Kenneth Klemm

Represented an energy corporation in a suit for the recovery of more than $20 million in damages resulting from defective coiled tubing and check valves in equipment supplied and manufactured by other entities, after the client incurred significant expense in remedial operations and lost profits due to production delays arising from the equipment's malfunction.

Defended an energy corporation in a suit for the recovery of more than $15 million in damages and expenses resulting from a natural gas well blowout, involving claims for negligence, breach of warranty and products liability arising from a defective gate valve and casing.

Obtained a favorable ruling on behalf of an energy corporation from the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Second Circuit, affirming the state court's holding that depth limitation language in a $260 million mineral purchase agreement was unambiguous and that the corporation was the rightful owner of the oil, gas and minerals at issue, with the case demanding a detailed analysis of contract law, as well as an understanding of the complexities of geologic formations and correlative oil and gas well markers.

Successfully defended against claims for brain-related and other personal injury damages arising from a motor carrier accident.

Successfully defended a natural gas pipeline company in a legacy lawsuit alleging millions of dollars in contamination to property located in south Louisiana, with the defendant arguing that none of the constituents alleged to have contaminated the property could have originated from the defendant's operations. The court dismissed the company from the suit in one of the first instances in which recent amendments to a governing statute were used to successfully dismiss a party.

Litigated and then negotiated a favorable settlement for an oilfield equipment manufacturer in a suit alleging more than $30 million in damages to an offshore oil and gas well resulting from the premature activation of a piece of equipment. The settlement included a significantly discounted payment to resolve all claims.

Defended a national insurer in multimillion dollar property damage claims resulting from hurricanes in Florida and Louisiana.

Defended one of the largest natural gas producers in the United States in a blowout case against claims of gross negligence to preclude enforcement of limitation of liability, indemnity and allocation of risk provisions in a Master Service Agreement, with the court awarding nearly $10 million in damages, including prejudgment interest, to the client.

Obtained a $2 million judgment for a natural gas transportation company in a case involving an explosion at oil and gas terminal facilities during construction.

Received a favorable settlement on behalf of an oil and gas producer in claims resulting from the capsizing of a lift boat, with the settlement including the payment of attorneys' fees and costs for defense and indemnity claims.

Represented an international metals trading firm in a maritime seizure action, obtaining an expeditious release of cargo and an award of attorneys' fees and costs against the party seizing the property.

Defended a major chemical company against a significant environmental enforcement action by the U.S. government and groundwater contamination claims by local residents. After several days of trial, the client concluded a favorable settlement with U.S. government.

Achieved a favorable settlement for a liquor distributor in an unfair trade practices and infringement of trade dress case.

Successfully defended a manufacturer at trial in a products liability suit arising from the malfunction of a vessel engine.

Defended an independent oil and natural gas producer in a well blowout case in a Natural Resources Damage Assessment (NRDA), and against claims under the Oil Pollution Act (OPA) and for gross negligence, ultimately resulting in favorable resolutions of the NRDA, a civil penalty claim by the U.S. Coast Guard under the OPA and claims against the producer's well contractors.