Melissa Hemmans is senior counsel in the Baton Rouge office of Kean Miller. She joined the firm in 2000 and practices in the area of litigation. Melissa represents major Louisiana petrochemical and manufacturing clients and local businesses in a wide variety of litigation. She advises clients with regard to litigation strategy management, and she has particular experience in litigation involving toxic tort and environmental claims. Melissa also represents clients in municipal law matters, civil rights defense and oil and gas litigation.
In March 2012, Melissa was appointed interim Hearing Officer by the judges of the Twenty-third Judicial District Court. As Hearing Officer, Melissa presided over all IV-D non-support matters and all protective orders in Ascension, Assumption and St. James Parishes. In addition, she heard all state paternity matters in Ascension Parish.
Melissa is listed in The Best Lawyers in America as a One to Watch from 2021-2025.
Melissa earned her B.A. from Louisiana State University in 1996. She earned her J.D. in 1999 from the LSU Law Center. Melissa served as a Law Clerk to the Hon. Alvin Turner, Jr., Twenty-third Judicial District Court, Parishes of Ascension, Assumption and St. James.
- Admitted, Louisiana, 1999; United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, 2004; United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana, 2004; United States Supreme Court, 2004
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana State and American Bar Associations
- St. Jude the Apostle School Advisory Council, 2010 - present; 2011-2012, Secretary; 2012-2013, Vice President