Jon F. "Chip" Leyens, Jr.

Miles Clements is a recognized trial attorney having tried 100 cases to judgment. He practices at the trial and appellate levels in both state and federal court as well as in specialized jurisdictions throughout the country. His reputation spans from the marine and energy sector to defending the business and commercial needs of privately held and publicly traded companies. Miles is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the highest distinction of trial lawyers in the United States...

Katherine Clark is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation - Bankruptcy. Katherine, who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Katherine is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ashley B. Robinson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law. Ashley B., who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ashley B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Chris Wootten is Director in the Affordable Housing and Community Development practice in the New Orleans Office. His practice focuses on commercial finance, government incentives, public private partnerships and real estate development. Chris commonly represents commercial lenders, SBA licensed Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs), Community Development Entities (CDEs), tax credit investors, non-profit corporations, business owners and developers. Chris has extensive experience closin...

Kent Morrison practices in all areas of marine and energy law, including tort defense, monitoring and insurance coverage analysis. He has handled cases involving cargo disputes, collisions, personal injuries, deaths, collisions, allisions, wake/wave wash, groundings, products liability, property damage, indemnity and insurance coverage disputes, representing maritime employers, vessel owners, longshore employers, energy companies, dock and terminal owners and their underwriters. He also provi...

Harrison Golden focuses his litigation practice on representing clients in complex commercial disputes and regulatory matters. He regularly serves clients in the financial, consumer products, energy, and service industries on matters involving billions of dollars in liability. Harrison has litigated significant matters in the areas of antitrust, financial derivatives, trade secrets, conversion, and regulatory compliance. He has also represented municipalities and financial institutions in som...

Bill Backstrom is a partner and leader of the firm’s Tax Practice Group. For more than 35 years, he has focused on state and local tax matters in Louisiana and on a multistate basis. Bill provides comprehensive, practical, and solution-focused tax guidance to a broad range of business enterprises. Known for the quality of his counsel, his commitment to client service, and his ability to explain sophisticated issues in clear terms — particularly with respect to Louisiana’s hi...

Will Baldwin is co-leader of the firm’s Maritime Industry Group and leader of the firm’s maritime transactional team, where he focuses on maritime transactions and marine finance. Will also serves as co-chair of the firm’s offshore wind initiative. Will advises and represents clients on a wide range of complex marine transactional matters, including financings, ship mortgages, the purchase and sale of marine assets, Jones Act compliance, and governmental approval for maritim...

David Halpern is an attorney with Kean Miller in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he practices in the business, real estate, and commercial litigation groups. He brings more than 30 years of combined legal and business experience to his work with clients on a wide range of corporate, real estate, and land use matters. His practice focuses on Land Use and Zoning Law, including zoning ordinances, land use approvals, and regulatory compliance, as well as mergers and acquisitions and complex busines...

Kevin LaVie practices in the area of admiralty and tort. He has a very broad-based practice involving nearly all aspects of maritime law including personal injury and death claims; cargo damage claims; dock damage and collision claims; Limitation of Liability matters; charter party and related commercial disputes (including ship arrests and Rule B attachments); insurance coverage disputes; oilfield indemnity actions; pollution matters; and various Coast Guard and immigration matters. His prac...