Energy Litigation

• The successful defense, through argument at the Louisiana Second Circuit Court of Appeal of claims regarding termination of a mineral servitude
• The successful defense, through argument at the United State Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal of claims for royalty payments made by a non-participating owner under Louisiana’s Risk Fee Statute
• Obtaining summary judgment on behalf of two operating companies against claims brought by a geologist seeking an overriding royalty interest
• Enforcing a lien under the Louisiana Oilfield Lien Act for non-operating lease holder
• Defending multiple companies in Legacy litigation and coastal zone lawsuits

Commercial Litigation

• Led a defense team to a trial verdict in a case where a tenant sued an apartment complex seeking damages from mold exposure
• Obtaining a dismissal of an injunction sought by an employee against a drug testing company for an alleged false positive drug test
• The defense of a manufacturer against numerous claims for breach of warranty and redhibition

Personal Injury

• Obtaining dismissal of benzene exposure claims brought by a truck driver against a client who operated production facilities
• Obtaining summary judgment dismissal of personal injury claims against an operator based on the independent contractor defense and a lack of evidence supporting negligence
• Assisting in the successful trial and appellate defense against claims by an injured worker under the Jones Act and for Maintenance and Cure

Brian’s clients also seek his advice when they are attempting to avoid litigation. Recent matters where Brian has assisted his clients in avoiding litigation include:

• Representing operators in regulatory disputes with the Department of Natural Resources regarding compliance orders
• Guiding an operator through negotiations stemming from allegations of a failure to produce in paying quantities
• Representing a client in a Participation Agreement dispute regarding the timely spudding of a well and claims for repayment of advanced costs
• Assisting an operator in responding to royalty demands and negotiating the claims
• Negotiating on behalf of a non-operating interest owner in a JOA dispute regarding well costs