A pair of lawyers have launched a new firm in downtown Baton Rouge in a three-story brick building at 318 St. Charles St. they’ve purchased for $745,000.
Scott Emonet and Kelly Balfour purchased the building from a group of oil and gas professionals who still occupy the building and are renting the second floor space from the attorneys. Their new firm, Balfour Emonet, will occupy the first floor of the building. The firm was formed in mid-July, and the office building was purchased in mid-August, says Emonet, who has practiced for 16 years, mostly in the area of personal injury law.
Balfour has practiced for 15 years, with areas of practice including personal injury law, criminal and family law and business disputes regarding contracts and payment of services. Emonet says he and Balfour do not intend to advertise on billboards or TV.
“We want to get back to getting clients on a referral basis,” he says.
The attorneys say the downtown office is an attractive location because it’s near to the 19th Judicial District Court, allowing them each access to other lawyers and judges.
“I feel like I do a better job for my clients when I see opposing clients and talk to judges,” Balfour says.
The location also allows Emonet, who is a co-owner of Jolie Pearl Oyster Bar, to keep an eye on and to be more active with the restaurant 315 North Blvd. Scot Guidry with Mike Falgoust & Associates represented both the seller and the buyer in the building sale.
—Alexandria Burris
