Recognition Underscores the Strength of the firm’s Lafayette Team Across Key Industries & Practice Areas
Gordon Arata congratulates Armistead “Army” M. Long and John Philip “J.P.” Graf on their selection to two recently published Lawdragon 500 guides. Long was named to the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers guide in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field. Graf was selected for the 2025 Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation (LDX) list, which honors rising attorneys shaping the future of global law practice. Long and Graf are the only attorneys recognized in the Lafayette, Louisiana market in their respective guides and are among just a handful of honorees across the state.
“I’m humbled to be recognized in this year’s Lawdragon 500 guide. I enjoy any opportunity to help clients find clarity in uncertainty. It is a responsibility I take to heart. This honor reflects not only my commitment to that mission, but also the extraordinary team at Gordon Arata, whose insight and collaboration define our practice,” said Long.
Each guide is curated through Lawdragon’s time-tested process of independent research, peer nominations, and rigorous vetting. This year’s bankruptcy guide features a diverse group of top-tier professionals, including traditional bankruptcy practitioners, restructuring specialists, and financial litigators. Now in its third year, the LDX guide highlights an impressive group of rising attorneys—typically within 15 years of graduating law school—who represent the future of the legal profession.
Graf states, “I’m honored to be recognized alongside so many impressive peers. Being named to this list reflects the confidence our clients have in us and the dedication of the team around me. I’m excited about what’s ahead and committed to helping grow our Lafayette office and carry our firm’s legacy into the future.”
Long concentrates his practice on creditors’ rights, bankruptcy, and commercial transactions, representing corporate, oil, gas and energy clients across Louisiana and Texas. He is one of only eight active Sub-Chapter V bankruptcy trustees selected by the Department of Justice’s United States Trustee Program to serve in the State of Louisiana. His role as Trustee is that of a neutral party between the debtor and creditor body with the objective of facilitating a consensual Chapter 11 plan.
In addition to his recognition by Lawdragon, Long is ranked by Chambers USA for Bankruptcy/Restructuring and has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation–Bankruptcy, and Energy Law since 2022. He has also been named to Acadiana Profile Magazine’s “Top Lawyers” list seven times, most recently in 2025 for bankruptcy.
Graf represents clients in complex and high-stakes commercial litigation across the energy, construction, banking, property, and general business sectors. He has served as both lead and co-counsel in litigation matters from intake through trial and appeal in state and federal courts across Louisiana.
Graf’s peers have consistently recognized his excellence, including honors from Best Lawyers: One to Watch, Louisiana Super Lawyers Rising Stars, The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40, Louisiana State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division 2023 Top 40 Honoree, Lafayette Bar Association’s 2022 Outstanding Young Lawyer and Top Lawyers in Acadiana.
Long and Graf are part of a deep bench of accomplished Gordon Arata attorneys based in our Lafayette office—an office known for delivering exceptional results in both transactional work and complex commercial litigation. Lafayette member Samuel E. Masur was also recently selected by Lawdragon for its 2025 500 Leading Litigators in America guide. Serving clients in key industries such as energy, banking, and construction, our Lafayette team includes attorneys who are recognized both regionally and nationally for their legal skills and thought leadership. Their work complements the strengths of our New Orleans and Houston offices, allowing us to provide seamless, high-caliber counsel across the Gulf South and beyond.
To contact Army Long or J.P. Graf, call 337-237-0132 or email along@gordonarata.com and jgraf@gordonarata.com.