How Can I Help You Move Forward?

My practice revolves entirely around creating value for my clients and ensuring that they’re in the best possible position to protect their interests or pursue lucrative opportunities. As a lawyer, I’m guided by the principle that I'm going to spend my clients’ money and make decisions the same way I would if I were them. To me, legal issues are business issues, and my acumen in both arenas enhances my ability to help those I represent forge the best strategic path forward.

Overview

The recipient of numerous awards from prominent ranking agencies, Benjamin W. Kadden guides energy-industry companies and other organizations through major transitions, including restructurings and mergers and acquisitions. A leader in the fields of corporate bankruptcy and commercial law, Ben also serves as the managing partner of the firm, providing client-centric guidance and vision. Always placing a premium on professionalism, ethical behavior and honesty, he candidly tells clients whether he believes their preferred course of action will likely result in a good or a poor return on their investment in his legal services.  

Ben’s client base primarily comprises companies that are either based in or have substantial presences in the Gulf Coast states—Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. With deep experience in and knowledge about the bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, corporate and commercial law, and asset-based finance areas, Ben advises clients in a wide range of industries, including oil and gas companies and those adjacent to the industry, including exploration, production, service and pipeline businesses. In addition, he counsels organizations in the maritime and tourism arenas, among others.  

Although based in New Orleans, Ben also spends a lot of his time in Lugenbuhl’s Houston office, handling the large amount of bankruptcy work arising out of that jurisdiction. Ben also advises on transactions involving numerous Gulf Coast businesses, with a focus upon representation of non-public buyers and sellers in equity and asset sales. Because of his experience in complex Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, he brings to his practice direct experience and knowledge regarding the purchase or sale of assets by distressed companies, including navigating the process while a buyer or seller is in bankruptcy. He likes nothing better than guiding an organization through a rough patch and helping them save its business and its employees’ jobs.   

In delivering highly regarded client service, Ben draws on a dynamic combination of intelligence, insight, people skills, political savviness and tactical talents and describes himself as “a three-dimensional chess player.” His ability to see several steps ahead is particularly crucial in Chapter 11 matters, which often entail several parties, many moving parts, and a constant need to reassess who is an ally and who is not.   

Bankruptcy/Restructuring Client – Chambers

Outside the Office

Ben loves spending time with his wife and three kids. When he was a kid he was a hockey player on many travel teams, and he is paying it forward to his own children. His son plays on three baseball teams, one daughter plays two softball teams, and his other daughter is a competitive dancer. So when Ben is not practicing law or managing the firm, he is running around taking kids from one place to the next—and enjoying every second of it. 

Education

  • Tulane University School of Law, J.D., 2005
  • Louisiana State University, BA, 2002

Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • Louisiana
  • Texas, 2021

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the First and Fifth Circuits of Texas
  • U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana
  • U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Western and Southern Districts of Texas

Professional

  • Louisiana State Bar Association – Bankruptcy Section Chair (2000-present)
  • Texas Bar Association (2012-present)
  • Turnaround Management Association (2005-2008)
  • Judge Jerry A. Brown Louisiana Bankruptcy American Inn of Court (2012)

Community

  • Founding Board Member, Bastion Community of Resilience 

  • Best Lawyers (2019-2024)
  • Super Lawyers (2014-2019, 2021-2024)
  • Chambers USA Guide (2017-2023)
  • New Orleans CityBusiness Magazine’s “Power 50 Most Influential People” in the Greater New Orleans Area (2023)
  • New Orleans Magazine’s “Top Lawyers” (2014-2023)
  • Inside New Orleans Reader’s Favorite “Elite Lawyers” (2021-2023)
  • LSBA Citizen Lawyer Award (2017-2018)

 

