PROFILE

Kelly has worked with major pharmaceutical clients in mass-tort multidistrict litigation in all phases of the litigation process, including discovery, motion practice, expert workup, and trial preparation. In the context of railroad and transportation litigation, she has defended employee lawsuits arising under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act as well as passenger claims. Kelly has also defended numerous premises liability actions. In handling these matters, Kelly has drafted and argued motions, participated in settlement conferences and mediations, deposed fact witnesses and physicians, facilitated the settlement of cases, and prepared cases for trial.

AREAS OF PRACTICE

• Pharmaceutical & Medical Device
• Products Liability
• Casualty
• Insurance
• Labor & Employment
• Railroad & Transportation
• Premises Liability

Representative Matters / Experience

• Member of trial team in 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, and fact witnesses
• 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
• Louisiana Law Review, Senior Editor

AFFILIATIONS

• Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel
• Association of Defense Trial Attorneys
• Defense Research Institute
• New Orleans Bar Association, Young Lawyer's Section Chair
• Federal Bar Association
• Louisiana State Bar Association
• Young Leadership Council
• LSU Law Chancellor's Council

EDUCATION

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

• Direct-To-Consumer Advertising: Current and Future Landscape
  DRI Rx for the Defense, Volume 27, Issue 1 January 22, 2019
• Lessons Learned: A Young Lawyer’s Perspective on Professionalism in Drug and Device Litigation
  New Orleans Bar Association Procrastinators’ Programs December 11, 2018
• Fundamentals of Comparative Legal Ethics: The United States, Latin America, and Beyond
  New Orleans Bar Association Delegation to Panama October 7, 2017
• Legal Ramifications of Pokemon Go!
  New Orleans Bar Association Procrastinator's Program December 14, 2016
• Product Liability in 3D
  Best Lawyers Business Edition Summer 2016
• Has the FDA Determined That Direct-To-Consumer Advertising Provides Too Much Information?
  DRI RX For the Defense January 30, 2015
• Reevaluating the 401/403 Balance in 21st Century Mass Torts
  For the Defense February 2014
• The Collateral Source Rule and Gratuitous Payments or Services
  David M. Melancon & Kelly E. Brilleaux, DRI For the Defense, November 2012