Paige Fussell

504.556.4065

Notable Experience

Kelly helps clients with complex maritime law claims and disputes, often involving large-scale electronic document management and the use of technical experts. Here are several recent representations that illustrate Kelly’s work:

  • We represented a local ship builder in a contractual dispute and prevailed in a 12-day jury trial.
  • Chevron engaged us to represent the company in an on-going contamination claim involving a potential oil/gas leak. We defended litigation brought by another pipe owner in the area, in addition to handling an agency review by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.
  • We represented BP as a plaintiff in a products liability case involving piping systems on platforms in the Gulf. The firm’s team conducted extensive work with experts and on-the-ground investigation.
  • We secured a victory at the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, affirming a summary judgment in favor of a trustee and finding the defendant in breach of his fiduciary duty.
  • We secured a major appellate victory at the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, affirming the judgment of the district court and awarding over $11 million dollars in damages to the clients.

According to Kelly, “My past experience with personal injury claims is an asset that benefits clients in every phase of litigation from investigation, through deposing experts and beyond whether it’s maritime, trucking or any other kind of major accident or loss.”

Involvement

Professional

  • Federal Bar Association – Admiralty Law Section Chair, 2015-2017; New Orleans Chapter President, 2016-2017; Younger Lawyers Division, Chair; Law Student Division Task Force Co-Chair; Section and Division Council; Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Competition Co-Director; The Federal Lawyer Editorial Board; General Counsel to Board of Directors, 2023-2024
  • New Orleans, Louisiana State, and American Bar Association, Member
  • Louisiana Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • American Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel
  • Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute
  • Women's Energy Network, Member
  • Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association, Member

Recognition

  • Best Lawyers in America, Admiralty and Maritime Law, Product Liability Litigation, 2019-2026
  • New Orleans CityBusiness Leadership in Law, Class of 2017
  • Louisiana Super Lawyers, 2018-2025
  • New Orleans Magazine, Top Lawyers, 2016, 2018-2019
  • Federal Bar Association President’s Award, 2015
  • Federal Bar Association Division Chair Award, 2013

 

Credentials

Education

  • Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert Law Center (J.D., 2000)
    • Order of the Coif
    • Louisiana Law Review, Senior Editor and Member, 1999-2000
  • Louisiana State University (B.A., summa cum laude with honors, 1997)

Bar Admissions

  • Louisiana, 2000
  • Texas, 2025

Languages

  • Latin

Clerkships

  • Law Clerk to the Honorable James L. Dennis, Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, from 2000–2001

Presentations

  • "Discussion on Task Force Changes/Implementation," Federal Bar Association Leadership Summit, March 28, 2025, Arlington, Virginia
  • "The Basics - Indemnity and Insurance," Liskow Maritime Seminar, October 15, 2024, Houston, Texas
  • "Working as in-house Counsel: All You Need to Know," Federal Bar Association, February 9, New Orleans, Louisiana
  • "The Basics – Indemnity and Insurance," Liskow Maritime Seminar, October 26, 2022, Houston, Texas
  • "Programming Best Practices," Federal Bar Association's 2021 Virtual Leadership Summit, May 19, 2021
  • Kelly was a co-founder of the Admiralty Law Section of the Federal Bar Association and was elected to serve as chair, 2015-2017. She has presented on topics such as developments in maritime personal injury law and punitive damages.
  • Kelly has also presented on contractual indemnity and insurance issues, negotiations of oilfield contracts, and ethical issues in personal injury cases.

Publications

After Hours

Aside from a weakness for Swedish and Norwegian crime fiction, Kelly spends her spare time with family. You might, for example, find her on the sidelines watching her sons play soccer or football…or with her family at Disney World's Polynesian Village.

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