Our Attorneys

Kent B. Ryan

Bar Admissions: Louisiana, United States Supreme Court, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western District of Louisiana

Education:

B.A., Tulane University, 1984
Juris Doctor, cum laude, Tulane University, 1987

Mr. Ryan is a native of New Orleans. He joined The Miller Law Firm in 2011. Prior to joining the firm, he was a partner in the law firm of Lemle & Kelleher, where he had practiced law since 1987. Mr. Ryan is an experienced litigator, having conducted hundreds of trials and evidentiary hearings during his career. He has handled cases in federal and state courts located in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas.

His practice involves:

• Litigating a variety of admiralty and maritime matters including: personal injury, death, Longshore and Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act claims, collision/property damage, cargo, marine construction, insurance coverage and related issues from their inception through trial and appellate practice.

• Negotiating vessel sales and charter agreements, and drafting of related documents; prosecuting and defending contractual claims, particularly those involving indemnity issues between marine contractors and in the context of the oil and gas industry.

• Prosecuting and defending maritime lien and state law lien and privilege claims including the seizure and/or attachment of property and vessels to enforce maritime liens, materialman liens and state law privileges associated with vessel construction and services and materials provided to vessels; and

• Defending Occupational Safety and Health Administrative and Coast Guard agency investigations of personal injuries and death; defending citations issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration before administrative law judge and Occupational Safety and Health Commission.

Mr. Ryan has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America® in the area of maritime law and Louisiana Super Lawyers® for transportation/maritime, energy & natural resources, and insurance coverage issues. His peers have selected him to be awarded an AV® Peer Review Rating in Martindale-Hubbell.

Mr. Ryan and his wife, Lori, have three sons.

Professional Associations:

• American Bar Association
• Louisiana State Bar Association
• Federal Bar Association, New Orleans Chapter, Board of Directors, (1998-2004), (2006-2008)
• Maritime Law Association of the United States
• Tulane Maritime Law Center Committee
• Stuart Hall School Board of Trustees, 2008-2014

• Speeches:

“The Medical Care and Obligation of the Employer to the Crew in the Normal, Usual or Emergency Medical Situation” Panel Member, 28th Annual River and Marine Industry Seminar, April 28-30, 2010, New Orleans, Louisiana.

“The Ebb and Flow of Maritime LA” OMSA Legal Forum, November 19, 2009, New Orleans, Louisiana