Professional Honors & Awards
Kean Miller LLP is widely recognized for its leadership in the legal community and for our commitment to numerous industry and professional groups.
Martindale-Hubbell AV-Ratings:
Fifty Kean Miller LLP lawyers (38%) are AV-rated by the Martindale-Hubbell legal directory. An AV-rating reflects the confidential opinions of Bar members and the judiciary, and attests to the individual lawyer's legal ability and adherence to professional standards of ethics. The Martindale-Hubbell AV-rating indicates very high to preeminent legal ability and very high ethical standards as established by confidential opinions from members of the Bar.
American Colleges
Many Kean Miller attorneys have been recognized for professional excellence by the prominent legal colleges. Mike McGlone, Charles McCowan, Gary Bezet, Vance Gibbs, and Jim Dore are all member of the American College of Trial Lawyers. In addition, Carey Messina is a member of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, and Mack Gregorie is a member of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys.
Law School Leadership:
Kean Miller LLP attorneys have strong academic backgrounds. Over thirty have been elected to the Order of the Coif, the highest academic honor awarded in law school. Many have served as editors-in-chief, editors and staff writers of the Louisiana Law Review, Tulane Law Review, and Loyola Law Review. More than twenty attorneys have served, or presently serve, as Adjunct Professors at the LSU Law Center, Tulane Law School, and Loyola Law School.
Bar Association Service:
Jay Jalenak and Mathile Abramson recently served as President of the Baton Rouge Bar Association. Kean Miller LLP environmental and toxic tort partner Esteban Herrera, Jr. served as the 2007-2008 chair of the Environmental Law Section of the Louisiana State Bar Association. The Environmental Law Section has approximately 350 members across the state of Louisiana. Karli Wilson was the 2008 Chair of the Young Lawyers Section of the Baton Rouge Bar Association. Melissa Cresson was elected as the Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year by the Louisiana State Bar Association in 2004 and Karli Wilson was recognized with the 2010 award.
Numerous Kean Miller LLP attorneys are involved in leadership positions in the Louisiana, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Southwest Louisiana Bar Associations.
Corporate Counsel Magazine:
Kean Miller LLP is recognized as a "Go-To" law firm in Louisiana by in-house counsel at three major Fortune 500 companies. The "Go-To Law Firms" list is compiled from a survey of Fortune® 500 in-house lawyers and is conducted by Corporate Counsel magazine. Only the law firms that meet the strict requirements of the Fortune 500 clients they serve are appointed. No law firm can request to be listed and less than one-half of one percent of all of the law firms in the U.S. and abroad are included.
National Law Journal Midsize "Hot List":
Kean Miller LLP was recently recognized by the National Law Journal in its inaugural "Midsize Hot List." The “Hot List” honors law firms from 100 to 300 attorneys that demonstrate exemplary innovation in practice management, fee arrangements, attorney recruitment and retention, and business development, especially in the face of current economic challenges. The “Hot List” was comprised of only 20 law firms from across the United States that demonstrate “creative, innovative strategies to stay competitive.” The national legal publication also notes that midsize law firms have gained a significant advantage over “mega-firms” by being "more adept in addressing clients' concerns about price constraints, their frustrations with traditional billing structures and their desire to staff matters more efficiently."
Best Lawyers in America:
Twenty-one Kean Miller LLP partners are listed in the 2011 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Published biennially since 1983, The Best Lawyers in America is widely regarded as the preeminent referral guide to the legal profession in the United States. Compiled through an exhaustive peer-review survey in which thousands of the top lawyers in the U.S. confidentially evaluate their professional peers, the current edition of Best Lawyers is based on more than 350,000 detailed evaluations of lawyers by other lawyers.
Chambers USA:
Thirteen Kean Miller LLP lawyers are listed in the 2011 edition of Chambers USA - America's Leading Business Lawyers. Chambers is widely regarded as the preeminent European referral guide for the U.S. legal profession. Compiled through exhaustive surveys with over 4500 lawyers from Maine to Hawaii, the guide is based solely on market recommendation. Researchers spend one year canvassing clients and lawyers across the U.S. to obtain a consistent market view of which firms and attorneys are considered leaders in their field. In addition, four key practice areas at Kean Miller LLP were recognized as Top Tier legal resources in Louisiana. The firm was ranked first in Environmental Law, second in both Energy & Natural Resources and Litigation/General Commercial, and third in Corporate/M&A.