  • “Involuntary Bankruptcy: A Powerful Tool in the Creditor’s Arsenal, but Proceed with Caution”- Co-Presenter, Benjamin Kadden, 29th Annual Bankruptcy Law Conference, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, November 2, 2023 
  • “A Business Files for Bankruptcy: The First 60 Days”- Co-Presenter, Benjamin Kadden, EDLA Third Federal Bench and Bar Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, October 27, 2023 
  • “Putting the Success in Succession Planning- Ensuring a Lasting Legacy for Your Firm- Co-panelist, Benjamin Kadden, TAG International Conference, Rome, Italy, October 18, 2023 
  • “The Rumble in the Bankruptcy Jungle: Avoiding an Ethical TKO in Bankruptcy Court” – Co-presenter, Benjamin Kadden, 28th Annual Bankruptcy Law Conference, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, November 9, 2022 
  • “It’s Not Easy Being Green: Ethical Pitfalls for Bankruptcy Novices” – Presented by Hon. Meredith S. Grabill, U.S. Bankruptcy Court; Eastern District of LA., Benjamin W. Kadden and Ashley L. Belleau of Lugenbuhl, Bankruptcy Law Webinar Part II, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 20, 2022 
  • “Bankruptcy Issues in the Oil & Gas Industry” – Co-panelist, Benjamin W. Kadden, Professional Landmen’s Association of New Orleans Executive Night & Seminar, New Orleans, Louisiana, February 23, 2022 
  • “Equitable Mootness & Other Post-Confirmation Issues (Including Litigation Trusts And Burdens Of Proof On Fraudulent Transfer Adversaries, Etc.) ” – Co-panelist, Benjamin W. Kadden, Fifth Circuit Bankruptcy Bench-Bar Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, February 2-4, 2022 
  • “Hot Topics and Future of Chapter 11 in Louisiana” – Co-presented by the Hon. John W. Kolwe, Michael Crawford of Taylor Porter Brooks & Phillips, Laura Ashley of Jones Walker, and Benjamin W. Kadden and James Thurman of Lugenbuhl at Louisiana State University Law Center’s 27th Annual Bankruptcy Law Conference in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on December 1, 2021 
  • “Oil & Gas Distress: Price and Quantity Considerations beyond COVID-19” – Co-presenter, Benjamin W. Kadden, Turnaround Management Association (TMA) Virtual Town Hall Series: Leading Through Crisis, New Orleans, Louisiana, May 20, 2020  
  • “Insight for the Implications of the Oil & Gas Industry as a Result of the COVID-19 Epidemic” – Co-presenter, Benjamin W. Kadden, Louisiana Financial Executive Group (Louisiana FEG) Virtual Weekly Town Hall Series, New Orleans, Louisiana, May 19, 2020  
  • “Effects of Insolvency on Maritime Transactions and Rights” – Presented by Benjamin Kadden and Delos Flint, Jr., 2019 Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute Seminar (SEALI), New Orleans, Louisiana, June 27, 2019 
  • “What One Court Giveth, Another Court Taketh Away: Recent Decisions Relating To The Breadth Of Protections Afforded To Claimants Under The Louisiana Oil Well Lien Act” – Presented by Benjamin Kadden, 66th Annual Mineral Law Institute, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, March 15, 2019 
  • “Are You Distressed? Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Counseling For Non-Bankruptcy Attorneys” – Presented by Benjamin Kadden and Meredith Grabill, 2018 Procrastinators’ Programs, New Orleans, Louisiana, December 19, 2018 
  • “Creating and Sustaining a Culture of Service Excellence Through Effective Recruiting and Retention” – Presented by Benjamin Kadden and co-panelists at TAG Alliances Spring International Conference in Barcelona, Spain, on May 3, 2018  
  • “Professionalism – A Judge’s View; Lawyer Commentary (The Judge’s View Counts)’ – Co-presented by the Hon. John W. Kolwe and Benjamin W. Kadden at Louisiana State University Law Center’s 23rd Annual Bankruptcy Law Seminar, on November 2, 2017 

  • “Navigating Bankrupt Seas – For the Benefit of Maritime Operators,” Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute, with Delos Flint, Jr., 2019 
  • “What One Court Giveth; Another Court Taketh Away: Understanding LOWLA and the Impact of Recent Decisions on the Breadth of the Protections Afforded to Claimants by the Louisiana Legislature,” Mineral Law Institute Papers, with Meredith S. Grabill, 2019  
  • “Local Bankruptcy Rules: Louisiana (E.D. La.),” Practical Law Practice Bankruptcy & Restructuring, with Meredith S. Grabill, 2018 

Ben's Insights