Atty. Gerald "Jess" Waltman

Atty. Gerald "Jess" Waltman

Gerald “Jess” Waltman III joined Gordon Arata in 2023 and represents clients in banking, construction, energy, and other litigation matters. Prior to Gordon Arata, Jess litigated complex pharmaceutical and medical device cases.

New Orleans New Orleans 10 yrs experience 10 year
Call (504) 582-1111 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Gerald "Jess" Waltman at a glance

Gerald "Jess" Waltman is a business and litigation attorney based in New Orleans, Louisiana, practicing at Gordon Arata. They have 10+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2016. Admitted to practice in Louisiana, Louisiana State Bar Association (2016), Mississippi, The Mississippi Bar (2017), Mississippi, The Mississippi Bar (2017), and Mississippi, The Mississippi Bar (2017). Educated at University of Mississippi (J.D., 2016). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Banking and Finance Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Environmental (2026). Serands clients in New Orleans, LA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Gerald “Jess” Waltman III joined Gordon Arata in 2023 and represents clients in banking, construction, energy, and other litigation matters
  • Prior to Gordon Arata, Jess litigated complex pharmaceutical and medical device cases
  • Jess graduated, magna cum laude, from the University of Mississippi School of Law and was awarded the Robert C. Khayat Award for Outstanding Service to the Mississippi Law Journal by his peers and the 2016 Outstanding Law Student Award by the faculty
  • While in law school, Jess served as president of the Student Bar Association, as the executive online editor and alumni coordinator of the Mississippi Law Journal, and as editor-in-chief of the UM Business Law Newsletter
  • He was also active with the School of Law’s Trial Advocacy Board, Dean’s Leadership Council, and Pro Bono Initiative, which allows practicing attorneys and law students to provide legal services to low-income individuals
  • In 2013, Jess graduated from the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College and earned his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from the Patterson School of Accountancy at the University of Mississippi
  • In his senior year, Jess was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi and the University of Mississippi Hall of Fame
  • From 2022 to 2023, Jess served as the president of the Young Lawyers Division of the Mississippi Bar, and he has served in leadership roles in multiple other organizations, including the New Orleans Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Mississippi Association for Justice, the University of Mississippi Alumni Association, the American Cancer Society, and the Human Rights Campaign
  • In 2023, Jess was honored as one of the members of the “Top Forty Under Forty” class by the University of Mississippi Alumni Association and in the Mississippi Business Journal’s 2023 “Top Forty Under Forty” class
  • He was also named the 2023 New Lawyer of the Year by the Mississippi Association for Justice

Practice Areas Explained

Gerald "Jess" Waltman's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Gerald "Jess" Waltman handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Business & Corporate Law

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

Gerald "Jess" Waltman is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Louisiana →

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

Gerald "Jess" Waltman is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Louisiana →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Louisiana

Practicing law in Louisiana. Legal matters in Louisiana are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in New Orleans are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Louisiana state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Louisiana brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Louisiana courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Louisiana attorneys? Browse all attorneys in New Orleans or all attorneys in Louisiana.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Gerald "Jess" Waltman

Where is Gerald "Jess" Waltman's law office located?
Gerald "Jess" Waltman's law practice is located in New Orleans, Louisiana. The firm is Gordon Arata. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Gerald "Jess" Waltman handle?
Gerald "Jess" Waltman focuses on business, litigation. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Louisiana.
How long has Gerald "Jess" Waltman practiced law?
Gerald "Jess" Waltman has 10+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 2016.
Where did Gerald "Jess" Waltman go to law school?
Gerald "Jess" Waltman earned their education at (J.D., 2016).
How can I contact Gerald "Jess" Waltman for a consultation?
You can contact Gerald "Jess" Waltman directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Gerald "Jess" Waltman received?
Gerald "Jess" Waltman's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Banking and Finance Law; Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation; Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Environmental.

Education

J.D.
University of Mississippi
- 2016

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Banking and Finance Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Environmental
- 2026

Bar Admissions

Louisiana, Louisiana State Bar Association
Admitted: 2016
Mississippi, The Mississippi Bar
Admitted: 2017
Mississippi, The Mississippi Bar
Admitted: 2017
Mississippi, The Mississippi Bar
Admitted: 2017
Mississippi, The Mississippi Bar
Admitted: 2017
Mississippi, The Mississippi Bar
Admitted: 2017
Mississippi, The Mississippi Bar
Admitted: 2017
Mississippi, The Mississippi Bar
Admitted: 2017
Mississippi, The Mississippi Bar
Admitted: 2017
Mississippi, The Mississippi Bar
Admitted: 2017
Alabama, Alabama State Bar Association
Admitted: 2018
Alabama, Alabama State Bar Association
Admitted: 2018
Alabama, Alabama State Bar Association
Admitted: 2018
Alabama, Alabama State Bar Association
Admitted: 2018
Alabama, Alabama State Bar Association
Admitted: 2018
Alabama, Alabama State Bar Association
Admitted: 2018
Alabama, Alabama State Bar Association
Admitted: 2018
Alabama, Alabama State Bar Association
Admitted: 2018
Alabama, Alabama State Bar Association
Admitted: 2018
Arizona, State Bar of Arizona
Admitted: 2019
Arizona, State Bar of Arizona
Admitted: 2019
Arizona, State Bar of Arizona
Admitted: 2019
Arizona, State Bar of Arizona
Admitted: 2019
Arizona, State Bar of Arizona
Admitted: 2019
Arizona, State Bar of Arizona
Admitted: 2019
Arizona, State Bar of Arizona
Admitted: 2019
Arizona, State Bar of Arizona
Admitted: 2019
Arizona, State Bar of Arizona
Admitted: 2019

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