Super Lawyers:
Twenty-two Kean Miller LLP lawyers are listed in the 2011 edition of Louisiana Super Lawyers. The publishers strictly adhere to a rigorous selection process by verifying and validating all data submitted by lawyers and law firms. The Kean Miller LLP lawyers listed include: Christopher J. Dicharry (Administrative Law, Tax); Gary A. Bezet (Class Action / Mass Torts, Personal Injury Defense: General, Eminent Domain); Dean P. Cazenave (Real Estate, Business/Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions); Charles S. "Trey" McCowan, III (Environmental Litigation, Energy & Natural Resources); Class Action / Mass Torts); Charles S. McCowan, Jr. (Class Action / Mass Torts, Environmental); William R. D'Armond (Employment & Labor); Melanie M. Hartmann (Employment & Labor); Maureen N. Harbourt (Environmental, Energy & Natural Resources); Leonard L. “Len” Kilgore, III (Environmental, Civil Litigation Defense, Class Action/Mass Tort); Kevin C. Curry (Estate Planning and Probate); Carey J. Messina (Estate Planning and Probate, Estate and Trust Litigation, Tax); James P. "Jim" Doré (Environmental Litigation, Class Action/Mass Torts, Personal Injury Defense, Medical Malpractice); Isaac M. "Mack" Gregorie, Jr. (Real Estate, Business/Corporate); Todd A. Rossi (Tax, Business Litigation); Michael A. McGlone (Energy & Natural Resources, Personal Injury Defense, General Litigation), Charles R. "Chuck" Talley (Transportation / Maritime, Energy & Natural Resources); Katherine W. King (Utilities, Energy & Natural Resources); David K. Nelson (Construction Litigation, Construction/Surety, Business Litigation); Michael R. Phillips (Business Litigation); Russel O. Primeaux (Intellectual Property, Intellectual Property Litigation); Linda G. Rodrigue (Health Care); and Ben R. Miller, Jr. (Mergers & Acquisitions, Business/Corporate, Estate Planning & Probate).
40 Under 40:
Fourteen Kean Miller LLP partners are "40 under 40" honorees. The "40 under 40 Awards," organized by the Baton Rouge Business Report, recognize local business leaders under the age of 40 for their professional accomplishments, community service, and dedication to their profession. Kean Miller's "40 under 40" award recipients include: J. Eric Lockridge (2009); G. Trippe Hawthorne (2008); Jeffrey N. Boudreaux (2007); Melissa M. Cresson (2003); Glenn M. Farnet (2003); John F. Jakuback (2002); Jay M. Jalenak (2000); Erich P. Rapp (2000); Charles S. "Trey" McCowan, III (2000); James R. "Sonny" Chastain (1999); G. Blane Clark, Jr. (1999); L. Victor Gregoire (1999), and Linda Perez Clark (1995).
Leadership in Law:
Five Kean Miller LLP partners have been recognized by New Orleans CityBusiness magazine for their leadership in the legal community. Christopher J. Dicharry (2005), Michael G. "Mike" McGlone (2006), Glenn P. Orgeron (2008), Brad Schlotterer (2010), Karen Waters Shipman (2011) have received the "Leadership in Law" award which recognizes the top 50 lawyers in the New Orleans area based on their professional, civic, and charitable endeavors.
Influential Women in Business:
Three Kean Miller LLP partners have been recognized by Baton Rouge Business Report as Influential Women in Business. In 2005, Katherine King was recognized for her work to help keep Louisiana industry competitive. In 2008, Linda Perez Clark was recognized for her legal skill, community involvement, civic leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit. In 2010, Maureen Harbourt was recognized for her leadership of Kean Miller's diversity program, and for helping Baton Rouge remain competitive in the face of increased environmental regulatory activity. Our Chief Financial Officer, Alice L. Miller is the 2011 recipient of the award.
Chevron Diversity Award:
Kean Miller LLP was selected as one of three recipients of the Chevron Corporation Law Function’s sixth-annual Law Firm Diversity Recognition Award in July 2010. The award program, started in 2005, recognizes Chevron’s law firm partners who have distinguished themselves by demonstrating their commitment to diversity in the legal profession and by fostering an inclusive work environment. Kean Miller's diversity and inclusion efforts were also recognized by Chevron in 2008.
Louisiana Appleseed:
In 2010, Kean Miller LLP was selected for the Louisiana Appleseed "Good Apple" award as a result of the firm's pro bono project on dating violence prevention. Kean Miller LLP attorneys helped research, draft, and pass legislation that requires dating violence prevention be taught in all Louisiana high schools. The award was given at the Louisiana Appleseed gala in New Orleans on January 20, 2011.
