“From my first conversations with the firm two years ago, I felt confident in the people, the culture, and the quality of the work and that feeling has only grown stronger over time,” said Waltman. “I’m grateful to work with people I respect, on challenging and meaningful matters, in an environment that values excellence and helps me grow as a lawyer and a leader.”
Waltman works with a range of clients, including financial institutions, conservation organizations, energy companies, and business owners in state and federal courts, guiding matters from early case assessment through trial and appeal. His experience spans contract disputes, regulatory matters, bankruptcy-related litigation, and land use and zoning issues, among other complicated and routine litigation.
Before joining Gordon Arata, Waltman practiced law in Mississippi and remains deeply engaged in the state’s legal community, regularly handling matters there and contributing to the firm’s expanding presence in Mississippi.
“Jess is not only a terrific lawyer, but someone who consistently elevates the people around him,” says firm Member Alex Rothenberg. “His collaborative approach and commitment to the community make him a great fit for our firm culture while his Mississippi roots, where he was raised, educated, and built his legal career, are a meaningful driver of our growth along the Gulf Coast.”
In addition to his litigation practice, Waltman is a frequent speaker and presenter on topics related to commercial litigation, bankruptcy, trial strategy, and professional development. He regularly shares practical insights with fellow attorneys, business leaders, and industry professionals, reinforcing his reputation as a trusted thought leader.
Waltman has earned numerous honors and recognition, including 2026 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Louisiana State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division’s 2024 Top 40 Young Lawyer Award Recipient, 2025 Louisiana Super Lawyers Rising Star, and 2023 New Lawyer of the Year by the Mississippi Association for Justice.
He serves in leadership roles in legal and community organizations in Louisiana and Mississippi, including the Human Rights Campaign, American Cancer Society, American Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, and New Orleans Bar Association. Waltman also served as the president of the Young Lawyers Division of the Mississippi Bar for the 2022 -2023 bar year, and he served a three-year term on the Board of Commissioners of the Mississippi Bar.
To learn more about Jess Waltman, visit his profile or contact him at jwaltman@gordonarata.com or 504-582-1111. For media inquiries, contact Jennifer Bond at jbond@gordonarata.com or 504-679-9825. For information about the firm, visit gordonarata.com.
About Gordon Arata
Gordon Arata is a full service, diversified business law firm serving clients across the Gulf South and beyond. With offices in Louisiana and Texas, the firm’s more than forty attorneys advise businesses on complex litigation, transactions, and regulatory matters across a broad range of industries.