David Halpern is a partner in the New Orleans office of Kean Miller. He joined the firm in 2015 and practices in the business, real estate, and commercial litigation groups. David has over 30 years of legal and business experience, and assists clients with a variety of legal, corporate, and land use matters. His clients include national, regional, and local businesses, real estate developers, bars and restaurants, and New Orleans area businesses. His practice includes land use issues, zoning ordinances, mergers and acquisitions, and transactions. He also serves on governmental advisory boards and represents businesses and individuals before regulatory authorities.
David is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, and was recognized by New Orleans Magazine in 2009 as a New Orleans Top Lawyer and selected by New Orleans CityBusiness as a 2016 Leadership in Law recipient. He serves the legal profession as Chairman of one of the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Disciplinary Board Hearing Committees (2010-2017). David is listed by The Best Lawyers in America, 2016-2025 and as a New Orleans Lawyer of the Year in Land Use and Zoning Law for 2019.
- Representation of New Orleans area restaurants, bars and clubs in land use, noise ordinances, licensing, and general business transactions and contracts
- Representation of a national billboard advertising company in land use and zoning disputes
- Leasing, franchising, and buy-back matters for a nationally recognized restaurant chain
- Negotiation of naming rights for a major New Orleans sports venue
- Liquor license applications for clients across the United States
- Litigation and dispute resolution matters related to complex business and real estate transactions
David earned his J.D. from the LSU Law Center in 1979.
- Admitted, Louisiana; United States District Court for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana; United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- Member, New Orleans (Business Law Committee Chair) and Louisiana State Bar Associations; Louisiana Restaurant Association; Louisiana Airport Managers and Associates; National Conference of State Liquor Administrators; Loyola University Institute of Politics (Fellow); Louisiana Restaurant Association
- Contributor, As alcohol industry expands, so does legal assistance, New Orleans CityBusiness, May 27, 2022
- Effects of coronoavirus on business contracts, New Orleans CityBusiness, March 18, 2020
- The Business of Bourbon Street, New Orleans CityBusiness, June 7, 2017