Rick Yelton

Rick Yelton

New Orleans, LA recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Ones to Watch since 2024
Burns Charest LLP

4 Best Lawyers awards

Burns Charest LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs

Biography

Rick is an accomplished attorney who is committed to achieving justice for his clients. Rick represents plaintiffs in a variety of high-stakes matters against several of the world’s largest companies. He is a tireless advocate who enjoys finding solutions to thorny legal issues and communicating them to courts and opposing counsel. Rick is motivated by the pursuit of the common good and by ensuring that his clients’ voices are heard.

Rick has a varied practice. He has successfully prosecuted a novel class action on behalf of content moderators who review social media content. He currently manages several complex dockets involving both personal injury and property damage. In addition, Rick is a central part of the Burns Charest team representing hospitals in actions against opioid producers and distributors for their role in creating the opioid epidemic. Rick also has experience in insurance coverage and frequently uses that knowledge to help clients in coverage-related matters. Rick has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2020 and 2021.

Before becoming a lawyer, Rick had an entirely different career as a music therapist and vocational specialist. In those roles, he helped vulnerable individuals find stability through his ability to listen, advocate, and help foster growth. Rick uses these skills on a daily basis at Burns Charest. Because of this previous experience, Rick is uniquely attuned to his clients’ interests and singularly focused on achieving them.

Rick lives with his wife and daughter in New Orleans. He enjoys spending time with the family, crawfish boils, music festivals, and cheering on the Saints.

Burns Charest LLP

4 Best Lawyers awards

Burns Charest LLP logo

Overview

  • Loyola University New Orleans, B.A., graduated 2005
  • University of New Orleans, M.S. , graduated 2008
  • Loyola University New Orleans, J.D. (graduated magna cum laude), graduated 2016

  • U.S. Virgin Islands, Virgin Islands Bar Association
  • Texas, State Bar of Texas
  • Louisiana, Louisiana State Bar Association

  • Thomas Moore Inn of Court - Member

  • United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
  • United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
  • United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
  • U.S. Virgin Islands, Virgin Islands Bar Association
  • Texas, State Bar of Texas
  • Louisiana, Louisiana State Bar Association
  • Thomas Moore Inn of Court - Member
  • Loyola University New Orleans, B.A., graduated 2005
  • University of New Orleans, M.S. , graduated 2008
  • Loyola University New Orleans, J.D. (graduated magna cum laude), graduated 2016
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
  • United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
  • United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America 2026 for work in:
  • Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs
Awards:
  • Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, 2024-2026

  • Texas Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, Thompson Reuters, 2020-2025

  • Lawdragon 500 X - The Next Generation, 2023-2025

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