Experienced. Dedicated. Thorough.

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Kara B. Kantrow

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Location:

Baton Rouge, LA

Practice Areas:

  • Business, Commercial, Corporate Law
  • Transportation Law
  • Municipal & Local Government Law
  • Regulatory & Utility Law
  • Civil Litigation & Appellate Law
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Municipal and Local Government Law
  • Energy
  • Telecommunications and Utilities
  • Wills and Successions
Rated By Super Lawyers | Rising Stars | Kara B. Kantrow | SuperLawyers.com
Rated by Super Lawyers | Kara B. Kantrow | Selected in 2021 | Thomson Reuters
Rated by Super Lawyers | Kara B. Kantrow | Selected in 2022 | Thomson Reuters
Rated By Super Lawyers | Rising Stars | Kara B. Kantrow|2023

Biography

Kara Kantrow is a partner with Marionneaux Kantrow, LLC, having been with the firm since 2010.  Kara has been a practicing attorney since 2007, representing corporate and individual clients in a variety of transactional and litigation matters with a focus on representing utilities, motor carriers, and other regulated entities and interested parties before the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC).  Kara has represented numerous electric cooperatives, water and wastewater utilities, gas utilities, power suppliers, transportation companies, and other entities in variety of matters, including ratemaking proceedings, mergers and acquisitions, utility versus utility disputes, contract negotiation and preparation, and loans and financing approvals. 

Representative Experience

  • Represented the interests of motor carriers and utilities in numerous rulemaking proceedings before the LPSC related to a variety of issues, including merger and acquisition requirements, motor carrier authority, net metering and distributed generation, rate structure and right to serve, utility industrial service, pole attachments, and the application and interpretation of laws and LPSC orders.
  • Obtained regulatory approvals for and assisted utility clients in finalizing power and resource purchase agreements, including assisting with the negotiation and regulatory approval of complex long-term all requirements power purchase contracts for two electric utilities in 2012.
  • Provided strategic advice, prepared agreements and documents, and obtained regulatory approvals for mergers and acquisitions involving regulated entities, specifically including water and wastewater utilities and common carriers.
  • Represented numerous utilities (electric, water and wastewater, and gas), and common carriers in designing and seeking approval for rate increases, including the implementation of formula rate plans and rate stabilization structures, including the both contested and uncontested proceedings.
  • Provided representation to troubled water and wastewater utilities in reaching compliance with Louisiana state regulatory entities and in receivership litigation.
  • Negotiated Power Supply Agreements for the service of electric power.
  • Represented multiple electric utilities in obtaining regulatory approval of advanced metering programs.
  • Helped initiate, intervened in, and monitored rulemaking matters before the LPSC for electric utilities, water and wastewater utilities, and other regulated entities with regard to numerous legal and regulatory issues.
  • Assisted clients in preparing, monitoring, and seeking approval of legislative initiatives.
  • Assisted with applications and obtained regulatory approval for numerous utility loans and re-financings.
  • Pursued, defended, and litigated utility disputes over right to provide service and establish rates before the LPSC.
  • Has successfully strategized and litigated multiple contested proceeding for waste transportation clients, representing clients through the hearing process and Commission interaction, ultimately obtaining statewide unlimited authority for the client.
  • Assisted numerous motor carrier clients in diverse matters, including issues of corporate design, restructuring, mergers, and acquisitions, federal and state regulatory compliance, obtaining operating authority, drafting and negotiation of contracts of brokerage, lease, and for services, risk avoidance, and litigation.
  • Provided legal opinions to clients with Louisiana utility assets in securing financing and in making UCC filings with proper entities to secure such financing.

Education

  • Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
    • J.D. - 2007
  • Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
    • Bachelor of Civil Law - 2007
  • Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts
    • B.A., Bachelor of Arts - 2003

Bar Admissions

  • Louisiana, 2007
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana, 2007
  • U.S. District Court Middle District of Louisiana, 2007
  • U.S. District Court Western District of Louisiana, 2007
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 2007

Honors

  • Super Lawyers, Super Lawyer in Louisiana in the field of Utility Law, 2023
  • Super Lawyers, Super Lawyer in Louisiana in the field of Utility Law, 2022
  • Super Lawyers, Super Lawyer in Louisiana in the field of Utility Law, 2021
  • Super Lawyers, Rising Star in Louisiana in the field of Utility Law, 2020
  • Super Lawyers, Rising Star in Louisiana in the field of Utility Law, 2019
  • Super Lawyers, Rising Star in Louisiana in the field of Utility Law, 2018
  • Super Lawyers, Rising Star in Louisiana in the field of Utility Law, 2017

Professional Associations

  • Super Lawyers – Super Lawyer – Utility Law, 2021, 2022, 2023
  • Super Lawyers – Rising Star – Utility Law, 2017 to 2020
  • Baton Rouge Bar Association, Young Lawyer Section Council, Board Chair, 2015 to 2016
  • Baton Rouge Bar Association, Young Lawyer Section Council, Council Member, 2013 to 2017
  • Federal Bar Association, Member
  • Louisiana State Bar Association, Member