Martindale-Hubbell AV-Ratings:
Fifty Kean Miller LLP lawyers (38%) are AV-rated by the Martindale-Hubbell legal directory. An AV-rating reflects the confidential opinions of Bar members and the judiciary, and attests to the individual lawyer's legal ability and adherence to professional standards of ethics. The Martindale-Hubbell AV-rating indicates very high to preeminent legal ability and very high ethical standards as established by confidential opinions from members of the Bar.
American Colleges
Many Kean Miller attorneys have been recognized for professional excellence by the prominent legal colleges. Mike McGlone, Charles McCowan, Gary Bezet, Vance Gibbs, and Jim Dore are all member of the American College of Trial Lawyers. In addition, Carey Messina is a member of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, and Mack Gregorie is a member of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys.
Law School Leadership:
Kean Miller LLP attorneys have strong academic backgrounds. Over thirty have been elected to the Order of the Coif, the highest academic honor awarded in law school. Many have served as editors-in-chief, editors and staff writers of the Louisiana Law Review, Tulane Law Review, and Loyola Law Review. More than twenty attorneys have served, or presently serve, as Adjunct Professors at the LSU Law Center, Tulane Law School, and Loyola Law School.
Bar Association Service:
Jay Jalenak and Mathile Abramson recently served as President of the Baton Rouge Bar Association. Kean Miller LLP environmental and toxic tort partner Esteban Herrera, Jr. served as the 2007-2008 chair of the Environmental Law Section of the Louisiana State Bar Association. The Environmental Law Section has approximately 350 members across the state of Louisiana. Karli Wilson was the 2008 Chair of the Young Lawyers Section of the Baton Rouge Bar Association. Melissa Cresson was elected as the Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year by the Louisiana State Bar Association in 2004 and Karli Wilson was recognized with the 2010 award.
Numerous Kean Miller LLP attorneys are involved in leadership positions in the Louisiana, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Southwest Louisiana Bar Associations.
Corporate Counsel Magazine:
Kean Miller LLP is recognized as a "Go-To" law firm in Louisiana by in-house counsel at three major Fortune 500 companies. The "Go-To Law Firms" list is compiled from a survey of Fortune® 500 in-house lawyers and is conducted by Corporate Counsel magazine. Only the law firms that meet the strict requirements of the Fortune 500 clients they serve are appointed. No law firm can request to be listed and less than one-half of one percent of all of the law firms in the U.S. and abroad are included.
National Law Journal Midsize "Hot List":
Kean Miller LLP was recently recognized by the National Law Journal in its inaugural "Midsize Hot List." The “Hot List” honors law firms from 100 to 300 attorneys that demonstrate exemplary innovation in practice management, fee arrangements, attorney recruitment and retention, and business development, especially in the face of current economic challenges. The “Hot List” was comprised of only 20 law firms from across the United States that demonstrate “creative, innovative strategies to stay competitive.” The national legal publication also notes that midsize law firms have gained a significant advantage over “mega-firms” by being "more adept in addressing clients' concerns about price constraints, their frustrations with traditional billing structures and their desire to staff matters more efficiently."
Best Lawyers in America:
Twenty-one Kean Miller LLP partners are listed in the 2011 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Published biennially since 1983, The Best Lawyers in America is widely regarded as the preeminent referral guide to the legal profession in the United States. Compiled through an exhaustive peer-review survey in which thousands of the top lawyers in the U.S. confidentially evaluate their professional peers, the current edition of Best Lawyers is based on more than 350,000 detailed evaluations of lawyers by other lawyers.
Chambers USA:
Thirteen Kean Miller LLP lawyers are listed in the 2011 edition of Chambers USA - America's Leading Business Lawyers. Chambers is widely regarded as the preeminent European referral guide for the U.S. legal profession. Compiled through exhaustive surveys with over 4500 lawyers from Maine to Hawaii, the guide is based solely on market recommendation. Researchers spend one year canvassing clients and lawyers across the U.S. to obtain a consistent market view of which firms and attorneys are considered leaders in their field. In addition, four key practice areas at Kean Miller LLP were recognized as Top Tier legal resources in Louisiana. The firm was ranked first in Environmental Law, second in both Energy & Natural Resources and Litigation/General Commercial, and third in Corporate/M&A.
