To be most effective in counseling clients – whether it is consulting or litigation – a lawyer needs to learn how the client operates its business. I do this by studying my client’s business as well as its culture. Obviously, it’s my job to get the best result for the client, but in doing so I also do my best to make the corporate counsel’s job – and their life – easier.
Kellen Mathews has a diverse practice, focusing on administrative and regulatory matters, litigation and government contracting. Much of his work directly touches the insurance sector, and he has helped insurance clients in various spaces ranging from claims litigation to regulatory and administrative practice. He has tried multiple cases to verdict, including obtaining a defense verdict in a jury trial in federal court.
In 2024, Kellen was selected by peers as the Best Lawyers "Lawyer of the Year" in Baton Rouge in Administrative/Regulatory Law. Kellen is also ranked in the national publication in the practice areas of Government Relations and Commercial Litigation. He is a former recipient of "Forty Under 40" by Baton Rouge Business Report.
Calling on skills honed in his litigation practice as well as his knowledge of administrative procedure, Kellen also represents clients in regulatory actions, having tried multiple administrative matters before Louisiana’s Division of Administrative Law.
Kellen helps clients navigate highly nuanced government procurement and public bid processes. He assists clients in industries ranging from health care to construction and disaster remediation in applying for, challenging, and defending contract awards. Additionally, Kellen represents vendors in negotiating and obtaining mutually acceptable resolutions of contractual disputes with government agencies.
Kellen interned for the Honorable Terri Love in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans and, following law school, clerked for the Honorable Harry F. Randow in the Ninth Judicial District Court for the Parish of Rapides.
Certifications
- Sustainable Capitalism in Practice - Berkley Law Executive Education, Certification
- Integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies and stakeholder theory considerations into business and investment practices.
“ I take ownership of a client’s issues. I take them home with me, and constantly think of how to achieve the best result for the client. I pride myself on being accessible, and I work until the matter is resolved. ”
Education
Bar Admissions
Court Admissions
Community Involvement
In the community, Kellen is a member of the Board of Directors for the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH), the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. LEH maintains a singular presence throughout Louisiana as the only private nonprofit dedicated to making an impact in the cultural and education sectors in all 64 Louisiana parishes.
Areas of Practice
Acknowledgements
- Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year in Baton Rouge – Administrative/Regulatory Law, 2024
- Louisiana Rising Stars® (by Thomson Reuters) Civil Litigation: Defense 2016-2023
- Louis Berry Award – Louis A. Martinet Legal Society 2016
- Best Lawyers® - Administrative/Regulatory Law, Commercial Litigation, Government Contracts, Labor Law - Management
- Baton Rouge Business Report Forty Under 40- 2018
Professional Affiliations & Memberships
- Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, Board of Directors (2020 - present)
- Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, Board of Directors (2022)
- Louisiana State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Council, At-Large Member (2012-2017)
- Louisiana State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Diversity Committee, Chair (2012-2017)
- International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), Member
- Committee of 100 for Economic Development, Executive Committee Member
- Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC) Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Member
- Urban League of Louisiana, Board of Directors