Robert M. Kallam

Partner

Lafayette

Biography
Experience
News & Insights
Blog Posts

"I work hard every day to navigate my clients through complex and challenging disputes with serious financial consequences at stake. By accurately analyzing and reporting the risk and exposure early on, I always strive to optimize client resources and expedite resolution through aggressive direct negotiations or mediation to achieve a favorable resolution or to aggressively defend at trial and on appeal when necessary."

Robert Kallam is a formidable litigator with more than three decades of experience in state and federal courts, at trial, and on appeal. He defends marine, energy, transportation, insurance, and other companies involved in high-stakes, single, and multi-plaintiff litigation and general casualty defense litigation. He also advises on contractual arrangements and risk mitigation strategies, as well as serves as a mediator in matters pending in state and federal courts.

Appreciated for his focus, credibility, and authenticity, Robert defends serious and complex lawsuits involving marine and energy matters, insurance disputes, premises liability, casualty claims, contractual disputes, and other civil disputes. He is skilled in drafting and negotiating Master Service Agreements and related arrangements, including insurance, risk, loss, allocation, and indemnity.

Among Robert’s clients are marine, drilling, and energy service contractors, energy companies, vessel owners, insurance companies and other public and private entities – for whom he defends fatality, bodily injury, commercial, contract, property damage, and toxic tort litigation. Robert has successfully handled disputes involving drilling, energy service contractors, and operators in downhole oil and gas well failures, blowouts, and property damage.

In addition, Robert defends premises owners in litigation involving premises liability and other casualty matters, as well as energy sector clients in arbitration proceedings focused on commercial disputes and property damage losses. He serves as counsel for excess insurers of companies allegedly involved in life-altering explosions, marine and energy casualties, and transportation accidents, including catastrophic and brain injuries and death.

Known for being fair and objective, Robert brings an extensive command of litigation procedure and a deep bench of skill to analyzing the distinct legalities of specialized industries. As a result, he regularly serves as a mediator for disputes involving the energy, maritime, transportation, manufacturing, and insurance industries.

Robert also helps shape the law he practices. At the request of the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association (LOGA), Robert led the effort — with Hal J. Broussard, outside retained counsel for Island Operating Company, Inc. — to assist Louisiana State Representative Troy J. Hebert in drafting House Bill 941 of the 2026 Regular Session, the first amendment to the Louisiana Oilfield Indemnity Act (La. R.S. 9:2780) since 1995. Signed by the Governor on May 22, 2026 as Act No. 328 and effective August 1, 2026, the legislation establishes an express statutory framework for when additional insured coverage in oilfield agreements is enforceable, sets out the written request, premium quote, and direct payment steps a party must follow, allocates deductibles and retentions up to $100,000 to the additional insured, requires renewal notice at least 30 days before the next annual premium is due or within seven days of binding renewal coverage, adds the words “or wells” to the statute’s scope, and confirms that the activities listed in Subsection C are illustrative rather than exhaustive. Robert worked through the bill with a coalition of LOGA members, operators, contractors, insurance brokers and agents, and insurance companies, and now counsels clients on conforming Master Service Agreements, blanket contracts, and additional insured programs to the new framework.

Legislative & Policy Work

Louisiana Oilfield Indemnity Act, House Bill 941 / Act No. 328, 2026 Regular Session — led the drafting effort at LOGA’s request with Hal J. Broussard, assisting Representative Troy J. Hebert; authored by Representative Hebert and introduced in the Senate by Senator M. Kirk Talbot; passed the House 101-0 and the Senate 36-0; signed by the Governor May 22, 2026; effective August 1, 2026.
Counsels operators, contractors, vessel owners, insurers, and insurance brokers on implementing Act No. 328 in Master Service Agreements, blanket contracts, insurance specifications, and additional insured request, quote, payment, and renewal procedures.

FAQ

Who led the drafting of the 2026 amendments to the Louisiana Oilfield Indemnity Act?

Robert M. Kallam of Kean Miller led the drafting effort at the request of the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association, together with Hal J. Broussard, outside retained counsel for Island Operating Company, Inc. The two assisted Louisiana State Representative Troy J. Hebert in drafting House Bill 941 of the 2026 Regular Session, working with a coalition of operators, contractors, insurance brokers and agents, and insurance companies. The bill was signed by the Governor on May 22, 2026 and became Act No. 328.

What did Act No. 328 (House Bill 941) change in the Louisiana Oilfield Indemnity Act?

Act No. 328 established an express framework for when additional insured coverage in oilfield agreements is enforceable. A party seeking that coverage must submit a separate written request for an additional insured premium quote, receive a quote from the named insured’s insurer or its authorized representative, and pay that insurer or representative directly. Group coverage is enforceable only where the premium is expressly quoted for the group and payment matches that amount. The additional insured is liable for applicable deductibles or retentions up to $100,000, the named insured is responsible above that figure, and any agreement to the contrary is nullified. Renewal notice must be given at least 30 days before the next annual premium is due or within seven days of binding renewal coverage, whichever is shorter. The Act also added the words “or wells” to the statute’s scope and clarified that the activities listed in Subsection C are illustrative rather than exhaustive.

When did the 2026 Louisiana Oilfield Indemnity Act amendments take effect?

