELA Mediation Panelists

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Erik L. Burns, Esq.

Certified Family Law Mediator | Collaborative Divorce Specialist

A lifelong Baton Rouge resident, Erik L. Burns brings over 30 years of experience in Louisiana family law, mediation, and dispute resolution. Known for his balanced approach and deep empathy for families in transition, Erik helps clients reach fair, practical outcomes while minimizing the emotional and financial toll of litigation.

    • Admitted to Practice: All Louisiana State Courts and the U.S. District Courts for the Middle, Eastern, and Western Districts of Louisiana

    • Juris Doctor, Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert Law Center (1993)

    • B.A. in Business Management, minor in Marketing – Southeastern Louisiana University

    After starting his legal career as a solo practitioner in downtown Baton Rouge, Erik expanded his practice to Denham Springs, focusing on family law and complex domestic matters. In 2000, he founded Erik L. Burns, A Professional Law Corporation, where he continues to serve clients throughout the 19th and 21st Judicial Districts, including East Baton Rouge, Livingston, Tangipahoa, and St. Helena Parishes.

  • Erik has dedicated his career to helping families navigate some of life’s most difficult challenges with compassion and professionalism.

    Specializations include:

    • Divorce and Collaborative Law

    • Child Custody and Support

    • Community Property and Asset Division

    • High-Conflict Family Mediation

    • Spousal Support and Modifications

    Certified as a Family Law Mediator since 2007, Erik also holds specialized training in:

    • Collaborative Divorce – promoting cooperative, out-of-court resolution

    • Couples Communication Techniques – improving dialogue and understanding

    • Neutral Attorney Role – serving in pilot programs for high-conflict family cases

    Erik’s training and personal experience give him a unique ability to understand the emotional dynamics in family disputes and guide clients toward resolution centered on the best interests of children.

    • Prosecutor, Town of Walker (1999–2008)

    • Magistrate Judge, Mayor’s Court of Walker (2008–2012)

    • Past President, Vice-President, and Secretary/Treasurer – 21st Judicial District Bar Association

    • Louisiana State Bar Association House of Delegates (2005–2025)

    • Legislative Committee Member (2010–2013)

    • District 5A Regional Panel Appointee (2014–2015)

    • Candidate Review Panel, 21st JDC Public Defenders Board (2019)

    • Mentor, LSBA Transition into Practice Program (since 2020)

    • Board of Directors, Southeastern Louisiana Legal Services (appointed 2025)

    • Active Member: 21st JDC Bar Association, Baton Rouge Bar Association (Family Law Section), and Florida Parishes Inns of Court

  • When he’s not advocating for clients or mediating disputes, Erik enjoys spending time with his wife, Jena, his two sons, and his stepdaughter. He loves fishing, tennis, reading, and weekends at his camp surrounded by family and friends. A lifelong traveler and outdoor enthusiast, Erik values balance and connection—qualities he brings to every mediation he conducts.

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Timothy F. Daniels, Esq.

Trial Attorney | Certified Mediator | Partner, SELA Dispute Resolution

    • Juris Doctor – Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert Law Center

    • B.A. in Political Science (Cum Laude) – Louisiana State University

    • Native of Hammond, Louisiana

    Tim is a Partner at Irwin Fritchie Urquhart & Moore, LLC, with offices in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, where he has successfully tried numerous multi-million-dollar cases to verdict. His litigation experience spans a broad spectrum of industries and legal disciplines.

    • Railroad Litigation

    • Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Litigation

    • Products Liability Litigation

    • Casualty & Insurance Litigation

    • Asbestos Litigation

    • Personal Injury Litigation

    Tim’s diverse case experience gives him a balanced, 360° perspective on liability, damages, and risk assessment—a critical asset in mediation where understanding both sides drives resolution.

    • AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

    • Recognized by Best Lawyers in America

    • Listed in Super Lawyers

    • Distinguished Alumni, LSU Law Center 2019

    • Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers

    • Member, Torts and Insurance Committee, Louisiana State Law Institute

    • Past President, New Orleans Bar Association

    • Past President, National Association of the Railroad Trial Counsel

    • Past Chair, Louisiana State Committee of the American College of Trial Lawyers

    • Dean’s Council Member, LSU Law Center

    • Adjunct Instructor, LSU Law Apprenticeship Program – Jury Selection & Persuasion

    • Adjunct Instructor, LSU Law Center - Legal Professions

  • Drawing on decades of courtroom experience, Tim approaches mediation with a pragmatic, solutions-driven mindset. He values preparation, fairness, and clarity—helping parties identify risk, bridge gaps, and reach resolution efficiently. His extensive trial background makes him particularly adept at evaluating exposure and settlement value in complex and high-value cases.

