Kean Miller is one of the largest full-service law firms in Louisiana
Kean Miller grew up around the
chemical, oil and gas industries
in Louisiana. As the needs of
its clients have changed, so has the
firm’s expertise. “We have developed
our practice areas around our clients’
needs,” said partner Blane Clark Jr.
“We try harder to please the client.”
It appears to be working. Olin
Corp., which manufactures
chemicals and ammunition, started
using Kean Miller on litigation it
inherited when it acquired Pioneer
Cos. Inc., which manufactures
industrial bleaches, in 2007, said
Stuart Roth, senior deputy general
counsel and vice president. Olin has
used the firm ever since.
“One of the things that are
particularly impressive to me is
the pragmatism they show and the
concern for client money,” Roth
said. “We think of the firms that we
use—like Kean Miller—as a partner.
And we expect those firms to be
thinking as if they were partially
in-house counsel at Olin.”
The firm boasts a client list
that includes Exxon Mobil Corp.,
ConocoPhillips, Dell Inc., Lamar
Advertising Co., Sonic Drive-Ins
April 16, 2012
Introducing
This Louisiana firm grew up alongside its clients
Its founders were looking for a less cut-throat environment; they prospered by following clients’ needs.
No.310
Kean Miller
Baton Rouge, La.
Kean Miller’s Leonard Kilgore III, left, and G. Blane Clark Jr.
Inc., Frontier Drilling LLC, Verizon
Communications Inc., Valero Energy
Co., Shell Oil Co. and BP America Inc.
It prides itself on charging
competitive rates and has developed
specialized practice groups to fit the
needs of clients in areas including
maritime law, offshore commercial
oil and gas development, health
care and intellectual property. The
workload comprises about 50 percent
litigation, 25 percent transactional
and 25 percent regulatory work.
There are four offices—two in Baton
Rouge, one in Lake Charles, La., and
one in New Orleans.
The firm was founded in 1983 by
nine lawyers who split from Baton
Rouge firm Sanders, Downing,
Kean and Cazedessus. Among
those who left was partner Leonard
Kilgore III, who said the inspiration
for the group to strike out on its
own was to create a more friendly
culture, in which partners didn’t
fight over clients and where service
reigned supreme. “We are a true
partnership,” Kilgore said. “All of
our financial data is available to all
of our partners.”
That commitment to clients and
transparency has allowed the firm to
grow to 127 full-time equivalencies.
Much of that growth came during
the 1980s, tapering off subsequently
into a steady rate of growth as the
firm takes on additional attorneys
that fit its needs.
Surpassed expectations
“I think we far surpassed our expectations,”
Kilgore said. “Our practice
has followed our clients’ needs, rather
than arbitrarily or artificially stock our
shelves with clients.”
The firm has no immediate plans
to open up shop outside Louisiana,
Kilgore said, but has teamed up
with large national firms on major
litigation. The majority of the firms’
clients are based outside Louisiana
but have specific needs within
the state.
“There are certain legal issues that
require a local or regional ear to the
ground,” Kilgore said.
One of the specialities that is
fairly unique to Louisiana is legacy
litigation, mostly related to orphan
oil and gas wells. As larger energy
companies gobbled up smaller ones,
they inherited litigation related to
contamination and remediation.
Kean Miller has grown its legacylitigation
practice as regulation
from state and federal agencies
has tightened. The firm believes
that this line of work complements
its environmental regulatory and
litigation practices. Another practice
area that has seen considerable
growth relates to the offshore oil
and gas industry.
According to Clark, the firm values
any business that its clients need
done—no matter how great or small.
“We want to represent clients for
however long we exist,” Clark said.
Clark himself started at Kean
Miller in 1984 as an associate,
fresh out of law school. Since
there were only 18 attorneys at
the time, he was expected to share
in the workload and managerial
responsibilities. He served on the
interview committee and later the
management committee. Starting
next year, he’ll take over from Gary
Bezet as managing partner.
“This year is a transition year, so
I’m sort of getting my feet wet,”
Clark said. “We have a great firm,
a great culture and great staff.
If anything, I see it as one of my
biggest opportunities to take our
culture and our people to attract
other lateral candidates.”
source: http://www.keanmiller.com/docs/km_-_nlj_350_-_april_2012.pdfKean Miller Attorneys at Law Profile
With more than 150 attorneys, Kean Miller is one of the largest full-service law firms in Louisiana, and the largest in the Capital Region. We serve the legal needs of the people, businesses, and industries that drive the Bayou State. We have particular dedication to serving Fortune 1000 companies with significant operations in the Gulf South, providing them with legal resources focused on growth. From the courtroom to the boardroom, our people provide creative solutions, unique strategies, and unparalleled value that allow our clients to perform at the highest level.
Industries
Kean Miller serves clients in numerous industries, including maritime, energy, petrochemicals, drilling and exploration, pipelines, technology, telecommunications, media, advertising, film and entertainment, retail, food and beverage, construction, contracting, banking, financial services, shipping and transportation, gaming, education, health care, manufacturing, refining and real estate.
Teams
Kean Miller combines the talents and expertise of our attorneys into multi-disciplinary client and industry teams. These teams are comprised of seasoned attorneys and professionals from a variety of disciplines who are equipped to identify the legal and business needs of the client. Our teams develop superior service strategies to provide unmatched support to the client.
Service Areas
Kean Miller assists clients in a variety of service areas, including business litigation, construction, environmental regulation, permitting, class action defense, banking and finance, admiralty and maritime, products liability, business transactions, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, intellectual property, patent infringement, chemical exposure litigation, toxic tort defense, oil and gas, health law, medical malpractice defense, bankruptcy and reorganization, utilities regulation, labor and employment, state and local tax, legislative and administrative lobbying, estate planning, probate, municipal finance, and insurance coverage and recovery.
Whether we are helping clients defend lawsuits, raise capital, comply with regulatory requirements, enter new markets, obtain or defend intellectual property rights, develop and distribute products and services, or acquire or divest businesses, we understand it is the client’s goals that are paramount.
Dedication
Kean Miller has a particular dedication to working closely with Louisiana-based businesses and Fortune 1000 companies with significant operations in the Bayou State - ensuring that they have the people and resources required to grow into leaders in the region.
Kean Miller’s 32-year history is one of lasting alliances with our clients. Our partnerships are based on value, service, and unique Louisiana know-how. We diligently pursue results that allow our clients to outperform their competitors.
Law Office:
BATON ROUGE, DOWNTOWN400 Convention St #700,
P. O. Box 3513 (70821-3513)Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Telephone: 225.387.0999
Fax: 225.388.9133
source: www.keanmiller.com