Super Lawyers:
Twenty-two Kean Miller LLP lawyers are listed in the 2011 edition of Louisiana Super Lawyers. The publishers strictly adhere to a rigorous selection process by verifying and validating all data submitted by lawyers and law firms. The Kean Miller LLP lawyers listed include: Christopher J. Dicharry (Administrative Law, Tax); Gary A. Bezet (Class Action / Mass Torts, Personal Injury Defense: General, Eminent Domain); Dean P. Cazenave (Real Estate, Business/Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions); Charles S. "Trey" McCowan, III (Environmental Litigation, Energy & Natural Resources); Class Action / Mass Torts); Charles S. McCowan, Jr. (Class Action / Mass Torts, Environmental); William R. D'Armond (Employment & Labor); Melanie M. Hartmann (Employment & Labor); Maureen N. Harbourt (Environmental, Energy & Natural Resources); Leonard L. “Len” Kilgore, III (Environmental, Civil Litigation Defense, Class Action/Mass Tort); Kevin C. Curry (Estate Planning and Probate); Carey J. Messina (Estate Planning and Probate, Estate and Trust Litigation, Tax); James P. "Jim" Doré (Environmental Litigation, Class Action/Mass Torts, Personal Injury Defense, Medical Malpractice); Isaac M. "Mack" Gregorie, Jr. (Real Estate, Business/Corporate); Todd A. Rossi (Tax, Business Litigation); Michael A. McGlone (Energy & Natural Resources, Personal Injury Defense, General Litigation), Charles R. "Chuck" Talley (Transportation / Maritime, Energy & Natural Resources); Katherine W. King (Utilities, Energy & Natural Resources); David K. Nelson (Construction Litigation, Construction/Surety, Business Litigation); Michael R. Phillips (Business Litigation); Russel O. Primeaux (Intellectual Property, Intellectual Property Litigation); Linda G. Rodrigue (Health Care); and Ben R. Miller, Jr. (Mergers & Acquisitions, Business/Corporate, Estate Planning & Probate).
40 Under 40:
Fourteen Kean Miller LLP partners are "40 under 40" honorees. The "40 under 40 Awards," organized by the Baton Rouge Business Report, recognize local business leaders under the age of 40 for their professional accomplishments, community service, and dedication to their profession. Kean Miller's "40 under 40" award recipients include: J. Eric Lockridge (2009); G. Trippe Hawthorne (2008); Jeffrey N. Boudreaux (2007); Melissa M. Cresson (2003); Glenn M. Farnet (2003); John F. Jakuback (2002); Jay M. Jalenak (2000); Erich P. Rapp (2000); Charles S. "Trey" McCowan, III (2000); James R. "Sonny" Chastain (1999); G. Blane Clark, Jr. (1999); L. Victor Gregoire (1999), and Linda Perez Clark (1995).
Leadership in Law:
Five Kean Miller LLP partners have been recognized by New Orleans CityBusiness magazine for their leadership in the legal community. Christopher J. Dicharry (2005), Michael G. "Mike" McGlone (2006), Glenn P. Orgeron (2008), Brad Schlotterer (2010), Karen Waters Shipman (2011) have received the "Leadership in Law" award which recognizes the top 50 lawyers in the New Orleans area based on their professional, civic, and charitable endeavors.
Influential Women in Business:
Three Kean Miller LLP partners have been recognized by Baton Rouge Business Report as Influential Women in Business. In 2005, Katherine King was recognized for her work to help keep Louisiana industry competitive. In 2008, Linda Perez Clark was recognized for her legal skill, community involvement, civic leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit. In 2010, Maureen Harbourt was recognized for her leadership of Kean Miller's diversity program, and for helping Baton Rouge remain competitive in the face of increased environmental regulatory activity. Our Chief Financial Officer, Alice L. Miller is the 2011 recipient of the award.
Chevron Diversity Award:
Kean Miller LLP was selected as one of three recipients of the Chevron Corporation Law Function’s sixth-annual Law Firm Diversity Recognition Award in July 2010. The award program, started in 2005, recognizes Chevron’s law firm partners who have distinguished themselves by demonstrating their commitment to diversity in the legal profession and by fostering an inclusive work environment. Kean Miller's diversity and inclusion efforts were also recognized by Chevron in 2008.
Louisiana Appleseed:
In 2010, Kean Miller LLP was selected for the Louisiana Appleseed "Good Apple" award as a result of the firm's pro bono project on dating violence prevention. Kean Miller LLP attorneys helped research, draft, and pass legislation that requires dating violence prevention be taught in all Louisiana high schools. The award was given at the Louisiana Appleseed gala in New Orleans on January 20, 2011.