Loulan J. Pitre, Jr.

Loulan J. Pitre, Jr.


Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP

Recognized since 2013

New Orleans, Louisiana

Practice Areas

Energy Regulatory Law

Environmental Law

Litigation - Environmental

Natural Resources Law

Oil and Gas Law

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Energy Regulatory Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2023 - Natural Resources Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2023 - Oil and Gas Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2015 - Litigation - Environmental
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    Loulan Pitre has extensive experience with the development, construction, operation, and decommissioning of energy, environmental, and infrastructure projects. He has represented energy and other industrial companies, real estate developers, financial institutions, ports, levee districts and other public entities, and participants in the construction and service industries such as contractors, engineers, and material suppliers. His work has included entity formation and governance, traditional and innovative financing methods, complex land rights issues, construction procurement and management, environmental and coastal permitting issues, and complex disputes. In addition to his traditional scope of complex work, in recent years he has developed deep industry knowledge in the business and legal aspects of the growing U.S. offshore wind energy industry.

    While serving as an elected member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 2000 to 2008, Mr. Pitre was intimately involved in the development of the state’s coastal restoration and protection program and large transportation infrastructure projects such as the elevated highway to Port Fourchon. He is highly ranked in Chambers, BestLawyers, and SuperLawyers and is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Law at Tulane Law School. He is an experienced negotiator trained in both arbitration and mediation and a frequent speaker and writer.

    Mr. Pitre is also extremely well known for his practice in legacy litigation in which landowners and public entities sue oil and gas companies alleging environmental damage from oil and gas exploration and production operations. These cases often involve claims in the hundreds of millions of dollars. As lead trial counsel in Meaux et al. v. Hilcorp et al., he defended two oil and gas exploration and production companies from claims of environmental damage. After a three-week trial, plaintiffs asked the jury for over $60 million dollars. Instead, the jury’s verdict resulted in no liability for defendants, a result that withstood appeal.

Contact & Links
Location
  • 400 Poydras Street, Suite 1812
    New Orleans, LA 70130
Languages
  • English
Education
  • Harvard University, J.D., graduated 1986
  • Harvard University, A.B., graduated 1983
Bar Admissions
  • District of Columbia, The District of Columbia Bar, 2022
  • Louisiana, 1986
  • Oregon, 1990
Affiliations
  • National Association of Bond Lawyers - Member
  • American Bar Association, Section of Environment, Energy and Resources - Member
  • American Bar Association, Section of Litigation - Member
  • Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Board of Directors, Energy Council - Board
  • GNO, Inc., Public Policy Committee - Member
  • Institute for Energy Law - Advisory Board Member
  • Institute for Energy Law, Renewables Practice Committee - Officer
  • Harvard Alumni Association Board of Directors - Officer
  • Harvard Law School Class of 1986 - Permanent Class Secretary
  • Louisiana State Bar Association, Environmental Law Section - Member
  • La. 1 Coalition, Corporate Secretary, Executive Committee - Board of Directors
  • Louisiana House of Representatives - Member, 2000-2008
  • Water Code Committee of the Louisiana State Law Institute, 2016 - Member
  • Petroleum Landman's Association of New Orleans, - Member
Court Admissions
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas

Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP
Headquarters: Fort Worth, Texas

53 The Best Lawyers in America® awards

28 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards

Best Law Firms Badge Visit Website View Firm Profile

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Energy Regulatory Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2023 - Natural Resources Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2023 - Oil and Gas Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2015 - Litigation - Environmental
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Energy Regulatory Law, New Orleans (2024)
  • Natural Resources Law, New Orleans (2023)
  • Oil and Gas Law, New Orleans (2023)
  • Litigation - Environmental, New Orleans (2015)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Energy Regulatory Law
  • Environmental Law
  • Litigation - Environmental
  • Natural Resources Law
  • Oil and Gas Law
Awards:
  • Best Lawyers® Energy Regulatory Law Lawyer of the Year, New Orleans, 2024

  • Best Lawyers® Natural Resources Law Lawyer of the Year, New Orleans, 2023
  • Best Lawyers® Oil and Gas Law Lawyer of the Year, New Orleans, 2023
  • Best Lawyers in America®, U.S. News & World Report, 2013-2025

    • Energy Regulatory Law
    • Environmental Law
    • Litigation - Environmental
    • Natural Resources Law
    • Oil and Gas Law
  • Chambers USA, Louisiana, 2011-2024

    • Environmental Litigation, Band 1
  • Louisiana Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2014-2024

    • Environmental Litigation
  • Leadership in Law Hall of Fame, New Orleans CityBusiness, 2019-2023
  • Top Lawyers, New Orleans Magazine

    • Oil & Gas Law, 2021
    • Environmental Law, 2017
  • Driving Forces Recipient, New Orleans CityBusiness, 2020
  • Louisiana Super Lawyer Top 50, 2017

    Environmental Litigation

  • Best Lawyers® in Environmental Litigation Lawyer of the Year, New Orleans, 2015
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Energy Law

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Publications

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