Louisiana in General

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On June 1, 2007, the Louisiana Legislature unanimously passed the state’s first comprehensive master plan for coastal restoration and hurricane protection. In response, the governor has asked the legislature to commit $200 million of the state’s surplus to the coastal fund and allow for the securitization of the tobacco settlement funds, of which 20% is constitutionally dedicated to the coastal fund. The new master plan is entitled, “Integrated Ecosystem Restoration and Hurricane Protection: Louisiana’s Comprehensive Plan for a Sustainable Coast.”
Continue Reading Legislature Adopts Master Plan for Coastal Restoration and Hurricane Protection

Many companies in Louisiana may be aware of the beneficial tax exclusion authorized in La. R.S. 47:301 and LAC 61:I.4302 for pollution reduction projects. What they may not be aware of, however, is the broader scope of Louisiana’s program than most other states. Unlike other states, Louisiana’s exclusion applies to both pollution control devices and pollution control systems. Thus, the Louisiana legislature intended to apply the program to more than simply “end of the pipe” control technology. This more expansive scope may make certain projects in Louisiana more attractive for multi-state companies competing for the same project dollars.
Continue Reading Untapped Benefits of Louisiana’s Pollution Tax Exclusion

A case now pending in federal court in New Orleans may have an important impact on potential claims against the federal government for coastal land loss in Louisiana.

Judge Duval has set the claims of numerous plaintiffs against the Army Corps of Engineers for trial beginning September 8, 2008. Plaintiffs contend the Corps contributed to flooding of their property in St. Bernard Parish and New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.Continue Reading Claims Against Corps of Engineers Set For Trial

Many C-Level executives and small business owners have heard of the Gulf Opportunity Zone (the GO Zone Act) and know that it does something for Louisiana businesses, but they do not know if or how the new law can help them and their employees. Kean Miller has prepared a comprehensive summary of the GO Zone Act and its sister law, the Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005 (“KETRA”). This summary describes the key legislative provisions and explains how Louisiana-area businesses, both large and small, can maximize the GO Zone benefits available to them.
Continue Reading What is the Gulf Opportunity Zone?

The Louisiana Medicaid Program has notified health care providers that they may be able to receive reimbursement for medical treatment provided to uninsured evacuees of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. To be reimbursed, the provider must have been enrolled in Medicaid as of August 24, 2005.
Continue Reading Medicaid Payment For Uncompensated Care Provided to Hurricane Evacuees

On March 22, Kean Miller, Regions Bank, Latter & Blum, Morgan Keegan, Laporte Sehrt Romig Hand CPAs, New Orleans CityBusiness magazine, and the Algiers Economic Development Foundation will present an important Gulf Opportunity Zone Workshop. Instead of a recitation of the existing GOZone legislation, the workshop will feature an overview of the effect that the legislation will have on Louisiana’s immediate economic future presented by noted economist Dr. Loren C. Scott. After Dr. Scott’s presentation, the sponsors will present three interactive case studies designed to teach businesses how to take advantage of this unique situation.

Online Invitation: http://www.latterblum.com/gozone/gozoneinvite.html

Registration form: http://www.latterblum.com/gozone

March 22, 2006
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
PanAmerican Life Center
New Orleans, Louisiana

Admission is free of charge.
Continue Reading Gulf Opportunity Zone Workshop

At a time when everyone in Louisiana appears to be focusing on the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana Lyman Thornton assured Kean Miller in a January 25th interview that his office is continuing to focus on health care fraud violations. During the interview with Thornton, he stated that health care fraud has been and will continue to be a priority of his office.
Continue Reading Health Care Fraud Remains a Focus for U.S. Attorney in the Wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

Kean Miller is pleased to announce that 12 lawyers, formerly in the Admiralty & Maritime, Construction, and Energy practice areas with Lemle & Kelleher, have joined the firm in the New Orleans office.

“We are very excited to welcome these distinguished attorneys to our law firm. They are an outstanding resource for our clients. Our offices are located in Louisiana’s major port cities — New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lake Charles — and this esteemed group brings over 150 years of combined experience in maritime issues, admiralty law, marine insurance, oil & gas, drilling and exploration, pipelines, construction, and energy law to our clients.” said Gary A. Bezet, managing partner of the 121-lawyer firm.
Continue Reading Kean Miller Adds 12 Attorneys in Admiralty & Maritime, Construction, and Energy Practice Groups – New Orleans Office Triples in Size

A recent Third Circuit decision joined the long and growing list of cases supporting the Single Business Enterprise Theory exception to the long standing principle that corporations are separate and distinct legal entities apart from their shareholders and affiliated companies.
Continue Reading One More Nail in the Coffin – The Single Business Enterprise Theory Rides Again