J. KellyDuncan
- Position
- Socio
- Office
- Nueva Orleans
Kelly Duncan es socio del Grupo de práctica marítima. Se desempeña actualmente como copresidente del Equipo de la industria de juegos de azar del bufete y trabajó en la junta directiva de Jones Walker desde 2006 hasta 2014.
Kelly cuenta con 40 años de experiencia en el manejo de asuntos de almirantazgo, actividades marítimas, asuntos relacionados con leyes de aduanas e internacionales, incluidos asuntos nacionales e internacionales relacionados con adquisiciones marítimas, financiamientos, construcción de embarcaciones, asuntos regulatorios, ejecución de gravámenes marítimos y ejecuciones hipotecarias, contratos de flete, tarifas de terminales y fletes. Su carrera internacional abarca transacciones comerciales internacionales, resoluciones aduaneras, protestas, reliquidaciones, incautaciones, confiscaciones y disputas de clasificación.
Desde principios de la década de 1990 y la aprobación de la legislación en estados fuera de Nevada y Nueva Jersey que autorizan el videopóquer, los juegos de azar en botes fluviales, los casinos terrestres, y las pistas de carreras y casinos combinados, Kelly ha participado integralmente en la representación de las principales compañías de casinos comerciales y tribales, así como también de fabricantes, proveedores e instituciones financieras en relación con todos los asuntos relacionados con el desarrollo, la financiación y la operación de dichos centros. Tiene amplia experiencia en el manejo de arrendamientos públicos y privados, financiamientos (incluidos financiamientos de embarcaciones de juego), aprobaciones de uso de tierras, interpretación y cumplimiento legales y reglamentarios, operaciones de juego, audiencias administrativas y litigios.
Entre los clientes de Kelly se encuentran muchos de los operadores de juegos y fabricantes y proveedores de equipos de juegos más grandes del mundo. También asesora a las principales firmas de banca de inversión y a grandes prestamistas comerciales que participan en préstamos garantizados y no garantizados, y ofertas de deuda y bonos en relación con el desarrollo de varios proyectos de juego, así como también fondos de inversión inmobiliaria (real estate investment trust, REIT).
Kelly es expresidente de International Masters of Gaming Law y miembro de la International Association of Gaming Advisors. Se ha desempeñado como orador en conferencias internacionales de juegos de azar y en seminarios marítimos en todo el mundo, y es uno de los únicos siete abogados especializados en juegos de azar de los Estados Unidos que esta clasificado globalmente en la edición 2021 de la Chambers Global Guide.
Como resultado de su carrera centrada en actividades marítimas, juegos de azar y asuntos internacionales, Kelly ha tenido una amplia experiencia ante organismos reguladores y tribunales federales.
Destacado
- Best of the Best USA Expert Guide - Juegos de azar y apuestas
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Ley de Almirantazgo y Derecho Marítimo y Ley de Juegos de Azar (incluido anualmente desde 2005)
Best Lawyers®, “Abogado del año”, Ley de Juegos de Azar, Nueva Orleans, Luisiana (2011, 2015, 2017, 2019 y 2021) - The International Who’s Who of Sports & Entertainment Lawyers (incluido anualmente desde 2014)
- Chambers Global, Juegos de azar y apuestas (incluido anualmente desde 2009)
- Chambers USA, Juegos de azar y licencias (incluido anualmente desde 2005; reconocimiento a nivel nacional desde 2015) y Operaciones bancarias y finanzas: finanzas marítimas (incluido anualmente desde 2012)
- The Legal 500 Estados Unidos, Transporte: Envíos – Finanzas (incluido anualmente desde 2017); Transporte: Envíos – Reglamentación (incluido anualmente desde 2017); y Transporte: Envíos – Litigio (2017-2018)
- New Orleans CityBusiness, premio Leadership in Law (2005, 2009, 2016)
- Nueva Orleans CityBusiness Premio al liderazgo en derecho (2016)
- Louisiana Super Lawyers en las áreas de Juegos de azar y Transporte/Derecho marítimo (incluido anualmente desde 2007)
- New Orleans Magazine, Mejor abogado (lncluido anualmente desde 2004)
- Calificación de revisión de pares AV Preeminent® en Martindale-Hubbell
Experiencia
- Represented the city of Danville, Virginia in negotiating and drafting a casino development agreement with a major casino company.
