The New Orleans-based law firm of Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand & Brackett (MBLB) is opening an office in Chicago to expand its practice in the defense of employers and insurance carriers for claims arising under the Defense Base Act. Three attorneys Samantha E. Kaplan, Lejla Alibasic, and Alexa N. Buechler – formerly with Schouest, Bamdas, Soshea & BenMaier (SBSB Eastham) – will join MBLB with Kaplan overseeing the Chicago office. MBLB’s expansion brings the defense firm’s total count to 50 attorneys handling claims for companies in the maritime, insurance, trucking, and transportation industries. MBLB now has 31 lawyers who specialize in litigating claims arising under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), Defense Base Act (DBA) and War Hazards Compensation Act (WHCA). “Claims arising under the Defense Base Act have been of growing importance as a result of the war on terror and other U.S. military and public works operations overseas,” said Alan Brackett, MBLB Managing Member. “Our firm handles DBA claims nationwide, so having an office in Chicago dedicated to this practice area will help the firm expand its influence and reach.” Kaplan began her career in state and federal civil litigation defense and has years of experience defending LHWCA, DBA, and WHCA claims. “Handling Defense Base Act claims is a natural fit me, given my experience and specific expertise,” she said. “I am excited to join MBLB, a firm that has an outstanding national reputation for this complex practice area.” Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand & Brackett was founded in 1997 and has an office in Lafayette, in addition to its New Orleans office at the Hancock Whitney Center (701 Poydras St., Suite 600).