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Kenneth L. Tolar

Attorney
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Phone: (504) 571-5317
Fax: (504) 571-5437

8630 Oak St
New Orleans, Louisiana 70118

Kenneth L. Tolar has handled a variety of insurance claims over the past 28 years including those arising out of hurricanes, fires, and similar catastrophic events. Having a policy that insures a structure for damages caused by wind or fire is no guarantee that all sustained damages will be covered. When you file a claim, you may be surprised to discover that your insurer is refusing to cover the cost of repairs after a hurricane or major storm. Insurers may improperly attribute your damage to flooding or other uncovered events, or may estimate your damages to be far less than what it will actually cost to repair or replace damaged property. Insurers often misapply "civil authority" or "mandatory evacuation" clauses in order to deny reimbursement for business interruption or living expenses when a building is unhabitable after a major storm. When an insurer arbitrarily and capriciously denies or undervalues a claim, it may be liable for certain enhanced damages in addition to the value of the claim, including attorney's fees and penalties.

After Hurricanes Katrina, Gustav, and Isaac devasted New Orleans and much of the surrounding Gulf Coast, Mr. Tolar represented numerous homeowners and small businesses whose claims were arbitrarily denied or undervalued. By aggressively challenging insurance companies, Mr. Tolar was able to secure additional recovery in most cases well above the amount initially offered to unrepresented insureds.

Education

J.D., Loyola University, New Orleans, Louisiana, May, 1993

B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, August, 1985
Majors: Chemical Engineering and French.

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice Admitted to practice law before all Courts of the State of Louisiana. Louisiana state and federal courts., Oct. 1993
Admitted to practice in the Eastern District of Louisiana., Jan. 1995
Admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. , Feb. 1996
Admitted to practice before Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal., July 2001
Admitted to practice for the Court of Appeal for the Federal Circuit., July 2002
Professional & Bar Association Memberships

Louisiana State Bar Association

Representative Cases
  • Snow Ingredients, Inc. v. SnoWizard, Inc.; United States District Court, E.D. Louisiana
  • Athletic Training Innovations, LLC v. eTagz, Inc., United States District Court, E.D. Louisiana; United States District Court, Utah
  • Biggio v. H2O Hair Inc.; United States District Court, E.D. Louisiana
  • Engineering & Inspection Services, LLC v. IntPar, LLC; United States District Court, E.D. Louisiana
  • Athletic Training Innovations, LLC v. L.A. Gear, Inc.; United States District Court, E.D. Louisiana
  • Thibodeaux v. Executive Jet International, Inc.; United States District Court, E.D. Louisiana
  • Thibodeaux v. Stonebridge, L.L.C., 24th JDC for the Parish of Jefferson
  • Jam Strait v. Sylvania, United States District Court, E.D. Louisiana
  • Jam Strait v. Pilot, United States District Court, E.D. Louisiana
  • SnoWizard v. Andrews, 24th JDC for the Parish of Jefferson
  • Jeansonne v. Louisiana Citizens; Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans
  • Rosen v. ANPAC Louisiana Insurance Co.; Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans
  • Lagraize v. ANPAC Louisiana Insurance Co., Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans
  • Gautier v Richards Clearview; 24th JDC for the Parish of Jefferson
  • Gautier v. Progressive; 24th JDC for the Parish of Jefferson
  • Janelco Global v. The Hanover; United States District Court, E.D. Louisiana
  • Bridgewater v. Allstate Indemnity Co., United States District Court, E.D. Louisiana
  • Hairline Ink, LLC v. Gerow, Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans
Professional Experience
  • August 2017-present: Tolar Harrigan & Morris LLC, New Orleans, Louisiana: Partner, Litigation Attorney-commercial, intellectual property, insurance, construction, property, and appellate law.
  • Aug. 1996-August 2017: Kenneth L. Tolar, APLC; Attorney at Law, Metairie, Louisiana; general intellectual property practice including patent, trademark and copyright prosecution, litigation and licensing on behalf of both corporations and independent inventors; patentability and trademark availability opinions; inter partes practice before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
  • August 1994-July 1996: Associate attorney, Didriksen & Carbo, PLC, New Orleans, Louisiana; Patent prosecution & litigation, products liability, industrial litigation, commercial property insurance.
  • August 1993-July 1994: Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Edward J. Gaidry, Thirty-Second Judicial District Court, State of Louisiana, Houma, Louisiana.
  • Oct. 1988-July 1993: Technical Specialist, Betz Laboratories, Inc., Metairie, Louisiana. Industrial water treatment consulting services to local refineries and chemical plants. Duties included implementing and monitoring chemical treatment programs for influent, effluent, boiler and cooling water systems as well as interacting with plant management to assure optimal program results and maximum plant operating efficiency.
  • Dec. 1986-October 1988: District Representative, Nalco Chemical, Inc., Monroe, Louisiana. Industrial water treatment consulting services to Louisiana paper mills and chemical plants.
  • October 1985-December 1986: Sales Representative, Liquid Air, Inc., Orlando, Florida. Direct sales of specialty gases to chemical laboratories, hospitals and defense contractors.
Client Reviews
★★★★★
“Compassionate - not an attribute I would have originally associated with a law firm. Tolar, Harrigan, & Morris was that and much more. From the first point of contact, it was apparent that this team was not only highly competent in their craft, but also genuine and determined to produce positive results. I have said it many times and will continue to say that if we would have chosen another firm, our results would have been much different. With an over-the-top work ethic, it is no surprise that we prevailed. My family and I could not have asked for a better equipped firm and are very happy with the results.” Sherie N.
★★★★★
“One of the very best Attorney groups I have worked with in the last 25 years. Smart and very responsive...” John G.