Portrait of Kelly E. Theard

Kelly E. Theard

Managing Partner

Portrait of Kelly E. Theard
  • Overview
  • Insights
  • Experience
  • Events
  • News
ktheard@deutschkerrigan.com
New Orleans, LA — 504 593 0667
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Kelly Theard is the firm’s Managing Partner and Head of the Construction Practice Group.  Her practice focuses on representing clients in the construction and hospitality industry.  Over the course of her career, she has successfully represented contractors, architects, engineers, suppliers, and a wide range of other clients in construction related litigation, arbitrations, and pre-claim project disputes.  She also has experience in contract negotiations and drafting of construction contracts for a variety of private, public, and federal projects.

While Kelly’s practice is primarily focused on construction and professional liability matters, she also has extensive experience handling general liability matters for local restaurants and retail businesses.  Her general liability clients have included well-known regional restaurant chains with Louisiana and Mississippi locations, the nation’s largest broad-line closeout retainer and one of the largest food retailers in America. She has additional litigation experience in the areas of products liability, transportation, and commercial dispute resolution. 

Kelly has been recognized by various local and national organizations including CityBusiness, Best Lawyers in America, and Chambers USA, to name a few, for her accomplishments in the field of construction litigation and contributions within the community. She regularly lectures on construction and other legal issues to clients, industry groups and associations.  She has served on the board for the LADC and New Orleans Federal Bar Association.  She has been actively involved in the community through various non-profit organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, Louisiana Children’s Museum, Hogs for the Cause, Junior League of New Orleans, and Henry Aucoin Foundation.

A New Orleans native, Kelly attended St. Mary’s Dominican High School and worked in television before attending law school at Louisiana State University.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, party planning and traveling with her husband.

    • Louisiana State University (J.D., 2004)
    • Louisiana State University (B.C.L., 2004)
    • University of New Orleans (B.A., 2000)
      • (Communications)
    • Louisiana State University (J.D., 2004)
    • Louisiana State University (B.C.L., 2004)
    • University of New Orleans (B.A., 2000)
      • (Communications)
    • Louisiana
    • Louisiana

  • American Bar Association

    Associated Builders & Contractors
    Safety and Management Education Committee
    Programs Committee Past Chair

    Association of Women Attorneys

    Claims Litigation Management
    Architect & Engineers/Misc. Professional Liability Committee

    Federal Bar Association
    New Orleans Chapter, Board Member

    International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)

    Louisiana Defense Counsel
    Board of Directors

    Louisiana State Bar Association

    New Orleans Bar Association

    National Retail and Restaurant Defense Association

    American Bar Association

    Associated Builders & Contractors
    Safety and Management Education Committee
    Programs Committee Past Chair

    Association of Women Attorneys

    Claims Litigation Management
    Architect & Engineers/Misc. Professional Liability Committee

    Federal Bar Association
    New Orleans Chapter, Board Member

    International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)

    Louisiana Defense Counsel
    Board of Directors

    Louisiana State Bar Association

    New Orleans Bar Association

    National Retail and Restaurant Defense Association

    • Best Lawyers in America® Construction Law "Lawyer of the Year," New Orleans, LA, 2018, 2022

    • Chambers USA, Recognized Practitioner, Construction

    • "The Best Lawyers in America" List, 2015-present

    • Louisiana Super Lawyers, 2016-present

    • AV Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™

    • BIZ New Orleans "New Orleans 500", 2021 - present

    • CityBusiness “Women of the Year,” 2020, 2019, 2015

    • New Orleans Magazine "Top Lawyers" List, 2015-2025

    • New Orleans Magazine "Top Women in Law", 2025

    • Inside New Orleans Readers’ Favorite Elite Lawyer, 2021

    • Lawyer Monthly Magazine "Women In Law Awards" 2019, in recognition of outstanding legal expertise and contributions

