Sandi Trahan

504.556.4060

Notable Experience

  • In Louisiana state and federal courts, defends Major oil companies from claims by the State and local governments that seek damages and restoration for land loss allegedly caused by non-compliance with environmental permits.
  • Supported team in maritime casualty case on behalf of a U.S. state and its agencies as plaintiffs, resulting in largest single maritime property damage settlement in U.S. history.
  • In Texas and Louisiana federal courts, filed suits on behalf of energy clients to enforce contractual indemnities; securing victories on summary judgments.
  • In Louisiana state and federal courts, defends midstream companies from contractual and tort-based coastal erosion claims.
  • In Louisiana state and federal courts, defends upstream companies from landowner and citizen suits alleging damages from historic operations.
  • In Texas state court, defended Major energy company in landowner case alleging damage from historic operations.
  • Has provided pro bono representation to clients involving post-conviction relief, child custody, paternity, termination of parental rights, and tutorship.

Involvement

Professional

  • Laura serves on the Global Board of Directors for the Women’s Energy Network, an organization with more than 7,500 members that connects professional women across the energy value chain. She is also the Past President of the Women’s Energy Network - South Louisiana Chapter.
  • Laura is an Advisory Board member of the Institute for Energy Law. She has served IEL in various capacities over the years, including as Editor-in-Chief of the Energy Law Dispatch and Vice-Chair of IEL’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee.
  • During her legal career, Laura’s pro bono work has included handling matters for The Pro Bono Project and the Orleans Public Defenders, volunteering with the New Orleans Civil District Court’s Domestic Self-Help Desk and the H.E.L.P. program providing legal services to New Orleans’ unhoused population.

Recognition

  • Institute for Energy Law, Outstanding Young Energy Professional, 2024
  • Inside New Orleans "Elite Lawyers" Edition - Environmental Law, and Oil & Gas Law, 2023
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation - Environmental, Oil and Gas Law, 2022-2026
  • Louisiana Super Lawyers  "Rising Stars,” Energy & Natural Resources, 2018-2022, "Super Lawyers," 2024-2026
  • New Orleans CityBusiness' Women of the Year Class, 2021
  • Institute for Energy Law, 2nd Leadership Class, 2019
  • New Orleans Magazine "Top Lawyer," 2017
  • Junior Honorary Member of the Louisiana State Law Institute, 2013

Credentials

Education

  • Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert Law Center (J.D./D.C.L., summa cum laude, 2012)
    • Valedictorian
    • Order of the Coif
    • Louisiana Law Review, Junior Associate, 2010–2011, Senior Associate and Issue Editor, 2011–2012
    • Moot Court Board
  • Louisiana State University (B.A., summa cum laude, 2009)
    • University Medalist (Valedictorian)
    • College Honors

Bar Admissions

  • Louisiana, 2012

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District, Louisiana
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District, Louisiana
  • U.S. District Court, Western District, Louisiana
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit

Presentations

  • "Texas & Louisiana Case Law Update," Liskow Energy Law Seminar, 2025
  • Environmental Litigation Panel," New Orleans Bar Association, December 11, 2024
  • “ESG, Ethics, and Where You Fit in a World in Transition,” WEN National Conference, April 4, 2022
  • “Report From Kyiv,” Women’s Energy Network, March 11, 2022
  • "Coastal Zone Litigation and Pipeline Canal Widening," Liskow & Lewis Energy Law Seminar, October 28, 2021
  • “Revisiting Force Majeure After a Year of Extremes: Lessons for Louisiana and Texas,” Louisiana Mineral Law Institute, 2021
  • “Louisiana’s Coastal Zone Management Litigation,” Institute for Energy Law Podcast Series, 2020
  • “A Report From the Floodgates: Developments in Louisiana’s Land Loss Litigation Against the Oil & Gas Industry,” Liskow & Lewis Energy Law Seminar, 2019
  • “Tips for the Superstar Associate,” New Orleans Bar Association CLE, 2018
  • “Coastal Zone Management,” Liskow & Lewis Energy Law Seminar, 2018
  • “Coastal Erosion Litigation and the Impact on the Energy Industry,” Institute for Energy Law’s National Young Energy Professionals’ Law Conference, 2017
  • “A Perfect Storm: How Coastal Land Loss, Litigation, & Politics Affect the Energy Industry,” LABI Beyond the Bar Conference, 2017

Publications

After Hours

“I enjoy learning about the world by traveling. Nothing else has taught me resourcefulness and mental toughness quite like the experience of making it through eleven countries with just one backpack. (At my present stage of life, however, I use suitcases.) I still think my city is the most interesting place in the world, and I enjoy sharing New Orleans with visitors. At home, I’m an accomplished couch potato – an avid reader, a procrastinating writer, and I love discussing what’s new and good in streaming content.”

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