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Michael K. Powell

5.0
Rating: 7.0

Licensed for 28 years

Personal injury Lawyer at Lake Charles, LA
Practice Areas: Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Admiralty & Maritime, Environmental and Natural Resources

917 7th St., Lake Charles, LA

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2013
See Details

About Michael

Biography

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Personal Injury 50%

My personal injury practice has focused on toxic torts, product liability, premise liability, automobile accidents, and general personal injuries. I have represented corporations in mass tort cases and class actions involving thousands of potential plaintiffs. I have resolved hundreds of cases through mediation, settlement discussions, and trial. I have represented individuals who were injured by the fault of others.

29 years | 5,000 cases

50%
Wrongful Death 30%

I have represented clients in over 150 cases where the claims involved allegations that chronic exposure to chemicals caused cancer or other disease and death. I have also represented clients in acute exposure death claims. I have also handled cases where explosions, fires, electrocution, or other serious accidents were the alleged causes of death.

29 years | 150 cases

30%
Admiralty and Maritime 10%

The cases I have handled in admiralty and maritime law generally involve allegations of exposure to chemicals and disease. I have also represented clients in boating accident cases, claims of acute injuries by seamen, jones act cases, etc.

29 years | 25 cases

10%
Environmental and Natural Resources 10%

I have represented petrochemical clients in cases involving alleged releases to the air and waterways. I have extensive experience in oil spill litigation, oil field remediation matters, and claims that refinery operations released excessive levels of SO2, H2S, and other gasses into the atmosphere.

29 years | 20 cases

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes

Hourly Rates

$ 250-350 per hour

Contingency

25%-30%

Pro bono

5 %

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Louisiana for 28 years

State: Louisiana

Acquired: 1997

Eligible to Practice Law

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2013

Location

Law Offices of Michael K. Powell

917 7th St., Lake Charles, LA, 70601

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Michael K. Powell's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

1 Client Review

Filter Avvo Reviews (1) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Star rating
5 stars 1
4 stars 0
3 stars 0
2 stars 0
1 star 0
Practice Areas
What Clients Mention

Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Car Accidents

Posted by Aaron | June 20, 2014 | Car Accidents

Excellent service

Kevin handled my automobile accident case in 2011. He answered all of my questions through the process. He responded to all of my calls. I was very happy with his service.

See All Client Reviews

Michael K. Powell's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Michael
Judd S Nemiro headshot
Judd Nemiro

Unknown lawyer | Feb 23

Relationship: Other

"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. A brilliant attorney, highly respected in the legal community."

Nathan D McKinney headshot
Nathan McKinney

Personal injury lawyer | Aug 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Powell has great knowledge superior talent and truly cares about his clients."

John M O'Brien headshot
John O'Brien

Admiralty and maritime lawyer | Jul 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community, I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of his clients and getting them the most favorable result possible."

View All Endorsements
Zaheer A Shah headshot
Zaheer Shah

Medical malpractice lawyer

Angela Mary Kinley headshot
Angela Kinley

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  7.0 (Very Good)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2013.

Suspension issued in LA, 2013

updated on 07/11/2014

This means the attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.

Michael’s comment:

“This suspension was a result of chemical dependency issues. There were no client complaints or other practice related complaints. I agreed to the suspension, entered a residential treatment facility for three months, and have remained sober since January of 2012. I also voluntarily contracted with the Lawyer's Assistance Program. In May 2014, the Louisiana Supreme Court held that I proved by clear and convincing evidence that I was ready to return to the full practice of law. http://www.kplaw.us”

Honors

2011

Pro Bono Service Award, Southwest Louisiana Bar Foundation's Pro Bono Project

2011

DRI Today's Attorney Spotlight, Defense Research Institute

1994

LSU Board of Supervisors' Certificate of Excellence, LSU Board of Supervisors

Work Experience

2014 - Present

Attorney, Lee, Futrell & Perles, LLP

2014 - 2014

Attorney, Law Office of Kevin Powell, L.L.C.

2009 - 2013

Attorney, Barrasso Usdin Kupperman Freeman & Sarver

1998 - 2009

Attorney, Swift Spears & Harper (Later Swift & Harper)

1997 - 1998

Judicial Law Clerk, Louisiana Court of Appeal, 3rd Circuit

Associations

1999 - Present

Defense Research Institute

1999 - Present

Defense Research Institute, Toxic Torts and Environmental Law Committee

Program Chair (2003 - 2005)

1998 - Present

Southwest Louisiana Bar Association

Member

1998 - Present

Southwest Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel

Member

1997 - Present

Louisiana State Bar Association

1997 - Present

American Bar Association

Sample of Legal Cases

US v. CITGO

Favorable to defense

Blakely v. CITGO

Dismissed on summary judgment

Quester v. BFG et al.

Case reduced to nuisance settlement value after extensive dispositive motions led to favorable rulings for defense

Roney v. Airco, et al.

Settled

River Oaks v. CITGO

Jury Verdict for Defense

Ross v. Conoco

Settled

Amy v. Conoco et al.

Settlement

See More Legal Cases

Education

1997

Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert Law Center

JD - Juris Doctor

1994

Louisiana State University

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

2005

DRI Toxic Torts & Environmental Law Seminar

Toxic Torts & Environmental Law

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2013
    Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution