Partner in Charge
Loulan J. Pitre
"Our Louisiana offices serve clients from Louisiana, Texas, and coast to coast. We are thrilled to bring our Louisiana knowledge and experience to bear to help our clients achieve their goals, and we appreciate being supported by the resources of a full-service law firm."
Kelly Hart Elects 5 New Partners
Congratulations to Kelly Hart’s newest partners—Jane Jackson, J.R. Johnson, Jeff Kuhnhenn, Chase Medling, and Dan Vela.
Kelly Hart Welcomes Andrew W. Homer
Andrew Homer has joined Kelly Hart as an associate in the firm’s Corporate & Securities section.
Derek Montgomery Joins Kelly Hart
Derek Montgomery joins Kelly Hart's Midland office as a partner in the firm’s Litigation and Appellate practices.
Louis Phillips Featured Speaker at 39th Annual Mississippi Bankruptcy Law Conference
The 39th Annual Bankruptcy Law Conference will be held on November 14-15, 2019, at the Oxford Conference Center in Oxford, Mississippi.
Tiffany Means Authors Column in The Energy Dispatch
Tiffany P. Means penned an article in the October 2019 issue of The Energy Dispatch, a news publication produced by The Institute For Energy Law's Young Energy Professionals (IEL).
Kelly Hart Receives National Rankings from 2020 U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms”
Kelly Hart earned top tier rankings in the 2020 U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” rankings, including four national rankings and 28 first-tier metropolitan rankings.
Nirav Patel Authors Column in The Energy Dispatch
Nirav Patel penned an article in the October 2019 issue of The Energy Dispatch, a news publication produced by the Institute for Energy Law’s Young Energy Professionals (IEL).
Kelly Ransom Serves as Issue Editor of The October Energy Dispatch
Kelly Ransom served as editor of the October 2019 issue of The Energy Dispatch, a news publication produced by the Institute for Energy Law’s Young Energy Professionals (IEL).
Braden Allman Joins Kelly Hart
Braden Allman joins the firm as an associate in the Fort Worth office’s Labor & Employment section.
Kelly Hart Welcomes Six New Associates to Fort Worth Office
Kelly Hart welcomes associates Edward “Teddy” Boschini, Jonathan Petree, Joanna Raines, Mason Smith, Marylynn Smitherman, and Emily Steppick to the Fort Worth office.
Louis Phillips Featured Speaker at 25th Annual Bankruptcy Law Seminar
The 25th Annual Bankruptcy Law Seminar will be held on October 17-18, 2019 at Lod Cook Alumni Center in Baton Rouge.
Twenty-Nine Kelly Hart Attorneys Named 2019 Texas Super Lawyers
Texas Super Lawyers named 29 Kelly Hart attorneys to its 2019 list.
David Keltner Earns Top Texas Super Lawyer Honors
David Keltner has been recognized as a Top 10 Lawyer by Texas Super Lawyers.
Phil McCrury Named Accredited Estate Planner®
Phillip McCrury receives Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®) designation.
Nancy Ribaudo Selected Master Member in the John C. Ford American Inn of Court
Nancy Ribaudo recently was chosen to become a Master member in the John C. Ford American Inn of Court.
David Keltner Named 2020 Arbitration "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers®
Best Lawyers in America® selected David Keltner as the 2020 Dallas/Fort Worth Arbitration “Lawyer of the Year.”
Forty-Three Kelly Hart Attorneys Named The Best Lawyers in America® 2020
Forty-three Kelly Hart attorneys were included in the 26th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America© which is published annually in U.S. News & World Reports.
Travis Alley Joins Kelly Hart
Travis Alley joins Kelly Hart as an associate in the Fort Worth office’s Corporate & Securities section.
Hannah Parks Authors Column in the Fort Worth Business Press
Hannah Parks authored an article addressing what businesses need to know about service and emotional support animals in the workplace.
Kelly Ransom Serves as Issue Editor for The Energy Dispatch
Kelly Ransom served as editor of the July 2019 issue of The Energy Dispatch, a news publication produced by the Institute for Energy Law's Young Energy Professionals.