- Represented a real estate investment trust in connection with multiple asset acquisitions of gaming properties throughout the United States
- Represented a federally recognized Indian tribe in the acquisition of integrated casino resorts in the United States and Caribbean islands
- Represented an operator and processor with worldwide fishing operations in connection with Title XI and other financings and refinancings of fishing vessels secured by domestic and non-domestic ship mortgages
- Acted as special maritime counsel in connection with multibillion-dollar credit facility and modifications thereto secured by US ship mortgages
- Represented a money-center bank in connection with a loan restructuring involving a fleet of offshore supply vessels secured by US fleet ship mortgages
- Represented a casino owner and operator in connection with an $85 million credit facility secured by US ship mortgages
- Represented a money center bank in connection with a $575 million credit facility secured by US ship mortgages
- Advised in the licensure of domestic and foreign gaming manufacturers and suppliers
- Represented major entertainment companies in relation to gaming licensure and compliance matters in multiple states
- Represented a regional casino in connection with multimillion-dollar debt financings associated with an emergence from bankruptcy
- Represented a major private equity company seeking to acquire a major international lottery company
- Represented a national casino company in successfully obtaining important workforce concessions
- Represented international gaming manufacturers in connection with gaming issues arising out of mergers
- Represented various lenders in connection with a $700 million casino project
- Represented a casino owner in connection with a $600 million casino project
- Represented an international casino company in connection with a billion-dollar casino project
- Acted as special maritime counsel in a $405 million sale of all marine assets of a publicly traded utility to a private equity group
- Acted as special maritime counsel in a $9.5 billion acquisition financing associated with a publicly held entity being taken private
- Acted as special maritime counsel in a $2.2 billion debt exchange offer
- Acted as special maritime counsel in a $5 billion debt exchange offer
- Served as gaming counsel to a multijurisdictional casino company in connection with its $2 billion-plus Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Publicaciones
- "Louisiana Chapter," The International Comparative Legal Guide (ICLG) – Gambling Laws and Regulations 2025, November 19, 2024
- "Jones Walker Expands Gaming Group with New Office in Tallahassee, Florida," Jones Walker LLP Gulf States Gaming Law Client Alert, January 10, 2024
- "2021 Mississippi Milestones," Jones Walker LLP Gulf States Gaming Law Client Alert, January 2022
- "2021 Regional Gaming Highlights," Jones Walker LLP Gulf States Gaming Law Client Alert, January 2022
- "The Latest on Sports Wagering in Louisiana," Jones Walker LLP Gulf States Gaming Law Client Alert, June 22, 2021
- "What's Next for Sports Wagering in Louisiana? Regulations, Regulations, Regulations," Jones Walker LLP Gulf States Gaming Law Client Alert, May 27, 2021
- "2020 Regional Gaming Highlights," Jones Walker LLP Gulf States Gaming Law Client Alert, December 2020
- "Sports Wagering Is on the Ballot in Louisiana: Here’s What We Know," Jones Walker LLP Gulf States Gaming Law Client Alert, October 20, 2020
- "Virginia Establishes Narrow Window for Sports Betting Permit Applications," Jones Walker LLP Gulf States Gaming Law Client Alert, September 30, 2020
- "What Will Reopened Casinos Look Like in Louisiana and Mississippi After the Coronavirus Shutdown Ends?" Jones Walker LLP Gulf States Gaming Law Client Alert, April 21, 2020
- "Challenging Times: Specific Issues Facing the Gaming Industry During the Coronavirus Crisis," Jones Walker LLP Gulf States Gaming Law Client Alert, March 27, 2020
- "Louisiana Supreme Court Concludes that Permanently Moored Riverboat Casinos Are Not 'Vessels' Under Maritime Law," Jones Walker LLP Gulf States Gaming Law Client Alert, February 2020
- "2019 Gaming Highlights," Jones Walker LLP Gulf States Gaming Law Client Alert, December 2019
- "Update on Sports Wagering in Louisiana," Jones Walker LLP Gulf States Gaming Law Client Alert, June 2019
- "Sports Wagering in Louisiana Might Be on the Horizon," Jones Walker LLP Gulf States Gaming Law Client Alert, May 2019
- "Sports Betting In The South: A Status Update on Gulf States," Law360, April 17, 2019
- Louisiana Chapter, Chambers Global Practice Guides: Gaming, Gambling & Licensing, (1st ed. 2018), February 6, 2018
- Louisiana Chapter, International Comparative Legal Guide to: Gambling (3rd ed. 2017), December 19, 2016
- Louisiana Chapter, International Comparative Legal Guide to: Gambling (2nd ed. 2016), December 19, 2015
