Robert L. Blankenship

Robert Blankenship was born and raised in DeRidder, Louisiana, where small-town values of personal connection and teamwork took root early in his life. He earned his undergraduate degree in Creative Writing from LSU before returning for his Juris Doctorate in 2010. His career began on the BP Oil Spill Multi-District Litigation defending Transocean, followed by nearly a decade at an AM Law 200 firm, where he built a commercial litigation practice and personal injury defense practice. After a period as a solo practitioner, Robert partnered with longtime colleague Andrew Kolb to found Kolb & Blankenship in 2026. A lifelong Louisianan now based in Baton Rouge, Robert brings a common-sense, relationship-driven approach to serving local clients.

Education

  • Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Louisiana State University, J.D./B.C.L. 2010

    • Robert Tullis Moot Court Competition: Semi-finalist

    • Robert Tullis Moot Court Competition: Best Oral Advocate Finalist

  • Louisiana State University, B.A. in English: Creative Writing, May 2007

Admissions

  • Louisiana (2010)

  • U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

  • U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana 

Robert was born and raised in DeRidder, Louisiana. He is the product of small-town roots and values - where personal connections run deep and prioritizing relationships over transactions is a core value. At an early age, he loved sports, in part because of the games themselves, but mostly because of what it meant to work with your friends to achieve a shared purpose.

After graduating from DeRidder High School (Go Dragons!), he attended LSU, obtaining a degree in English: Creative Writing. He then earned his Juris Doctorate from LSU in 2010.

After passing the bar, the very first case Robert worked on was the BP Oil Spill, helping defend Transocean in the Multi-District Litigation in Federal Court in New Orleans.

After that case resolved, Robert moved to one of the largest law firms in the southeast, where he worked along side his partner, Andrew Kolb. There, he developed a personal injury practice, representing various trucking companies. He was involved in multiple jury trials. In his first jury trial as the first chair, Robert obtained a defense verdict in Jefferson Parish.  

During this time, Robert also developed a commercial litigation practice, including real estate disputes, collections, and sales tax disputes.

Robert left the big firm at the end of 2019 to start his own firm - his small-town roots drawing him into solo practice. While the firm may have been just himself, he shared office space with his old colleague, Andrew. Life as a solo practitioner was good, but something was missing. He lacked the joy of working alongside a team toward a shared purpose. The obvious solution was just down the hall; Andrew Kolb also shared his vision. They founded Kolb & Blankenship in 2026.

Robert has lived in Louisiana his entire life. He lives here because he loves it; he loves working with local people and businesses to solve their legal issues. He happily calls Baton Rouge home, though he never forgets where he came from. His background shaped how he approaches the law, and his life - to work with friends and clients, to always use common sense, and to never compromise on doing the right thing.