Kelly Ransom

BIOGRAPHY

Kelly Ransom’s practice is focused on patent litigation, energy and environmental litigation, and other high-stakes, complex litigation at both the trial and appellate levels. Ms. Ransom represents some of the world’s largest technology companies in patent litigation cases in one of the nation’s busiest patent venues, the Western District of Texas, as well as others. She also represents oil and gas companies in cases involving environmental damage claims, gas storage and migration issues, royalty disputes, and mineral lease termination claims, and she has defended clients in dozens of high-stakes “legacy litigation” cases involving claims of coastal land loss and damaged hydrology in wetlands.

Ms. Ransom has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America® in numerous practice areas and honored as a Rising Star in Energy Litigation by Louisiana Super Lawyers. She is the Managing Editor of the Energy Law Advisor, the Institute for Energy Law’s longest running publication, and she was appointed to the Institute’s Executive Committee in 2020. Ms. Ransom is also active in her local community and is on several local non-profit boards. From 2018 to 2022, she was President of the Board of Directors of New Harmony High, a state-chartered public high school in New Orleans, Louisiana that has received national recognition for educating students through the lens of coastal restoration and preservation.

EXPERIENCE AND HIGHLIGHTS

REPRESENTATIVE CASES

  • Enable Mississippi River Transmission LLC v. Linn Energy Holdings, LLC, et al., 3:15-CV-01625 (W.D. La. 2016) (dismissing claims brought under Natural Gas Act).
  • Enable Mississippi River Transmission LLC v. Linn Energy Holdings, LLC, et al., U.S. Bankruptcy Court S.D. Tx., Houston Div. 16-60040 (DRJ), Adversary No. 16-6017 (11/28/18 Order) (granting Motion to Dismiss claims relating to gas storage facility)
  • D&D Cajun Ventures, LLC v. Atlantic Richfield Company, et al., No. 87694, Div. L, 15th JDC, Vermillion Parish, Louisiana (dismissing numerous claims, including Louisiana Mineral Code claims, through pretrial motion practice)
  • ConocoPhillips Company v. Texas Petroleum Investment Company, et al., 113th JDC, Harris County, Texas, No. 2011-46437; Texas Petroleum Investment Company v. Elysium West LLC, 113th JDC, Harris County, Texas, No. 2011-46437-B (defended client in litigation involving indemnity claim arising from settlement of legacy lawsuit)
AFFILIATIONS
  • Managing Editor, The Energy Law Advisor, 2019-Present
  • Center for American and International Law’s Institute for Energy Law
    • Executive Committee, 2019-Present
    • Vice Chair, Communications Committee, 2022-Present
    • Vice Chair, Young Energy Professionals Programs Sub-Committee, 2020-2021
  • New Harmony High, XQ Super School, President of Board of Directors, 2018-2022
  • Krewe of Red Beans, Board of Directors, 2020-Present
  • Louisiana Oil and Gas Association
HONORS
  • Best Lawyers®, New Orleans-Ones to Watch, U.S. News & World Report, 2022-2024
    • Energy Law
    • Environmental Law
    • Oil and Gas Law
  • Louisiana Super Lawyers Rising Star, Thomson Reuters, 2021
    • Energy & Resources Law
  • Leadership in Law Honoree, New Orleans CityBusiness, 2020, 2022, 2023
  • Woman of the Year, New Orleans CityBusiness, 2016, 2020
EDUCATION
  • Cumberland School of Law, J.D., 2007
    • Moot Court National Team Member, 2006-2007
    • Moot Court Executive Board Member, 2006-2007
    • Certificate in Trial Advocacy
    • Scholar in Merit Awards for highest grade in Pre-Trial Practice and Procedure; Wills, Trusts, and Estates; Real Estate Transactions; and Domestic Relations
    • National Order of Barristers Honors Society
    • Dean’s List, 2004-2007
  • Rhodes College, B.A., Political Science, 2003
ADMISSIONS
  • State Bar of Louisiana, 2008
  • State Bar of Texas, 2018
  • State Bar of Alabama, 2007
  • United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas, Houston Division

SPEECHES & PUBLICATIONS
Best Lawyers®, New Orleans-Ones to Watch, U.S. News & World Report, 2022-2023