Lugenbuhl, Wheaton, Peck, Rankin & Hubbard is pleased to announce the addition of our newest shareholder, Deborah L. Crain, and associates, Julie S. Meaders and Samuel J. Noblin. 


Crain joins the firm’s Houston office as a shareholder and a Certified Business Coach in the Commercial Litigation section. With 21 years of experience, she focuses on business-related matters, including setting up new businesses, business litigation, and both commercial and residential construction issues. In addition, she also has experience in handling tax disputes, road defect claims, and insurance defense cases. Originally from New Orleans and a former Baton Rouge resident, Crain is a lifelong LSU tiger earning her J.D. from Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert School of Law. A resident of Texas since 2009, she continues to represent numerous individuals and entities in Louisiana. An advocate for the deaf community, Crain volunteers as a sign language interpreter at Triumph Church and time dedicated to implementing video remote interpreting with the Harris County District Attorney's office. She also serves as corporate counsel for the Fort Bend ISD Education Foundation, contributing her time and resources to support local schools.


Meaders joins as an associate in the firm’s New Orleans office. She focuses her practice on general litigation, admiralty, and several areas of insurance, including commercial property, homeowners’ property, environmental, and toxic tort insurance coverage. Originally from San Diego, Julie moved to New Orleans in 2007 for her undergraduate degree at Tulane, where she received her B.A. in Communications and Political Science and served as Editor in Chief of the Tulane Hullabaloo for two years. In 2021, she also earned her J.D., cum laude, from Tulane University Law School. While in law school, she served as Editor in Chief of the Tulane Environmental Journal, interned for Judge James L. Dennis in the Fifth Circuit, as well as competed with and helped coach the Pace Appellate Moot Court Team. Outside of work, Julie is actively involved in several local nonprofit organizations, and she parades with the New Orleans Cherry Bombs.


Noblin also joins as an associate in the firm’s New Orleans office. He focuses his practice on admiralty, commercial real estate, commercial finance, and corporate and commercial law. Originally from Mississippi, Noblin earned his J.D. in 2019 from Mississippi College School of Law, graduating summa cum laude. During this time, he won numerous American Jurisprudence awards and was associate editor of the Mississippi College Law Review. In addition, he was a research fellow for the Mississippi Land Title Examination Standards Board, and a legal intern for the Mississippi Development Authority. Prior to law school, Sam earned his B.A. from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), where he graduated cum laude in 2014 and was a student-athlete on the Ole Miss football team. He then pursued an M.B.A. from Loyola University and was a graduate assistant for the University's Center for Entrepreneurship and Community Development. Sam is also a 504 Founding Member of the Nieux Society, a community of entrepreneurs, artists, and business leaders exploring and developing Web 3.0 technologies and projects in New Orleans.

To learn more about Crain, visit her online profile.


To learn more about Meaders, visit her online profile.


To learn more about Noblin, visit his online profile.


About Lugenbuhl, Wheaton, Peck, Rankin & Hubbard

Founded in 1986, Lugenbuhl, Wheaton, Peck, Rankin & Hubbard is a nationally recognized full-service law firm specializing in core practice areas including admiralty and maritime, bankruptcy, insurance, litigation, commercial, corporate, real estate, and trusts and estates. The firm has evolved and expanded with offices in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Houston, and Gulfport to better serve the needs of its national and international clients. For more information, call (504) 568-1990 or visit www.lawla.com.