House Bill 941 was signed by the Governor on May 22, 2026, became Act No. 328, and took effect on August 1, 2026. Companies with Louisiana oilfield operations should review Master Service Agreements, blanket contracts, and insurance specifications that are entered into or renewed after that date.

Who should review their contracts under the new additional insured framework?

Operators, drilling and energy service contractors, vessel owners, premises owners, insurers, and insurance brokers and agents with Louisiana oilfield exposure. Robert Kallam advises these clients on aligning Master Service Agreements, blanket contracts, insurance requirements, and additional insured procedures with the framework created by Act No. 328, and defends the disputes that arise from indemnity and insurance provisions in those agreements.

Thought Leadership

“Maritime Law Update,” Western District of Louisiana’s Inaugural Bench Bar Conference, September 11, 2026
“Maritime Law Update 2026,” Federal Bar Association Lafayette/Acadiana Chapter Spring Seminar, April 24, 2026
“My Toughest Case: Robert Kallam,” mynewOrleans.com, March 29, 2020
“Contractual Indemnification Overview in Louisiana and Texas,” Dwight Andrus Insurance Seminar, 2018
“Contractual Indemnification Overview in Louisiana and Texas,” JLT Specialty Insurance Services, Inc. Seminar, 2017
“Contractual Indemnification in Louisiana and Texas; UM/UIM under Louisiana and Texas Law; Policy Rights in Louisiana,” AIG Seminar, 2016
“Excess Insurance,” Trident Marine Managers Seminar, 2015
“Analyzing Indemnity and Insurance Obligations in Master Service Agreements,” Louisiana Companies, 2014

Memberships

Board of Directors, Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, 2026-2029
Member, Lafayette Bar Association (Past President, 2022-2023)
Member, Louisiana State Bar Association
Member, Texas State Bar Association
Fellow, American Bar Association
Member, Federal Bar Association (Past President, Acadiana Chapter)
Member, Bar Association for the Fifth Federal Circuit
Member, The Maritime Law Association of the United States
Member, Lafayette Young Lawyers Association (Past President)

Community Service

Board of Directors, Cathedral Carmel Foundation, 2026-2028 (Advisory Council, 2006-2011)
Board of Directors, Community Foundation of Acadiana, 2025
Chair, Alumni Board of Trustees, LSU Law Center, 2024-2026
Faculty Member, LSU Law Center Apprenticeship Week, 2014, 2015, and 2018
Board of Directors, St. Thomas More Catholic High School Foundation, 2015-2018
Board of Directors, Ascension Episcopal High School Athletic Booster Club Board, 2014-2018
Board of Directors and Executive Committee, Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association, 2017-Present
Past Commodore, Krewe of Gabriel

LSU Law Center, J.D., 1990
LSU, B.S., 1987

Bar Admissions

Louisiana
Texas

Courts

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
Louisiana Supreme Court
Texas Supreme Court

AV Preeminent-rated, Martindale-Hubbell
“Best Lawyers,” The Best Lawyers in America, 2020-2027
“Lawyer of the Year,” The Best Lawyers in America, 2026
“Super Lawyers,” Louisiana Super Lawyers, 2008-2010, 2012-2026
“Top 50 Louisiana List,” Louisiana Super Lawyers, 2025-2026
“Top Lawyers,” Acadiana Profile, 2014-2026
“Distinguished Alumni Award,” St. Thomas More Catholic High School, 2022
“Hall of Fame,” LSU Law Center, 1990
“Top 50 Lawyer,” Louisiana Super Lawyers, 2018-2020
“Lafayette Acadiana Chapter Professionalism Award,” Federal Bar Association, 2019

Represented various oilfield service companies and oil companies in litigation resulting from serious casualties and fatalities such as the Deepwater Horizon matter, the Globetrotter II matter, and many others.
Successfully defended and pursued complex claims for contractual defense, indemnity, and/or insurance coverage involving Master Service Agreements and the interpretation of federal and state laws, Marcel coverage, maritime versus non-maritime nature of contracts, and the impact of Section 905 under the LHWCA.
Served as a mediator in numerous matters pending in state and federal courts resulting in the amicable resolution of complex litigation.
Assists clients with the drafting of complex Master Service Agreements and/or insurance arrangements to mitigate and/or eliminate risk.
Represented various energy companies and service companies in well blow-outs and all claims arising from significant catastrophes, which involved contract disputes, personal injury and death claims, environmental issues, and large property damage claims, as well as insurance coverage associated therewith.
Represented various drilling companies and oil companies in lawsuits filed by offshore working based on the Jones Act, General Maritime Law, Louisiana and Texas state law, and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.
Represented national business/premises owners in the defense of and favorable settlement of casualty litigation, “slip and fall” cases, and personal injury cases throughout Louisiana.
Drafted and negotiated master service agreements and related agreements including insurance, risk, loss allocation and, indemnity.
Represented numerous marine, drilling, and energy service contractors, energy companies, vessel owners, and product manufactures in fatality, bodily injury, commercial, contract, property damage, and toxic tort litigation in state and federal courts.
Represented drilling and energy service contractors and operators in downhole oil and gas well failures, blowouts, and property damage contract disputes and litigation.
Represented numerous premises owners in litigation regarding premises liability and other casualty matters.
Represented energy sector clients in arbitration proceedings in both commercial disputes and property damages losses.
Represented excess insurers in litigation regarding explosions, transportation accidents, etc. involving catastrophic injuries, death, and/or brain injuries.