I’m very cordial but also straightforward with clients, which means I don’t sugarcoat conversations and tell people what they want to hear. I tell them the things they need to hear – about judges, juries, opposing lawyers, and of course the evidence, deposition testimony, and other elements of the case. My background in education helps me as a litigator. Because of that training, I’m better able to explain both the overall view and the nuances of a case as well as the strategies I’ve crafted so clients fully understand what they’re up against and what they might expect in the weeks and months to come and so judges and jurors understand the client’s position.
A recipient of numerous honors from prominent national and regional ranking agencies, Kathleen Manning represents clients in a wide range of litigation. She defends personal injury claims involving pharmaceutical products and medical devices, liability claims against attorneys, insurance agents, and other professionals, and claims related to construction contracts and environmental torts.
While Kathleen serves a national client base – including many clients in multidistrict litigation proceedings – her practice focuses on matters in Louisiana and the Southeast. A variety of large and small business entities, educational institutions, school boards, and individuals call on her for help in navigating the many issues that arise in litigation, arbitration, and administrative proceedings.
With a reputation for cultivating strong relationships and a capability in deploying deep and diverse skill sets, Kathleen also litigates cases for claimants in a wide range of industries. Clients benefit from her facility and experience in working “both sides of the v,” which provides her with a big-picture perspective of both the defense and plaintiff viewpoints. This enhances her ability to craft creative and outcome-driven legal strategies.
Admitted to the U.S. Tax Court, Kathleen litigates claims pending there and before the Louisiana State Board of Tax Appeals, as well as tax-related claims pending in Louisiana’s state courts. These cases involve a variety of issues, including the Louisiana corporate income franchise tax, state and local sales taxes, and the federal trust fund penalty.
Kathleen works with clients early on to identify their desired endgame. She helps them focus on what they ultimately want to achieve with the litigation, whether they’re bringing a claim or defending one. She also recognizes that a client’s focus or goal can change, so she stays flexible, enabling her to shift her strategy and approach to match the client’s change of direction.