The Suit Magazine

With 31 years of experience behind him, David R. Taggart, a partner at Bradley Murchison Kelly & Shea LLC, is considered one of the most respected lawyers nationwide. He has been recognized as one of The Best Lawyers in America in 2009 and 2011 for his work in commercial litigation, construction law, energy law, labor and employment law, mass tort litigation, and oil and gas law. Although he primarily handles commercial litigation and transactional cases, Taggart’s work often tackles complex legal issues. “[The cases I handle] frequently involve novel combinations of law and fact, with heavy economic impact,” Taggart said.

In fact, Taggart’s breakthrough case came in late 1990, when he represented Southwestern Electric Power Company, a major electric utility company.  The case involved a dispute with the Texas Public Utility Commission over long-term contracts for fuel and fuel transportation for some of its solid fuel-fired generating units. “Successful resolution in favor of Southwestern Electric Power Company resulted in refunds to all of its affected customers in its tri-state area,” Taggart said.

Born in Midland, Texas in 1951, Taggart obtained a B.S. from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and later continued his legal education at the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University. During his time in law school, Taggart served as the Executive Editor of the Louisiana Law Review and was also inducted into the Paul M. Herbert Hall of Fame.

After graduating with his J.D. in 1979 in the top ten percent of his class, Taggart was admitted to the Louisiana State Bar. He then decided to work for the Shreveport law firm of Hargrove, Guyton, Ramey and Barlow, a predecessor to Bradley Murchison Kelly & Shea LLC. “A friend of mine, Dan Sawyer, a local judge, said that was the firm he would like to work with,” Taggart said.  “His advice was correct, and I owe much of my success to his mentoring and his advice. Now, I’m a senior partner and a mentor to younger partners and associates.” 

Currently, Taggart is involved in a large number of cases that blend law, fact, and economic impact. “There are 30 to 40 major active cases in which I’m the lead counsel,” Taggart said.  “We represent major corporations, and many national or regional firms in many different state and federal arenas, often in federal court.  I concentrate on the energy industry, with an emphasis on construction.  I’m currently involved in various interstate and intrastate natural gas gathering and transportation infrastructure expansion projects in the southeastern part of the United States for various clients.”

acknowledges that there are some substantial problems in the legal system, particularly in instances of judicial selection. “In Louisiana, the judiciary is elected,” Taggart said. “I have always been critical of the election process for our state judiciary and believe that we have to go to a merit selection process.  With the proliferation of cases and with the ever-increasing industry reliance on technology, we have to find a better way to select the best qualified and knowledgeable jurists.”

Although the recession has greatly impacted many working in legal professions, Taggart’s practice has not significantly been affected. “In the early spring of 2008, Chesapeake Energy discovered what has been touted as what may be ultimately be the largest natural gas deposit in the continental United States: the Haynesville Shale, a gas bearing formation underlying literally thousands of square miles in East Texas and North Louisiana,” Taggart said. “Beginning in the spring of 2008, there was a feeding frenzy of oil companies vying for acquisition of leases and mineral rights.  That not only generated a need for housing and infrastructure expansion, running opposite to the general economic downturn nationwide, but I think will fuel the local economy for decades, possibly for  30 to 40 years if some predictions of the Haynesville Shale’s productive capacity are correct.”

Due to the positive impact that Taggart’s influence has had on many important cases, he notes that his position as a senior partner at Bradley Murchison Kelly & Shea LLC serves a far great purpose than just paying the bills. “I feel like I’m making a difference,” Taggart said. “It’s not just a nine-five job.  There is an opportunity to help people with problems that are important to them.  In the process, I have an opportunity to do something that I love and which, I hope, makes a difference in the lives of people for the better.”

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