Sean Bryan Authors 3-Part Article in Fort Worth Business Press
Sean Bryan penned a 3-part article, “New Guidance for Investment in Qualified Opportunity Zones—Part I, II, and III,” which recently was published in the Fort Worth Business Press.
Katherine Hopkins Selected to the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges Next Generation Program
Katherine Hopkins has been selected to participate in the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges (NCBJ) Next Generation (“NextGen”) program.
Alan Hegi Elected Chair of the American Railway Development Association’s Law Section
Alan Hegi recently was elected Chair of the Law Section of the American Railway Development Association (ARDA) for the 2019-2020 fiscal year.
Henry Robinson Authors Article in the 2019 Employee Relations Law Journal
Henry Robinson penned an article, “How Employees May Minimize Current Fiduciary Risks under ERISA—Part II,” which was published in the Summer 2019 Employee Relations Law Journal.
James E.McClain Joins Kelly Hart
.James McClain joins Kelly Hart in the Fort Worth office’s Corporate and Securities section.J
Louis M. Phillips Featured Speaker at 13th Annual Texas Bankruptcy Bench Bar Conference
The 13th Annual Texas Bench Bar Conference provided current and informative advice on the issues most important to bankruptcy and insolvency practitioners.
Rick Shelby Featured Speaker at Louisiana State Bar Association Bankruptcy Seminar
Rick Shelby recently spoke on “Everybody Wants a Discharge—What Is It and How to” at the Louisiana State Bar Association Bankruptcy Code seminar in New Orleans.
Kelly Hart Partner David S. Morales Confirmed as United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas
The United States Senate confirmed David S. Morales to a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
Loulan Pitre Featured Speaker at Second Annual Coastal Law in Louisiana Seminar
Loulan J. Pitre recently spoke on “Coastal Project Development—Public and Private” at the second annual Coastal Law in Louisiana seminar in New Orleans.
Katherine Hopkins Named St. Mary’s University School of Law 10 under 10 Honoree
St. Mary’s University School of Law has selected Katherine Hopkins as a 2019 10 Under 10 award recipient.
Loulan Pitre Honored in Leadership in Law Hall of Fame; Rick Shelby Selected as 2019 Honoree
Loulan Pitre and Rick Shelby have been named to the New Orleans CityBusiness Leadership in Law class of 2019.
Alan Hegi and Michael McConnell Featured Speakers at American Railway Development Association Executive Forum
Alan Hegi and Michael McConnell recently spoke to the Executive Forum of the American Railway Development Association (ARDA) regarding issues and risks in tenant bankruptcy.
Louis Phillips Featured Speaker at the 14th Annual Bankruptcy, Insolvency, and Creditor Rights Retreat
The 14th Annual Bankruptcy, Insolvency, and Creditor Rights (BICR) Retreat will provide the most current and informative advice on the issues most important to bankruptcy and insolvency practitioners.
Kelly Hart Welcomes Meredith W. Knudsen
Meredith W. Knudsen joins the firm as an associate in the Litigation practice group.
Kelly Hart Elects Five New Partners
Kelly Hart elected five new partners—Jonathan Cranz, Brian Garrett, Katherine Hopkins, Drew Neal, and Rick Shelby.
Kelly Hart Pitre Attorneys Named 2018 Top Lawyers by New Orleans Magazine
Lesli D. Harris and Aimee Hebert were selected by their peers for inclusion in New Orleans Magazine’s Top Lawyers list.
TCU Dedicates Expanded, Renovated Dee J. Kelly Alumni & Visitors Center
Texas Christian University held a dedication ceremony on December 7, 2018 to mark the completion of a major expansion and renovation of the Dee J. Kelly Alumni & Visitors Center.
Henry Robinson Authors Article in the Employee Relations Law Journal
Henry Robinson penned an article, “How Employers and Employees may Minimize Current Fiduciary Risks under ERISA,” to be published in the Spring 2019 Employee Relations Law Journal.
Sean Bryan Authors Column in Fort Worth Business Press
Sean Bryan authored an article addressing Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs) and the deferral of tax on capital gains that are invested in these QOZs.