    Tim is a native of Hammond, Louisiana.

Timothy F. Daniels is a partner at Irwin Fritchie Urquhart Moore & Daniels, LLC with more than 40 years of trial experience trying multi-million dollar cases to verdict. Tim has handled a wide variety of cases including railroad litigation cases, pharmaceutical and products liability cases, personal injury cases, casualty and insurance cases, premises liability cases, and more.  

Tim brings unmatched legal insight and a reputation for fairness to the SELA Dispute Resolution panel. His extensive background in complex civil litigation gives him a unique ability to understand the risks, motivations, and pressures facing both plaintiffs and defendants—making him an exceptionally effective mediator in high-stakes disputes.

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Kirk A. Guidry, Sr., Esq.

Senior Trial Attorney | Certified Mediator

With more than 100 mediations under his belt both as advocate and neutral, Kirk’s approach is pragmatic, interest-based, and results-oriented. He emphasizes creative resolution strategies tailored to the parties’ real interests, not just legal positions—all while drawing on his deep courtroom experience to anticipate exposure and drive meaningful settlement.

    • Licensed to practice in Louisiana since 1991; admitted in all Louisiana federal courts, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

    • J.D., Southern University Law Center, summa cum laude (1991), finished first in his class; received American Jurisprudence Awards in five subjects and served on Moot Court Board.

    • B.S., Louisiana State University (1983)

  • Kirk’s practice covers a wide range of high-exposure disputes including but not limited to:

    • Personal Injury & Wrongful Death

    • Products Liability & Defective Pharmaceuticals

    • Admiralty / Maritime / Jones Act Claims

    • Casualty & Insurance Litigation

    • Offshore & On-shore Injury Cases

    Leveraging his trial-tested insight, Kirk is especially skilled in guiding mediation discussions from both the plaintiff’s and defense perspective—understanding risk, strategy, and settlement impetus.

    • Selected as Lawyer of the Year (2019, Product Liability – Plaintiffs, Baton Rouge area)

    • Holds an AV Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell—one of the highest credentials for legal ability and ethics.

    • Consistently listed in Louisiana Super Lawyers (2013-2025)

    • Member of The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers for multiple years

    Served on the Executive Committee, Board of Governors, and Counsel of Directors of the Louisiana Association for Justice; chaired the Auto Torts Section (2005-2006)

  • A native of Lafourche Parish and fluent in Cajun French, Kirk brings over 30 years of high-stakes litigation and mediation experience to the SELA Dispute Resolution panel. His courtroom background and mediation savvy make him a go-to choice for complex personal injury, admiralty, maritime, and products liability matters.

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Charles “Chuck” M. Hughes, Jr., Esq.

Seasoned Litigation Attorney | Mediator | Panelist, SELA Dispute Resolution

    • Based in Mandeville with the firm Talley, Anthony, Hughes & Knight, LLC, serving individual, corporate, and public-entity clients across state and federal venues.

    • Admitted to the Louisiana bar, 1984 

    • J.D., Louisiana State University Law Center (1984) 

    • B.S., Louisiana State University (1980)

  • Charles has tried:

    • More than 20 jury trials to verdict

    • Over 100 bench trials to verdict

    • Hundreds of motions and hearings in multiple jurisdictions and appellate courts

    His mediation and litigation specialties include:

    • Casualty & personal injury claims

    • Medical-lien disputes

    • Law-enforcement and government-agency claims

    • Premises liability

    • Timber & land-owner matters

    • Public-entity and utility disputes

  • A lifelong Southeast Louisiana resident, Charles “Chuck” Hughes brings over 35 years of courtroom and mediation experience to SELA. With a robust track record from both sides of disputes, he offers uniquely balanced insight that helps parties reach meaningful resolutions efficiently and fairly.

With experience in 100+ mediations as disputant and neutral, Charles emphasizes a practical, interest-based mediation style. He helps parties uncover what really matters, align on mutual goals, and reach resolution without unnecessary delay or expense.

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Shannon Howard-Eldridge, Esq.

