Michelle Lorio St. Martin

Michelle Lorio St. Martin is a partner at Koch St. Martin, LLC, with over 34 years of legal experience. Her practice is focused on estate planning, trusts, special needs trusts, and succession and probate matters — including contested successions and complex estate disputes. Michelle began her legal career in civil litigation, representing individuals and businesses throughout southern Louisiana. That foundation continues to inform her practice, particularly when guiding families through emotionally sensitive or disputed matters. She also regularly assists clients in planning for long-term care, including Medicaid eligibility and other governmental benefits, with a special emphasis on protecting assets and preserving dignity in aging and special needs contexts.

Michelle is known for her thoughtful, practical approach to helping clients plan for the future and navigate transitions with confidence. She is especially skilled at working with families who may not always agree, striving to resolve issues efficiently and amicably to avoid the expense and strain of prolonged litigation.

Michelle’s accomplishments include successfully defeating interdictions of elderly individuals at both the trial and appellate levels, securing not only the protection of her clients’ rights but also reimbursement of all attorney fees and costs. Her ability to balance legal precision with empathy makes her particularly effective in working with families who may be at odds, always aiming to avoid unnecessary litigation and preserve relationships where possible.

Michelle’s previous litigation experience is deep, having previously represented both private and public entities in complex matters involving mass torts, toxic torts, class actions, and insurance defense. She has handled litigation for major corporate clients such as Dow Chemical Company and Shintech, as well as public entities including Iberville and Lafourche Parishes. Her broad litigation background includes all phases of trial preparation and advocacy—from depositions and hearings to mediation and dispute resolution.

A Baton Rouge native, Michelle graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy and earned both her bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctor from Louisiana State University in 1991. She is an active member of the Baton Rouge Rotary Club and previously served as President and a Board Member of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). An avid tennis player, Michelle has also served on the Board and as President of Bocage Racquet Club. She is a member of both the Baton Rouge Bar Association and the Louisiana State Bar Association.