Thirty-two Kelly Hart Attorneys Newly Selected Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation
The Texas Bar Foundation has selected thirty-two Kelly Hart attorneys as Fellows of the Foundation. Fellows are selected for outstanding professional achievements and a demonstrated commitment to the improvement of the justice system throughout Texas.
Rachel Scarafia Appointed to South Louisiana Chapter of the Women’s Energy Network Board
Rachel Scarafia recently was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Women’s Energy Network (WEN) South Louisiana Chapter for a one year term.
Louis Phillips Featured Speaker at 24th Annual Bankruptcy Law Seminar
The 24th Annual Bankruptcy Law Seminar was held on November 8 and 9, 2018 at LSU Law Center.
Kelly Hart Receives Top Tier Rankings in U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms”
Kelly Hart earned high rankings in the 2019 U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” rankings, including 4 national rankings and 26 first-tier metropolitan rankings.
Cheryl Leb Honored as a 2018 Great Woman of Texas
The Fort Worth Business Press selected Cheryl Leb as a 2018 Great Woman of Texas.
Kelly Hart Hosts Nonprofit Leaders Luncheon Series
Together with JPMorgan Chase Bank and Whitley Penn, Kelly Hart hosted the fourth in a series of Lunch and Learns for Nonprofit Professionals at McDavid Studio on September 25, 2018.
Anna Brandl Featured Speaker at the Executive Women’s Club of Midland Luncheon Series
Anna Brandl recently spoke to the Executive Women’s Club of Midland on the fundamentals of intellectual property.
Kelly Hart Welcomes Three New Associates to Fort Worth Office
Kelly Hart welcomes associates Bailey Blaies, Taylor Cummins, and Grant Moore to the Fort Worth office.
Kelly Hart Welcomes Sven Stricker to Austin Office
Sven Stricker joins Kelly Hart as an associate in the Austin office’s Litigation section.
Kelly Hart Welcomes Lesli D. Harris
Lesli D. Harris joins Kelly Hart as Of Counsel in the New Orleans Office’s IP and Litigation sections.
Darren Keyes Elected Fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America
The Construction Lawyers Society of America has elected Darren Keyes to its Fellowship.
Heidi Angel Featured Speaker at the Down Syndrome Partnership of North Texas Speaker Series
Heidi Angel is scheduled to speak at the Down Syndrome Partnership of North Texas (DSPNT) educational speaker series on special needs planning and guardianship.
Jack S. Wilson Joins Kelly Hart
Jack S. Wilson joins Kelly Hart as an associate in the Midland office’s Oil & Gas/Energy Section.
Twenty-eight Kelly Hart Attorneys Recognized on 2018 Texas Super Lawyers List
Texas Super Lawyers named twenty-eight Kelly Hart attorneys to the 2018 list.
The George Washington University Law School Celebrates Dee J. Kelly, Sr. with a Building in his Honor
The George Washington University Law School (GW Law) renamed the Law School Learning Center as the Dee J. Kelly Law Learning Center.
Loulan Pitre Elected Fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America
The Construction Lawyers Society of America has elected Loulan J. Pitre Jr., to its Fellowship.
Leslie Darby Named 2018 Top 50 Woman in Law by National Diversity Council
The National Diversity Council selected Leslie Darby as a Top 50 Woman in Law in the Dallas region.
Kelly Hart Welcomes Elizabeth Spencer Berthiaume
Elizabeth Spencer Berthiaume joins Kelly Hart as an associate in the Fort Worth office's Corporate & Securities Section.
Kelly Hart Welcomes Hillary Hunter
Hillary Hunter joins Kelly Hart as an associate in the Midland office’s Oil & Gas/Energy section.
Sharon Millians Elected to TCU AddRan College of Liberal Arts Board of Visitors Executive Committee
Sharon Millians recently was elected to the Executive Committee of the TCU AddRan College of Liberal Arts Board of Visitors for a two year term.
Forty-Three Kelly Hart Attorneys Named Among The Best Lawyers in America® 2019
The Best Lawyers in America© has named 43 Kelly Hart attorneys to its Best Lawyers® list which is published annually in U.S. News & World Reports.
Kelly Hart Welcomes Jonathan I. Heathman
Jonathan Heathman joins Kelly Hart as an associate in the Fort Worth office’s Corporate & Securities Section.
