Sandi Trahan

504.556.4060

Notable Experience

  • In federal court, defended major oil companies against claim by local governmental entity seeking billions of dollars for alleged marsh loss in southeast Louisiana. The case was dismissed by the Eastern District of Louisiana, the U.S. Fifth Circuit affirmed, and the United States Supreme Court denied cert.
  • Defends major oil companies from claims by the State and parish governments that seek damages and restoration for land loss allegedly caused by non-compliance with environmental permits
  • Filed suit in federal court on behalf of energy client to enforce contractual indemnity arising from State regulatory requirements, securing victory on summary judgment
  • In Louisiana state court and before State regulatory agency, defended large energy company from landowner who sought hundreds of millions of dollars in damages from alleged oilfield contamination resulting from decades of oil and gas production
  • Represented client for the appeal of an adverse trial court judgment involving property rights in a multi-million dollar residence; the appellate court reversed and rendered judgment in favor of the client
  • Represented client pro bono on behalf of the Orleans Public Defenders, handling all aspects of the trial and appeal

Involvement

Professional

  • During her legal career, Laura’s pro bono work has included handling paternity, interdiction, and TPR matters for The Pro Bono Project and the Orleans Public Defenders, service on the Pro Bono Project’s Justice for All Ball planning committee, and volunteerism 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’ homeless citizens.
  • Laura is the Regional Director for Region 2 of the Women's Energy Network Global (WEN) Board of Directors for 2025-2026. She is also the Past President of the Women’s Energy Network - South Louisiana Chapter, an organization promoting career development for women in the energy industry. She has previously served on the WEN-SLA Board as President (2022) President-Elect (2021), Public & Industry Relations Director (2020), and Community Initiatives Director (2018-2019).
  • Laura is a member of the Young Energy Professionals division of the Institute for Energy Law, where her involvement has included speaking at the First National Young Energy Professionals’ Law Conference, selection for the IEL Leadership Class, and serving as the editor of The Energy Dispatch, a publication of the IEL Young Energy Professionals' Committee. Laura is also a member of IEL's Communications Committee and Advisory Board (2024).
  • Served on the Louisiana State Law Institute committee that drafted legislation involving sales of mineral rights.

Community

  • Laura is a parishioner of Christ Church Cathedral and has served on its Vestry, including service for three years on the Executive Board as Vestry Secretary.
  • As a member of the New Orleans Film Society, Laura has volunteered as a screener for the New Orleans Film Festival in the Oscar-qualifying categories of animated shorts and narrative shorts.

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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