- "Gaming Industry Forecast," Casino Enterprise Management Magazine, January 1, 2015
- Louisiana Chapter, International Comparative Legal Guide to: Gambling (1st ed. 2015), January 1, 2015
- Chapter 24: "Import Procedures and Restrictions," A Foreign Investor's Guide to Doing Business in Louisiana, December 18, 2014
- "Gaming Industry Forecast," Casino Enterprise Management Magazine, January 18, 2014
- "Comment - The Convergence of Land-Based and Online Gaming," iNterGamingLaw Magazine, Issue 1, January 1, 2014
- "IMGL President's Message," Casino Lawyer Magazine, Canadian Gaming Lawyer, European Gaming Lawyer and La Ley del Juego, December 18, 2013
- "Internet Gaming and the Louisiana Conundrum," iNTERGAMINGLAW Magazine, Issue 1, December 18, 2013
- "Gaming Industry Forecast," Casino Enterprise Management Magazine, January 18, 2013
- "International Masters of Gaming Law Continue to Educate the World of Gaming," INTERGAME Yearbook, January 18, 2013
- "Impact of the Worst Natural Disaster in the History of the United States" Casino Lawyer Magazine, July 18, 2006
Presentaciones
- "Navigating Gaming Regulatory Challenges in Mergers & Acquisitions and the Introduction of Private Equity," NCLGS Winter Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana, December 12, 2024
- North American Gaming Regulators Association Annual Meeting, Boise, Idaho, June 12 and June 15, 2023
- "Investment Opportunities in the Gambling Industry and Navigating the Regulatory Issues," International Masters of Gaming Law 2023 Spring Conference, April 28, 2023
- "Antitrust and Regulatory Divestment: How will the Consolidations of the Future Move Forward?" G2E’s Education Program at the 2022 Global Gaming Expo, October 11, 2022
- "Legal Roundtable Panel," 2022 Southern Gaming Summit, Biloxi, Mississippi, May 5, 2022
- "Gaming, Elected Officials and The Media", March 28, 2019
- "Regulatory Markets: Esports, Daily Fantasy Sports, and Virtual Games as Regulated Gaming," International Masters of Gaming Law Spring Conference/ABA Gaming Law, Las Vegas, Nevada, May 31, 2018
- "If You Build It, They Will Come: Tips on Construction of Casino Resorts and Major Entertainment Complexes from Development to Dispute Resolution," American Bar Association Business Law Section Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana, May 22, 2017
- "Effects of the 2016 Elections and Emerging Trends facing Gaming in the United States," International Masters of Gaming Law Spring Conference, May 1, 2017
- "Daily Fantasy Sports in Europe and in the U.S.," International Masters of Gaming Law Autumn Conference, Dublin, Ireland, October 25, 2016
- "The Competitive Impact of Tax Rate Policy; Taxes; Withholding; FinCEN Reporting," American Bar Association Gaming Law Minefield National Institute, February 12, 2016
- "Internet Gaming and Fantasy Sports", January 10, 2016
- "Best Practices of Gaming Regulatory Models from around the World," International Masters of Gaming Law Autumn Conference, October 16, 2015
- "Policy Issues of New and Emerging Jurisdictions," Gaming Laboratories International University Regulator Seminar, Vancouver, Canada, June 2, 2015
- "Mergers and Transfers of Interest: What Considerations are Relevant in Approving Consolidations," American Bar Association Gaming Law Minefield National Institute, Las Vegas, Nevada, February 12, 2015
- "Current Issues in Gaming Regulation," International Master of Gaming Law Autumn Conference, November 7, 2014
- "IGaming: A Real World Update," Southern Gaming Summit, Biloxi, Mississippi, May 7, 2014
- "Doing Business in North America," International Masters of Gaming Law Spring Conference, San Diego, California, April 25, 2014
- "The Current State of Financing in the Casino Industry," American Bar Association Gaming Law Minefield National Institute, Henderson, Nevada, February 14, 2014
- "Gaming Convergence," International Masters of Gaming Law Masterclass at ICE, London, England, February 5, 2014
- "Emerging Issues in Offshore Energy," Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants Oil & Gas Industry Workshop, November 15, 2013
- "Confidentially Speaking: What Information Can Gaming Regulators Request?" Global Gaming Expo (G2E), Las Vegas, Nevada, September 24, 2013
- "Building a Working Relationship between Regulator and Regulated", February 14, 2013, Henderson, Nevada
- "The Fiscal Impact of Expanded Gaming: Can Promises be Kept?" National Council of Legislators from Gaming States, June 16, 2012
- "North America Land Based Developments," International Masters of Gaming Law Autumn Conference, Vienna, Austria, September 15, 2011
- "Compliance: The Concept, the Application, and the Limits," International Masters of Gaming Law Spring Conference, Napa Valley, California, May 23, 2011
- "Commercial Gaming Regulatory Update," Southern Gaming Summit, Biloxi, Mississippi, May 4, 2011