Kelly Hart Represents Appliance Distributors of Louisiana in Sale to Ferguson Enterprises, Inc.
Kelly Hart represented Appliance Dealers of Louisiana (ADL) in its sale to national plumbing retailer Ferguson Enterprises, Inc.
Kelly Hart Represents Mustang Energy Services in Sale to Extreme Plastics
Kelly Hart represented Mustang Energy Services in its sale to private equity-backed competitor Extreme Plastics Plus (EPP).
Kelly Hart Welcomes Elizabeth A. Cuneo
Elizabeth Cuneo joins Kelly Hart as an associate in the Fort Worth office’s Litigation Section.
David Keltner Named 2018 Chief Justice Jack Pope Professionalism Award Recipient
The Texas Center for Legal Ethics has selected David Keltner to receive the 2018 Pope Award for Integrity and Professionalism.
Rachel Scarafia Selected for Institute of Energy Law Inaugural Leadership Class
The Institute of Energy Law (IEL) has chosen Rachel Scarafia to participate in its inaugural Leadership Class.
Kelly Hart Welcomes Daniel Lichtl
Daniel Lichtl joins Kelly Hart as a partner in the New Orleans Office’s Corporate and Securities Section.
Cheryl Leb Elected Chair of Tarrant County Bar Association Intellectual Property Law Section
Cheryl Leb recently was elected to serve as Chair of the Tarrant County Bar Association (TCBA) Intellectual Property Law Section for a one year term beginning in July of 2018.
Kelly Hart Attorneys Named 2018 Top Attorneys by 360 West Magazine
The July issue of 360 West magazine recognizes 84 Kelly Hart lawyers selected by their peers for inclusion in the Top Attorneys list.
Jane Jackson Authors Column in Louisiana Oil & Gas Association (“LOGA”) Industry Report
Jane Jackson authored an article addressing the recent uptick in lawsuits filed under Louisiana’s environmental citizen suit statute.
Kelly Hart Represents Circus Property and Three Ring Remainder in Real Estate Transaction
Peter Kopfinger recently represented Circus Property I, LLC and Three Ring Remainder I, LLC in the sale of seven restaurant properties.
Alan Hegi Elected Vice Chair of Law Section of the American Railway Development Association
At the annual American Railway Development Association (ARDA) meeting in New York, Alan Hegi was elected to serve as Vice Chair of the Law Section of the ARDA.
David Keltner Featured in Texas Lawbook Story
The Texas Lawbook interviewed David Keltner for its story on his receipt of the Tarrant County Bar Association’s Blackstone Award.
Christopher R. Wilkes Joins Kelly Hart
Christopher R. Wilkes joins Kelly Hart as an associate in the Fort Worth Office’s Corporate and Securities Section.
Kelly Hart Welcomes Robert H. Baker
Robert H. Baker joins Kelly Hart as an associate in the Austin Office’s Corporate and Securities Section.
David Keltner Featured in Fort Worth Business Press Story
Fort Worth Business Press interviewed David Keltner on receiving the Tarrant County Bar Association’s Blackstone Award.
Chambers USA 2018 Recognizes 5 Kelly Hart Attorneys
Chambers USA has ranked 5 Kelly Hart lawyers for excellence in its 2018 edition. Two of the Firm’s lawyers have achieved Band 1 rankings in their respective practice area.
Kelly Hart Welcomes Orest B. Dachniwsky
Orest B. Dachniwsky joins Kelly Hart as Senior Counsel in the Fort Worth Office’s Litigation Section.
David Morales Nominated to Serve as United States District Judge
President Donald Trump has announced his nomination of Kelly Hart & Hallman partner David S. Morales to serve as a District Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
Aimee Hebert Featured in New Orleans CityBusiness Story
New Orleans CityBusiness interviewed Aimee Hebert on how and why mineral royalties came to be classified as “rent” under the state mineral code.
Monica Jacobs Featured Speaker at Permian Basin Petroleum Association’s Water Committee Meeting
Monica Jacobs recently spoke on water rights at the Permian Basin Petroleum Association's Water Committee meeting.
