About Richard D.
Richard D. McConnell began his academic path in the sciences. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University in 2000. He then turned to law and received his J.D. from Tulane University School of Law in 2005. The combination of a hard-science undergraduate degree and a law degree has shaped an analytical approach to his casework.
After law school, McConnell entered private practice and rose to partnership relatively quickly. He became a partner at Kean Miller LLP in 2005. Over the years he has maintained a steady presence in litigation circles across Louisiana and neighboring jurisdictions. His career path has kept him involved in matters that require appearances in both state and federal courts.
McConnell is admitted to practice before several federal forums. He holds admissions to the United States District Courts for the Eastern, Western and Middle Districts of Louisiana, and to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He is also licensed to practice in Louisiana and Texas. Those credentials allow him to handle cases that move between trial courts and appellate review, and to litigate matters that cross state lines.
Professional memberships have been a consistent part of his legal life. He is a member of the Baton Rouge Bar Association, the Louisiana State Bar and the American Bar Association. He also belongs to the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association. That last affiliation places him among peers who regularly deal with energy industry issues and regulatory questions. In practice he has faced disputes that involve complex technical and regulatory facts, a setting where his undergraduate training in biochemistry can prove useful.
Colleagues describe him as steady and methodical in the courtroom, preferring clear argument and careful preparation. He handles a range of litigation matters that require familiarity with federal procedure and appellate standards. McConnell keeps an active docket in Louisiana and often appears in federal district courts and the Fifth Circuit. He practices from Kean Miller LLP and continues to handle litigation and energy-related legal matters in state and federal venues.
