Louisiana’s Senate Bill 1, introduced during the recent 2024 Third Extraordinary Legislative Session, aims to establish specialized business courts in Louisiana through a state constitutional amendment. The bill seeks to amend the constitution and give the legislature the authority to create “specialized” courts. This proposed amendment must first receive two-thirds approval in both the Louisiana
Louisiana In General
When Defending Against an Adversary Proceeding in Bankruptcy Court, the Absence of Minimum Contacts with the Forum State Does Not Matter
Out-of-state defendants are sometimes surprised to learn that their lack of minimum contacts with the forum state is irrelevant if the lawsuit against them is filed as an adversary proceeding in a federal bankruptcy court. For example, a company or individual that has minimum contacts with the United States as a whole, but not with…
Common Issues with Maturing Mineral Leases
Mineral Leases in Louisiana are typically granted for a stipulated length of time, known as the primary term, and for so long thereafter as production in paying quantities continues. As production commences and a mineral lease is extended beyond its primary term, various common issues often arise, many of which are briefly discussed below:
Lease …
The U.S. 5th Circuit Broadens the Scope of the Louisiana Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act (LOAIA)
In a case of first impression, the U.S. 5th Circuit recently held that the Louisiana Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act (LOAIA) does not contain a universal well requirement.
Louisiana is only one of four states that has passed an oilfield anti-indemnity act. Enacted in 1981, the LOAIA renders “null, void and unenforceable” certain indemnification provisions in “agreement[s]…
Should I Stay Or Should I Geaux (By Dismissal)? The Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal’s Latest Application of Arbitration Clauses in Crosby
In Crosby, as the Trustee of Aaron Guidry Trust and Trustee of the Lauren Guidry Trust, Guidry and Guidry v. Crosby Enterprises, LLC, Crosby Dredging, LLC, Tala Air Logistics, LLC, Crosby Holding, LLC, Crosby, Trosclair, and Dufrene, 2023-1338 (La. App. 1 Cir. 8/9/24), 2024 WL 3733158, — So.3d —. a five judge panel of…
PERSONAL LIABILITY OF LOUISIANA BUSINESS OWNERS: Is Your Liability Really “Limited”?
Louisiana business owners often form corporations and LLCs in Louisiana with the assumption that they cannot, as owners of these companies, be held personally liable for any debts or liabilities related to these companies or their operations. Although Louisiana law provides a general rule of non-liability for these business owners, there is no absolute protection…
Energy & Environmental Highlights of the 2024 Louisiana Legislative Session
The 2024 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature ended on June 3, 2024. The first regular session of the new term saw legislation on several hot-button issues, including criminal justice reform, reorganization of state governmental entities, insurance reform, education, public access to government records, public libraries, protection of the Louisiana seafood industry, and improvements to…
Federal Court Foreclosure on Real Estate
In this final part of our discussion of the foreclosure process on commercial real estate in Louisiana, we are detailing the procedures involved in foreclosing on property in Louisiana utilizing federal court mechanisms. Similar to ordinary process foreclosures, foreclosure in federal court involves instituting a lawsuit against the mortgagor asking that the court recognize that…
Ordinary Process Foreclosure on Real Estate in Louisiana
In this part three of our discussion of the foreclosure process on commercial real estate in Louisiana, we are detailing the procedures involved in ordinary process foreclosures in Louisiana. Foreclosing on collateral by ordinary process in Louisiana involves filing a civil suit against the mortgagor asking the court to recognize that the indebtedness is due…
Louisiana Supreme Court Holds Claims for Indemnity Allowed Prior To Liability Adjudication
The Louisiana Supreme Court ruled today in Daniel Bennett v. Demco Energy Services, et al., 2023-CC-01358 (La. 5/10/24), 2024 WL ***, a claim for defense and indemnity under a Master Services Agreement filed before a judicial finding of liability or loss is not premature. The Court explained “[w]e hold that a claim for indemnity…