Kyle L. Gideon

Kyle L. Gideon joined the firm in 1986 after having served for two years as a law clerk to the Honorable Jerome E. Domengeaux, Chief Judge, Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

His practice focuses on the defense of railroad grade crossing accident cases, F.E.L.A. suits, derailments, ERISA claims litigation, and casualty litigation. His ERISA litigation work includes the defense of claims for life, disability, AD&D and health benefits. The Railroad and ERISA work complement each other, as both involve complex Federal preemption issues. His practice includes experience in class action law suits in both the railroad litigation and ERISA arenas. Mr. Gideon was chosen for inclusion in Louisiana Super Lawyers in 2014.

Gideon received his B.A. Degree in 1980 in political science/pre-law from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and his law degree in 1984 from the Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert School of Law.

His strong ties to the legal community is reflected in his membership in the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel, the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, The American Inns of Court and the Lafayette, Louisiana and American Bar Associations. He currently serves as President Elect and is a former Secretary/Treasurer and Director on the board of the Lafayette Bar Association and presently serves in the House of Delegates of the Louisiana State Bar Association. Kyle also regularly attends meetings of the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel and the Claims Conference put on by the Association of American Railroads. He was a charter member of and former member of the Board of Directors of the Lafayette Young Lawyers Association.

He is admitted to practice in all Louisiana courts, the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Western, and Middle Districts of Louisiana and the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Gideon is a frequent lecturer on accident investigation techniques and on ERISA claims litigation.

An avid outdoorsman, he is particularly proud of his conservation work, having served on the state board of directors of the Coastal Conservation Association, president of the Acadiana Chapter of Coastal Conservation Association, and is a committee member and sponsor of the Lafayette Chapter of Ducks Unlimited.

As an active member in the community, he is a member of the Board of Downtown Lafayette Unlimited, he has worked as a member of the American Red Cross Board of Directors, served as legal chair of the United Way Campaign, is a former member of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Krewe of Gabriel.

Bar Admissions:

Louisiana, 1984

U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana

U.S. District Court Western District of Louisiana

U.S. District Court Middle District of Louisiana

U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit

Representative Cases:

Palacios v. Louisiana and Delta Railroad, Inc., 2000 WL 1886351

Clancy v. Employers Health Ins. Co., 101 F.Supp. 2d 463 (E.D. La 2000)

Clancy v. Employers Health Ins. Co., 82 F.Supp. 2d 589 (E.D. La 1999)

Palacios v. Louisiana and Delta Railroad, Inc., 740 So.2d 95 (La. 1999)

Palacios v. Louisiana and Delta Railroad, Inc., 721 So.2d 557 (La. App.3rd Cir. 1998)

Western Company of North America v. Dynasty Transportation, Inc., 696 So.2d 1 (La. App. 3rd Cir. 1997)

Palacios v. Louisiana and Delta Railroad, Inc., 682 So.2d 806 (La. App. 3rd Cir. 1996)

MARTCO Partnership v. Lincoln National Life Ins. Co., 86 F.3d 459 (C.A. 5th Cir. 1996)

Miguez v. Southern Pacific Transportation Company, 645 So.2d 1184 (La. App. 3rd Cir. 1994)

Bertrand v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, 635 So.2d 579 (La. App. 3rd Cir. 1994)

Coles v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, 837 F.Supp 764 (M.D. La. 1993)

Hensgens v. Deere & Co., 869 F.2d 879 (C. A. 5th Cir. 1989)

Education:

Louisiana State University Law Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana – 1984

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette

B.A. – 1980

Major: Political Science/Pre-Law

Areas of Practice:

Class Action Litigation

Environmental

Insurance Defense

Litigation

Transportation and Utilities

Professional Associations and Memberships:

Professional Associations and Memberships

National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel, Member

The Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, Member

The American Inns of Court, Member

Lafayette Bar Association, Member

Louisiana Bar Association, Member

American Bar Association, Member

Lafayette Young Lawyers Association, Charter Member, Board of Directors

Lafayette Young Lawyers Association, Former Member, Board of Directors

Coastal Conservation Association, Board of Directors, State of Louisiana, 1999 – Present

Coastal Conservation Association, Executive Committee, State of Louisiana, 1999 – 2000

Coastal Conservation Association, President, Acadiana Chapter, 1999 – 2000

Coastal Conservation Association, Board of Directors, Acadiana Chapter, 1997 – Present

Coastal Conservation Association, Banquet Chairman, Acadiana Chapter, 2001

Ducks Unlimited, Local Committee Member

Ducks Unlimited, Bronze Sponsor

American Red Cross, Member, Board of Directors

United Way Campaign, Legal Chair

Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, Member