    • CityBusiness "Leadership in Law" Award: Top 50 Lawyers in New Orleans, 2014

    • Thomson Reuters “Louisiana Rising Stars” List, 2013-2015

    • Best Lawyers in America® Construction Law "Lawyer of the Year," New Orleans, LA, 2018, 2022

    • Chambers USA, Recognized Practitioner, Construction

    • "The Best Lawyers in America" List, 2015-present

    • Louisiana Super Lawyers, 2016-present

    • AV Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™

    • BIZ New Orleans "New Orleans 500", 2021 - present

    • CityBusiness “Women of the Year,” 2020, 2019, 2015

    • New Orleans Magazine "Top Lawyers" List, 2015-2025

    • New Orleans Magazine "Top Women in Law", 2025

    • Inside New Orleans Readers’ Favorite Elite Lawyer, 2021

    • Lawyer Monthly Magazine "Women In Law Awards" 2019, in recognition of outstanding legal expertise and contributions

    • CityBusiness "Leadership in Law" Award: Top 50 Lawyers in New Orleans, 2014

    • Thomson Reuters “Louisiana Rising Stars” List, 2013-2015

  • NEW ORLEANS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

    Past Board Member

    LOUISIANA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM, PAST BOARD MEMBER 

    HOGS FOR THE CAUSE, PIGGY STARDUST FOUNDING MEMBER 

    CARROLLTON PLAYGROUND

    Past U-8 Girls Volunteer Soccer Coach

    THE COMMITTEE FOR A BETTER NEW ORLEANS

    51st Bryan Bell Metropolitan Leadership Forum, Certificate

    JUNIOR LEAGUE OF NEW ORLEANS

    Sustainer

    LAFAYETTE ACADEMY SCHOOL

    Volunteer Tutor through Junior League (2013-2017)

    HENRY AUCOIN FOUNDATION

    Secretary and Board Member 

    2015 WORLD'S FAIR

    Country Co-Chair, Louisiana Children's Museum

    NEW ORLEANS HISPANIC AND HERITAGE FOUNDATION

    Azucar Ball Committee (2014 & 2015)

    Co-Chair Azucar Ball (2013)

    NEW ORLEANS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

    Past Board Member

    LOUISIANA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM, PAST BOARD MEMBER 

    HOGS FOR THE CAUSE, PIGGY STARDUST FOUNDING MEMBER 

    CARROLLTON PLAYGROUND

    Past U-8 Girls Volunteer Soccer Coach

    THE COMMITTEE FOR A BETTER NEW ORLEANS

    51st Bryan Bell Metropolitan Leadership Forum, Certificate

    JUNIOR LEAGUE OF NEW ORLEANS

    Sustainer

    LAFAYETTE ACADEMY SCHOOL

    Volunteer Tutor through Junior League (2013-2017)

    HENRY AUCOIN FOUNDATION

    Secretary and Board Member 

    2015 WORLD'S FAIR

    Country Co-Chair, Louisiana Children's Museum

    NEW ORLEANS HISPANIC AND HERITAGE FOUNDATION

    Azucar Ball Committee (2014 & 2015)

    Co-Chair Azucar Ball (2013)

Firm Highlights

  • News

    Karina Shareen Named 2026 Top Young Lawyer by Louisiana State Bar Association

  • Experience

    Summary Judgment Granted Following Successful Challenge to Plaintiff’s Expert

    Doug Vaughn and Peyton Farve obtained a dismissal of a wrongful death product liability lawsuit against an assembly line manufacturer by successfully moving to exclude the plaintiff's expert who had a perfect track record before this case and thereafter obtaining summary judgment on all claims brought by the family of a worker who died after reaching into moving machinery. The case had been pending in federal court in North Mississippi.
  • News

    Deutsch Kerrigan celebrates 100 years of legal leadership across Louisiana and the Gulf Coast

  • Experience

    Burnell Joseph v. Atalco Gramercy, LLC et al., No. 3:23-cv-505, United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana

