Bradley Murchison Kelly & Shea LLC is pleased to announce that the firm has expanded its operations by opening an office and adding client services in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Jerry N. Jones will move from the firm’s Shreveport office to Baton Rouge to lead the expansion. In addition, Emory A. Belton, Jr., the principal of Belton Consulting, LLC and Belton Law Firm, LLC, will join the firm as special counsel bringing his regulatory experience and introducing a lobbying practice as an additional service for the firm’s clients.
The firm’s expansion into Baton Rouge results from increasing client needs in the state’s capital over the past few years. The New Orleans office’s diverse litigation practice extends to Baton Rouge, which will now be enhanced with the new office. Also, the firm’s widely-recognized energy, environmental and regulatory practices will benefit from the capital city presence as proximity to state government regulators will advance the firm’s goal to provide its clients efficient, cost-effective service.
“We are excited about the opportunity to open the Baton Rouge office of the firm and continue to serve our clients in that market,” said Jerry Jones, Baton Rouge office partner. “I already enjoy many great relationships in the Baton Rouge area with the prospect of building more. Establishing a presence in Baton Rouge is a natural evolution for our firm. We understand the governmental process. We understand the state’s regulatory environment. By living and working in Baton Rouge, we believe our clients’ will receive even more responsive, cost-effective service. This location also provides a needed operational center for the firm’s New Orleans and Shreveport attorneys with client business in Baton Rouge.”
“As a strategic decision, this move makes good sense for the firm. We have closely monitored our existing client activity and demand throughout the state, and in particular in the capital city,” said Kay Medlin, Bradley Murchison Managing Partner. “The state of Louisiana is conducive to business and our clients have responded to the favorable business climate here. With trends indicating business expansion will continue, we believe a significant presence in Baton Rouge enhances our clients’ opportunities to be a part of the exciting growth expected in that region of the state.”
Jerry Jones, a founding member of Bradley Murchison, has been practicing for almost 30 years. He assists both private and public entity clients with local and state governmental regulation and environmental litigation, including significant enforcement actions before the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality related to air, water, solid waste and hazardous waste. His practice also extends to zoning and land use matters, utility and municipal franchise agreements, public works, contract negotiations, environmental permitting, and business litigation. Jerry currently serves as the Chairman of the Louisiana Board of Commerce and Industry and is a past President and Member of the Board of Directors of the Louisiana City Attorneys’ Association.
Emory Belton brings more than 20 years of experience to the firm, including sophisticated electric & gas utility issues, oil, gas, and pipeline related issues, governmental & political affairs, commercial & industrial transactions, and real estate. He has experience in state and federal regulatory matters representing electric and gas utilities, from generation to distribution. Emory’s experience includes 10 years at Entergy Corporation as Senior Regulatory Counsel and Senior Executive of Governmental Affairs. Prior to joining Entergy, Emory was an Assistant Attorney General with the Louisiana Department of Justice for 10 years, serving as General Counsel for the Louisiana State Mineral Board for 6 years.
The firm’s new office will be located in One American Place, 301 Main Street, Suite 2100, Baton Rouge, LA 70825.