- "Gaming Device Malfunctions—Winners and Losers," International Masters of Gaming Law Autumn Conference, October 2010; Southern Gaming Summit, Biloxi, Mississippi, May 6, 2010, International Masters of Gaming Law Autumn Conference, Madrid, Spain, October 2010; Southern Gaming Summit, Biloxi, Mississippi
- "Financing, Debt Workout and Bankruptcy in Gaming," American Bar Association Gaming Law Minefield National Institute, Henderson, Nevada, February 18, 2010
- "The New Politics of Gaming," Southern Gaming Summit, Biloxi, Mississippi, May 6, 2009
- "North America—Will There be an Earthquake?" International Masters of Gaming Law Conference, Berlin, Germany, January 1, 2008
- "Tales from Katrina," International Masters of Gaming Law Winter Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, November 30, 2006
- "North American Gaming Developments," International Masters of Gaming Law Conference, Ljubljana, Slovenia, January 1, 2006
- "Foreign Lease Financing of Jones Act Qualified Vessles," Tulane University Maritime Law Seminar, October 18, 2003
- "Coast Guard Vessel Documentation Office Consolidation and Proposed Jones Act Abolition," Tulane University Maritime Law Seminar, July 24, 1996
- "Recent Developments in the Fifth Circuit," Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute, December 18, 1991
Membresías
Cívicas/Comunitarias:
- Comisión de Audubon: presidente; miembro del Comité Ejecutivo
- Instituto de la Naturaleza Audubon:
- Expresidente, Junta Directiva
- Expresidente, Fondo anual
- Copresidente honorario, Zoo-to-Do (2015; 2020)
- Copresidente, Comité patrocinador de Zoo-to-Do (2019)
- Exmiembro de la Junta Directiva de la Fundación del Instituto de la Naturaleza Audubon
- Miembro fundador, John Charles Olmsted Society
- Miembro de la Junta Directiva de Audubon Boulevard Association; expresidente
- Oficina de Investigación Gubernamental, presidente, Comité de Donaciones; expresidente, Junta Directiva
- Cámara de Comercio de Nueva Orleans y la región del río, expresidente del Comité Asesor de Puertos y Vías Acuáticas
- Comité para una Mejor Nueva Orleans, miembro; exparticipante, Foro de Liderazgo de MAC (1982)
- Georgetown University:
- Exmiembro, Junta de Directores
- Expresidente, Georgetown University Club of Louisiana
- Miembro, Programa de Admisiones de Exalumnos, Comité de Admisiones de Luisiana
- Museo de los Niños de Luisiana, expresidente, Junta Directiva
- Centro de Naturaleza y Ciencias de Luisiana (National Center for Wetlands Education y Society for Environmental Education) Expresidente, Junta Directiva
- Comité del Área Metropolitana, miembro; exparticipante, Foro de Liderazgo de MAC (1982)
- Museo de Arte de Nueva Orleans, miembro; copresidente de Odyssey Ball (2017)
- New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute, miembro de Clase de 2005
- St. Martin’s Episcopal School, miembro, tesorero, Junta Directiva; Ganador del premio Martin de Tours 2018–2019
- Iglesia Episcopal de Trinity, copresidente de la campaña de administración (2019–2020); exsecretario de la sacristía y miembro del Comité Ejecutivo
- Trinity Episcopal School, exmiembro de la Junta Directiva
- United Way, exabogado del grupo profesional
- World Trade Center, exmiembro del Comité de Transporte
- Consejo de Liderazgo Juvenil, exmiembro, Junta Directiva
Actividad Profesional:
- Colegio de Abogados de Estados Unidos:
- Miembro, Secciones de Almirantazgo y Derecho Marítimo y Derecho Comercial, Comité de Derecho de Juegos de Azar
- Excopresidente del Gaming Law Minefield National Institute
- Colegio Federal de Abogados, miembro
- Gaming Law Review and Economics, miembro, Consejo Editorial
- Miembro de International Association of Gaming Advisors
- Maestría Internacional en Derecho del Juego, expresidente; miembro del Comité Ejecutivo
- Colegio de Abogados del Estado de Luisiana:
- Presidente del Grupo de Trabajo de Cuba
- Miembro, Secciones sobre Derecho de almirantazgo e internacional
- Asociación de Derecho Marítimo de los Estados Unidos, miembro, Comité de Financiamiento Marítimo
- Colegio de Abogados de Nueva Orleans, excopresidente, Comité de Derecho Marítimo e Internacional
- Seminario Marítimo de Nueva Orleans, miembro, Comité de Asesoramiento y Planificación
- Miembro del Instituto de Derecho de Almirantazgo del Sureste; exorador en la reunión anual
- UNLV Gaming Law Journal, miembro, Junta Asesora

Educación
- Facultad de Derecho de Tulane University
Titulación conjunta, 1979 - Georgetown University
AB, cum laude, 1976
Admisiones al Colegio de Abogados
- Louisiana
Admisiones Judiciales
- US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- US District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
- US District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana
- US District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
- US Court of International Trade