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Kelly E. Brilleaux

Partner

504.310.2233

PROFILE

Kelly has worked with major pharmaceutical and medical device clients in in all phases of the litigation process, including discovery, motion practice, expert workup, and trial preparation. Her pharmaceutical and medical device experience is focused on the management of consolidated mass tort actions, particularly in the multidistrict litigation (MDL) context. Kelly has assisted in trying multiple MDL bellwether trials as a member of the trial team. Kelly also has prior experience defending railroad and transportation lawsuits arising under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act; numerous premises liability actions; and product liability claims. In handling these matters, Kelly has drafted and argued motions; participated in settlement conferences and mediations; deposed fact witnesses, expert witnesses, plaintiffs, and physicians; prepared company witnesses for and defended depositions; facilitated the settlement of cases; and prepared cases for trial.

AREAS OF PRACTICE

Representative Matters / Experience

  • Member of trial teams which obtained multiple defense verdicts in multiple MDL bellwether trials, including two remote month-long trials
  • Drafted and submitted briefing to the Louisiana Supreme Court, as well as to Louisiana appellate courts
  • Argued motions in state and federal district courts
  • Taken depositions of doctors, plaintiffs, expert witnesses, and fact witnesses
  • Defended depositions of company witnesses, including deposition preparation
  • Facilitated settlement negotiations and agreements
  • Removal of matters from state court to federal court based on diversity and federal question jurisdiction

Honors

  • Louisiana Super Lawyers, Rising Star (2015-2022)
  • Best Lawyers in America: Product Liability Litigation - Defendants; Insurance Law (2020-2022)
  • Louisiana Law Review (2008-2010)
  • Louisiana Law Review, Senior Editor (Spring 2009-Spring 2010)

AFFILIATIONS

  • Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, Vice Chair, Drug Device and Bio Technology Substantive Law Committee; Admissions Committee
  • Association of Defense Trial Attorneys, We Prefer to Refer Committee, Chair; Social Media Committee, Past Chair (2020-2021)
  • Defense Research Institute, Online Community Chair - Drug and Medical Device Committee
  • New Orleans Bar Foundation, Secretary
  • New Orleans Bar Association, Young Lawyer's Section Past Chair (2019)
  • Irwin Fritchie Marketing and Client Development Committee, Chair
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Louisiana State Bar Association
  • LSU Law Chancellor's Council

EDUCATION

  • J.D., Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center (2010)
  • B.S.,summa cum laude, Louisiana State University (2007)

ADMISSIONS

  • Louisiana state courts
  • United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
  • United States District Court Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Louisiana

Community

  • Irish Channel Neighborhood Association

Publications and Presentations