Loulan J. Pitre Jr.
Loulan Pitre's practice focuses on environmental, energy and resources law. He is ranked by Chambers USA as a leader in the field of environmental litigation and is listed in Best Lawyers - The World's Premiere Guide under the categories "Litigation - Environmental" and "Oil & Gas Law." A native of Cut Off, Louisiana, Loulan is a graduate of Harvard Law School and a former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives. He teaches Advanced Oil and Gas Law as a member of the part-time faculty of Tulane Law School.
Loulan has defended several dozen “legacy” lawsuits asserting environmental damage, often involving 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.
Loulan frequently writes and speaks on environmental issues. He has spoken at the Louisiana Mineral Law Institute, the Tulane Environmental Law Summit and to various industry groups. Loulan’s Tulane Environmental Law Journal article was treated as an authority by the Louisiana Supreme Court. He recently published a major update on that article in the first issue of the new Louisiana State University Journal of Energy Law and Resources. Loulan has represented and advised the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association (LOGA) on environmental legislation.
As a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, Loulan focused on environmental policy and developed a deep understanding of the structure and operations of critical environmental agencies. He authored and passed several pieces of important environmental legislation, including constitutional amendments approved by the voters in 2003. As Loulan completed eight years in the legislature in 2007, Governor-Elect Jindal appointed Loulan as Chair of the Transition Advisory Group on Coastal Restoration and Flood Control.
At Harvard College, Loulan graduated magna cum laude. At Harvard Law School, he served on the Harvard Journal on Legislation and as a Vice President of the Harvard Law School Forum. Loulan was elected Class Secretary by his Harvard Law School Class of 1986, and had the honor of giving the Class Address at Harvard University’s 350th Commencement exercises. Loulan is a member of the Board of Directors of the Harvard Alumni Association.
Representative Matters:
- Defended several dozen lawsuits by landowners alleging environmental damage arising from oil and gas exploration and production operations
- In one of those cases, was lead counsel in a three-week jury trial that resulted in no liability or remediation obligation for defendants
- In another of those cases, advises a client with respect to a remediation program required as a condition of settlement
- Retained by a prominent law firm as an expert witness on the litigation and resolution of claims for environmental damage
- Retained by the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association to provide testimony in legislative committees and advice regarding proposed legislation relating to environmental damage litigation
- Defended Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality enforcement actions directed at alleged air and water violations
- Represented the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association with respect to environmental issues pending before the Louisiana Supreme Court
- Advises a major international investment bank regarding the energy industry and the Louisiana coastal protection and restoration program
- Advised a biodiesel manufacturer on Louisiana issues
- Advises a hydroelectric power company on Louisiana issues
- Advised the Greater Lafourche Port Commission with respect to a citizen suit challenging NEPA compliance with respect to a federal action critical to port expansion
- Advised the Greater Lafourche Port Commission with respect to development of a wetlands mitigation program in connection with obtaining permits for port expansion
- Advised the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources with respect to plans for major increase of freshwater flow into Bayou Lafourche
- Advised the South Lafourche Beachfront Development District regarding opposition to a coastal use permit application that interfered with recreational use
- Advised the South Lafourche Beachfront Development District regarding the compatibility of recreational use with planned federal and state ecosystem restoration projects, including preparation of a NEPA comment letter
Honors:
- Listed in Chambers USA 2012
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130