    Bob Kerrigan and Jose Ruiz successfully secured summary judgment dismissal for their client, Velan, Inc., in a complex intentional tort and products liability act involving catastrophic injury. The plaintiff, a precipitation batch tank operator working at the Atalco alumina refinery in Gramercy, Louisiana, suffered severe and debilitating chemical burn injuries to his face, eyes, and body when he was sprayed with caustic liquor while working underneath a tank at the refinery. He claimed that the valve that controlled the flow of liquor into the tank was leaking, which allowed the tank to become filled with liquor after it had been previously verified as empty. He filed suit against Velan, Inc., the manufacturer of the valve that controlled the flow of liquor into the tank, alleging that the valve was unreasonable dangerous in accordance with the Louisiana Products Liability Act. He also filed an intentional tort claim against his employer, Atalco Gramercy, LLC, alleging that Atalco knew the valve was leaking and continued to force employees to work underneath the tank. He claimed that under these conditions, an incident such as his was substantially certain to occur. Following the close of discovery, Velan moved for summary judgment dismissal of the plaintiff’s claims was appropriate because: (1) the plaintiff’s injuries were a result of Atalco’s misuse of the valve; (2) the plaintiff lacked the expert testimony needed to prove his theory of liability under the Louisiana Product’s Liability Act; (3) the Velan valve at issue was not unreasonably dangerous as defined by the Louisiana Products Liability Act; and (4) the plaintiff was unable to prove proximate causation needed to establish his case of liability against Velan. The Hon. Brian Jackson found that under the undisputed facts presented by Velan, summary judgment was appropriate and dismissed the plaintiff’s claims against it, with prejudice.
  • Insight

    New Tech Changing Consent Laws?

  • Insight

    Navigating Louisiana’s New Litigation Landscape: Critical Updates for Insurance Companies

  • News

    Deutsch Kerrigan Recognized in 2026 Chambers USA Rankings

    Deutsch Kerrigan is proud to announce that five of our attorneys and two of our practice areas have been recognized in the 2026 edition of Chambers USA, one of the most prestigious and trusted legal directories in the country. Ranked Practice Areas • Louisiana – Construction (Band 1) • Louisiana – Insurance (Band 2) Ranked Attorneys • Kelly Theard – Construction (Louisiana), Band 1  • Keith Bergeron – Construction (Louisiana), Band 2 • Brian Schaps – Construction (Louisiana), Band 3  • Terrence Brennan – Construction (Louisiana), Senior Statespeople • Frederic Theodore “Ted” Le Clercq – Labor & Employment (Louisiana), Band 4  Chambers USA is widely considered the leading resource for identifying top legal talent. Its rankings are the result of extensive independent research and interviews with clients and legal peers, assessing factors such as legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness, and commitment. We are honored to be recognized among the top in our field and remain committed to delivering the high-quality service our clients expect and deserve.
  • Insight