Jane Jackson Featured Speaker at Louisiana State University Mineral Law Institute
Jane Jackson recently spoke on “Citizen Suits Under Environmental Statutes” at the LSU Mineral Law Institute.
Loulan Pitre Featured Panelist at Tulane Environmental Law & Policy Summit
Loulan J. Pitre Jr recently spoke on “Coastal Litigation” at the 23rd Annual Tulane Environmental Law & Policy Summit.
Seventeen Kelly Hart Attorneys Named 2018 Texas Rising Stars
Seventeen Kelly Hart attorneys have been selected as 2018 Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars.
Cheryl Leb Contributing Editor to Thomson Reuters Practical Law
Cheryl Leb served as a contributing editor for Right of Publicity Laws: Texas, a Q&A resource published by Thomson Reuters.
Russell Cawyer Authors Blog on the Payroll Audit Independent Determination Program
The United States Department of Labor (DOL) launches the Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) program, a wage violation self-reporting program.
Loulan J. Pitre Featured Speaker at Coastal Law Seminar
Loulan J. Pitre Jr was a featured speaker at the Coastal Law Seminar on March 1, 2018 on the topic, “Coastal Law in Louisiana—The Historical Perspective.”
Michael McConnell and Louis Phillips Featured Speakers at the Fifth Circuit Bankruptcy Bench-Bar Conference
The Fifth Circuit Bankruptcy Bench-Bar Conference, which was held February 21-23, 2018, provided plenary sessions featuring ethics, evidentiary issues, the aftermath of the most recent Supreme Court cases, and the state of the middle class.
David Keltner Receives Tarrant County Bar Association’s Blackstone Award
The Tarrant County Bar Association (TCBA) has selected David Keltner to receive the prestigious Blackstone Award.
Aimee Hebert Appointed by Louisiana State Law Institute
Aimee Hebert recently was appointed by the Louisiana State Law Institute to serve on its Mineral Law Committee.
Louis Phillips Featured Speaker at the 13th Annual Bankruptcy, Insolvency, and Creditor Rights Educational/Social Retreat
The 13th Annual Bankruptcy, Insolvency, and Creditor Rights (IBCR) Educational Seminar will provide the most current and informative advice on the issues most important to bankruptcy and insolvency practitioners.
Jane A. Jackson Named New Orleans CityBusiness 2018 Leadership in Law Recipient
New Orleans CityBusiness has selected Jane A. Jackson as a 2018 Leadership in Law honoree.
Tiffany Means Joins Kelly Hart Midland Office
Tiffany P. Means joins the firm as an associate in the Oil & Gas/Energy Section.
Kelly Hart Sponsors Inaugural Permian Basin Water in Energy Conference (PBWIEC)
Monica Jacobs, Anna Brandl, and Max Wright are leading Kelly Hart’s involvement with the inaugural PBWIEC on February 20-23 in Midland.
Heidi Angel and Leslie Robnett Join Kelly Hart Fort Worth Office
Kelly Hart welcomes associates Heidi McClain Angel and Leslie Ritchie Robnett to the Fort Worth office.
Mary Baker Named 2018 Woman of Distinction
The Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest selected Mary W. Baker a 2018 Woman of Distinction.
Kelly Hart Welcomes J. Austin Franklin to the Firm
J. Austin Franklin joins the firm as an associate in the Litigation Section.
Twelve Kelly Hart Attorneys Admitted to Pro Bono College
The State Bar of Texas has admitted twelve Kelly Hart attorneys to the 2017 Pro Bono College.
Rick Shelby Named 2018 Louisiana Super Lawyers Rising Star
Rick Shelby has been selected as a 2018 Louisiana Super Lawyers Rising Star.
Louis M. Phillips Earns Top Super Lawyer Honors
Louis Phillips has been recognized as a Top 50 Lawyer by Louisiana Super Lawyers.
Aimee W. Hebert, Louis M. Phillips, Loulan J. Pitre Jr. Named 2018 Louisiana Super Lawyers
Aimee Hebert, Louis Phillips, and Loulan Pitre have been selected as 2018 Louisiana Super Lawyers.More Articles...
Kelly Hart served as lead counsel in the landmark Texas Supreme Court case defining the scope of aider and abettor liability under the Texas Securities Act