Steven L. McKneely

Steve McKneely is a seasoned attorney and trusted advisor who has been with Seale & Ross since 2000, becoming a partner in 2005. With over two decades of legal experience, Steve focuses his practice on estate planning, successions, and business law, offering comprehensive legal solutions tailored to the unique needs of individuals, families, and business owners.

Steve’s estate planning practice is centered on helping clients preserve wealth, minimize tax exposure, and ensure their wishes are carried out with clarity and precision. He assists clients with the drafting of wills, trusts, and advance directives, and provides strategic guidance on estate and gift tax planning, including the implementation and ongoing administration of complex estate plans.

He is also experienced in trust operations and maintenance. A significant portion of Steve’s work involves planning for individuals with disabilities and their families. He is well-versed in the creation and administration of special needs trusts, which are essential tools for preserving eligibility for government benefits while ensuring long-term financial security and quality of life for beneficiaries.

In addition to his estate and tax practice, Steve brings a strong business acumen to his legal work, drawing on his background in accounting and software development. He provides legal counsel to small and mid-sized businesses across a wide range of industries, assisting with entity formation and structuring (including corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and nonprofits), corporate governance, and compliance with legal formalities. He also advises on non-disclosure agreements, and buy-sell, shareholder, and operating agreements. His clients value his ability to integrate legal, tax, and business considerations into practical, forward-thinking solutions.

Steve is a Board Certified Estate Planning and Administration Specialist, a designation awarded by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization, reflecting his deep expertise and commitment to excellence in this complex area of law. He is also a past president of the Northshore Estate Planning Council (now the Greater North Shore Estate & Financial Planning Council), a professional organization dedicated to advancing the knowledge and collaboration of estate and financial planning professionals in Tangipahoa, St. Tammany, and Washington Parishes.

A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, Steve earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration with honors from Louisiana Tech University. Before entering the legal profession, he worked as a comptroller and software developer for closely held businesses in the Lafayette area, where he also served on their Boards of Directors. He later earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from LSU’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center, followed by a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation from Southern Methodist University, one of the nation’s leading programs in tax law.

Outside the office, Steve is a supporter of the shooting sports and an advocate for Second Amendment rights and other individual liberties protected by the U.S. Constitution. He frequently advises clients on the use of gun trusts as part of a comprehensive estate plan, helping them navigate the legal complexities of NFA firearms ownership and transfer.

Whether you are planning for your family’s future, navigating a complex probate or succession issue, or managing a business, Steve McKneely offers the knowledge, experience, and personal attention needed to guide you through every step of the legal process.

Serving Individuals and Businesses in:

📍 Tangipahoa Parish (Hammond, Ponchatoula, Amite, Tickfaw, Independence, Kentwood)

📍 St. Tammany Parish (Covington, Madisonville, Slidell, Abita Springs, Mandeville, Lacombe, Pearl River, Folsom, Sun)

📍 Jefferson Parish (Metairie, Kenner, Gretna, Westwego, Harvey, Marrero)

📍 Orleans Parish (New Orleans, Algiers, Lakeview)

📍 Livingston Parish (Denham Springs, Walker, Livingston, Albany)

📍 Ascension Parish (Gonzales, Prairieville, Donaldsonville)

📍 East Baton Rouge Parish (Baton Rouge, Central, Zachary, Baker)

📍 Washington Parish (Franklinton, Bogalusa, Angie, Varnado)

📍 St. Bernard Parish (Chalmette, Arabi, Meraux, Violet)

📍 Plaquemines Parish (Belle Chasse, Port Sulphur, Buras)

📍 Caddo Parish (Shreveport, Blanchard, Greenwood, Mooringsport, Oil City, Vivian)

📍 Bossier Parish (Bossier City, Haughton, Benton, Plain Dealing, Red Chute, Eastwood)

And throughout Louisiana.

Clients appreciate Steven’s thoughtful guidance, ethical communication, and ability to translate complex legal concepts into actionable solutions. Clients describe Steven as highly ethical, solutions-driven, and easy to understand — committed to preserving family wealth and honoring long-term goals.