    No Mercy for Employers in Louisiana Supreme Court’s Recent Magill Decision

    In its recent per curiam opinion, Magill v. Werner Enterprises, Inc. of Nebraska[1], the Louisiana Supreme Court has foreclosed a routine defense strategy to shield employers from direct negligence claims. The high court has extended their 2022 decision in Martin v. Thomas[2], and now allows plaintiffs to pursue direct negligence claims against an employer despite the employer’s stipulation that its employee was in the course-and-scope of employment and caused the accident. Essentially, employers who fail to implement better employment practices will permit plaintiffs to ramp up potential exposure with evidence, if such exists, that heretofore they were routinely barred from introducing at trial. The Supreme Court’s Magill holding should encourage employers to update where needed their policies and procedures pertaining to hiring, training, supervising, and entrusting duties and property to employees, not only for the safety of their employees and customers in this state, but also eliminate employer’s exposure to direct negligence claims. Prior to Martin, a litigation strategy had taken shape where employers stipulated to 1) an employee being in course-and-scope of employment at the time of the accident, 2) that the employee was at fault for the accident being caused, or 3) both. By stipulating these facts, employers were largely able to exclude evidence of any direct negligence on part of the employer and/or narrow the scope of trial to only a contest of the plaintiff’s injuries. The Supreme Court in Martin held that despite an employer admitting their employee was in course and scope when the accident occurred, plaintiffs could pursue direct negligence claims against the employer—as the issue of liability had not been admitted. Accordingly, employers found success by admitting both course and scope and liability—as seen in the Western District of Louisiana’s holding in Ferguson v. Swift Transp. Co. of Arizona[3]. In Ferguson, the defendants stipulated that their employee was acting in course-and-scope at the time of the accident and their employee was 100% at fault for the accident being caused. Due to the employer’s stipulation of fault, Judge Wicks of the Western District of Louisiana held that Martin did not apply and that plaintiffs could not pursue direct negligence claims. In Magill, the Louisiana Supreme Court provided scarce reasoning for their decision. The high court simply affirmed the District Court’s expansion of the holding in Martin and that the employer’s reliance on the Western District’s Ferguson holding was a misapplication of Louisiana law. The Supreme Court also cited the decision in Tardo v. Farrell.[4] where the Fifth Circuit held that even if an employer and employee stipulate to course and scope and fault, those admissions do not eliminate direct-negligence claims because those claims remain separate issues for the trier of fact. The Fifth Circuit notably stated, “the societal decisions as to who actually pays does not change the manner of assessing fault to all parties as required by law.” This statement raises concern, as plaintiffs may now attempt to challenge employer stipulations that historically narrowed trials. The Supreme Court did not explain its reliance on Tardo, so future litigation will likely clarify the decision’s full impact. Under Magill, plaintiffs are permitted to pursue direct negligence claims against the employer despite the employer admitting that their employee was acting in course and scope at the time of the accident and their employee was 100% at fault for the accident being caused. The full effect of the Supreme Court’s decision remains to be seen. In praxis, Magill will permit plaintiffs to put on evidence of direct negligence by an employer in front of a jury who cannot assign fault—as fault has already been stipulated to by the defendants. Employers now face the practical risk that plaintiffs will encourage juries to increase damages as a form of punishment against an employer that admits fault but contests the nature and extent of the plaintiff’s injuries. Employers should use this moment to rigorously review and strengthen policies and procedures related to hiring and training in order to limit exposure when plaintiffs assert direct-negligence claims.  [1] Magill v. Werner Enterprises, Inc. of Nebraska, 2025-00892 (La. 11/12/25) [2] Martin v. Thomas, 21-01490 (La. 6/29/22), 346 So.3d 238 [3] Ferguson v. Swift Transp. Co. of Arizona, 17-1570, 2023 WL 173413 (W.D. La. Jan. 12, 2023) [4] Tardo v. Ferrell, 25-123 (La. App. 5 Cir. 5/28/25), 2025 WL 1516837 (unpublished).
  • Insight

    The Betterment Doctrine and Property Damage Claims

  • Experience

    Successfully Defended Restaurant Operator and Food Distributor Against $50 Million Product Liability Claim

    Anne Medo successfully obtained summary judgment on behalf of a restaurant operator and food distributor in a high-stakes product liability matter involving allegations that contaminated chicken nuggets caused a customer to develop severe medical complications. The plaintiff alleged that consumption of chicken nuggets purchased from a national food chain and distributed by Deutsch Kerrigan’s clients resulted in E. coli and Shigella infections, which he claimed led to significant cardiac issues and a stroke. The plaintiff sought $50 million in damages. Prior to trial, Anne moved for summary judgment, arguing that the plaintiff could not establish the required causal connection between the alleged foodborne illness and his subsequent health conditions. Specifically, the defense highlighted the absence of expert testimony necessary to support the plaintiff’s causation theories. In support of the motion, Anne presented testimony from an infectious disease expert and a cardiologist who opined that the alleged connection between the chicken nuggets and the plaintiff’s severe medical complications could not be established. The court agreed that the plaintiff lacked sufficient evidence to prove causation and granted defendants’ motion for summary judgment, dismissing all claims prior to trial.