Qualified Mediator | Civil & Family Dispute Specialist

    • Licensed to practice in Louisiana State and Federal Courts since 1994; admitted to the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

    • J.D. – Loyola University New Orleans College of Law (1994)

    • B.A. in Elementary Education – University of New Orleans (1987)

    • AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell—reflecting the highest standards of legal ability & ethics. 

    • Qualified mediator in civil and child-custody matters; listed under LA R.S. 9:4106 and the Child Custody & Visitation register maintained by the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the Louisiana State Bar Association.

  • Shannon’s background spans both high-level insurance and defense litigation, as well as civil and family mediation. Her specialties include:

    • Pre-litigation mediation—family disputes, neighborhood issues, small business conflicts

    • Divorce & child custody mediation

    • Insurance coverage and defense matters (including residential/commercial property, London Market insurers)

    • Conflict resolution involving animals (dog ownership & related disputes)—a niche she welcomes personally and professionally

    • Flexible mediation formats: in-person, Zoom, evenings or weekends

  • A native of New Orleans and long-time resident of Madisonville (since 2006), Shannon brings nearly three decades of litigation, mediation, and insurance-defense experience to her role at SELA. She is uniquely positioned to guide parties through both civil and family-law mediation with insight, empathy, and structure.

With her litigation experience and family law mediation focus, Shannon helps parties avoid court, reduce cost and stress, and reach durable resolutions that preserve what’s best for each, individual family.

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Mark J. Mansfield, Esq.

Board-Certified Family Law Specialist | Owner, Mark J. Mansfield & Associates)

A Metairie native and longtime Northshore resident, Mark J. Mansfield brings deep experience and a results-driven mindset to family-law mediation. After founding his own firm, Mark J. Mansfield & Associates in Covington, Louisiana, he now leads a team focused on personalized solutions for individuals and families navigating divorce, custody, support, and high-stakes family disputes.

    • Juris Doctor from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law (2000)

    • Graduated cum laude with a B.A. in History from Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio (1997)

    • AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale‑Hubbell since 2010

    • Board-Certified Family Law Specialist by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization (since 2011)

    • Recognized multiple years as a “Top 50 Attorneys in Louisiana” and “Lawyer of the Year (Family Law)” by major publications

  • Mark’s litigation and mediation practice specializes in:

    • Divorce & marital dissolution

    • Child custody, visitation & parenting plans

    • Spousal & child support

    • Pre- and post-nuptial agreements

    • Division of community and jointly-owned property

    Having tried numerous courtroom matters and now operating a dedicated mediation-first law firm, Mark combines courtroom-tested strategy with collaborative resolution techniques. His focus on interest-based mediation helps parties move beyond adversarial stances to meaningful agreements.

    • Founded Mansfield Law (Mark J. Mansfield & Associates) in Covington, LA, built on personalized service and team-based legal support.

    • Past President of the 22nd Judicial District Court Bar Association; chaired the Committee for Family Law Board Certification (2023-24)

    • Speaker and CLE instructor on family law issues, including child support, asset division and custody concerns.

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Craig J. Robichaux, Esq.

Founding Partner of SELA Dispute Resolution, SELA Co‑Parenting & SELA Family Mediations | Trial Lawyer | Mediator & Arbitrator

With over 38 years of litigation experience in Louisiana and beyond, Craig Robichaux brings unmatched depth in complex disputes and alternative dispute resolution. As a co-founder of SELA and its related platforms, he leads mediation efforts for high-stakes personal injury, family law, insurance, and business-dissolution matters.

    • LL.M. in Dispute Resolution – Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law, Straus Institute (2021)

    • J.D. – Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center (1985)

    • B.S. in Finance & Accounting – Louisiana State University (1982)

    • AV Preeminent® Rating, Martindale‑Hubbell 

    • Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers

  • Craig’s practice spans:

    • Medical malpractice & healthcare litigation

    • Complex casualty and insurance claims

    • Business dissolutions and large-value commercial disputes

    • Succession, trust & estate litigation

    • Family law mediation, including custody, support, and community property partition

    He serves as mediator, arbitrator, umpire, and peer-review neutral—especially in cases involving combined litigation and family/resolution dimensions. 

    His leadership ensures SELA’s mission: innovative, fair, and efficient resolution across civil and family conflicts—with a focus on control, cost-efficiency, and practical outcomes. 

    • AV-Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell

    • Super Lawyer in medical malpractice & divorce litigation 

    • Board-certified mediator & child-custody mediator in Louisiana 

    • Certified Circuit Civil Mediator (Florida)