Fishman Haygood Announces Election of Tad Bartlett and Kaja Elmer to Partnership

Fishman Haygood is proud to announce that Tad Bartlett and Kaja Elmer have been elected to partnership effective January 1, 2025.

Tad heads Fishman Haygood’s Appellate Section and runs the Take the Fifth blog, which digests all opinions released by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, summarizes all opinions designated for publication, and tracks statistics on opinion releases from the Circuit. He also practices more broadly as part of the firm’s litigation group and was an integral member of a multi-firm team that developed the coastal litigation practice regarding land-loss on behalf of both landowners and governmental entities. Additionally, Tad has been deeply involved in numerous complex commercial cases, from preferential rights disputes to bet-the-company litigation, as well as construction litigation.

In addition to his day-to-day practice, Tad lends his time and resources to criminal justice causes, educating the next generation of attorneys, and environmental advocacy. He has drafted pleadings on behalf of the condemned seeking post-conviction relief, including an application for writ of certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court in a capital post-conviction case, and has advised on immigration and criminal justice appeals in the United States Fifth Circuit, including of qualified immunity in an excessive force civil rights claim before the en banc Court. Since 2019, Tad has also served on Tulane Law School’s faculty as an adjunct professor, teaching an advanced seminar on Coastal Law Litigation & Policy each spring. He currently serves as an advisory board member of the Tulane Institute of Water Resources Law and Policy. Read more about Tad here.

Kaja’s practice focuses on a wide range of commercial litigation matters. She represents businesses in commercial disputes, investors and borrowers in securities fraud actions, and trustees and receivers in bankruptcy-related litigation in state and federal court. She handles matters involving statutory violations, breach of contract, misrepresentation, and breach of fiduciary duty. Kaja also represents plaintiffs in class action litigation, including acting as counsel for a nationwide class of student loan debtors in recent settlements with Navient Solutions, LLC and Navient Credit Finance Corporation which resulted in approximately $236 million in debt relief for private student loan borrowers, as well as $44 million in cash compensation.

Kaja often represents pro bono litigants in federal and state court and is a member of the Eastern District of Louisiana’s Civil Pro Bono Counsel Panel. She maintains a strong interest in civil rights, having participated in the Civil Rights & Constitutional Litigation Clinic at Seton Hall University School of Law, her alma mater. In connection with her pro bono civil rights representation, she has argued a post-conviction relief appeal before the United States Fifth Circuit. Kaja also understands the importance of female representation in the legal field and is a member of the Association for Women Attorneys. Click here to learn more about Kaja.

Both Tad and Kaja are recognized by the Best Lawyers in America® and Super Lawyers in their respective practice areas. Fishman Haygood is thrilled to have these capable and excellent attorneys join the partnership.