Joseph L. “Larry” Shea, Jr.

Larry Shea works primarily in the energy industry representing oil and gas producers and pipeline companies. He has handled numerous matters involving legacy litigation, environmental issues, oil and gas leasing rights, and operations. He commonly represents defendants, including the defense of clients in class actions and mass joinder litigation.

Larry has played an integral role in landmark cases, such as AmCom v. Patterson, one of the first modern era decisions of the Louisiana Supreme Court upholding enforcement of an employee non-compete agreement, and Bondy v. Texas Eastern, a seminal case often cited for establishing the standard to be met in asserting a fear of cancer claim.

Larry has been actively involved in the betterment and advancement of the legal profession. He served as President of the Louisiana State Bar Association in 2014-2015. Before that Larry served as Chair of the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board and has spoken on ethics at hundreds of seminars during his career. In addition, Larry has been recognized as Chambers USA since 2013 as a Leader in the Field for Energy & Natural Resources: Oil & Gas. He was named Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers for Oil & Gas, Shreveport (2017), Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, Shreveport (2014,2016), and Litigation-Environmental, Shreveport (2013,2015, 2019). He has also been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America since 2009 for work in Commercial Litigation, Energy Law, Litigation-Environmental, Litigation-Labor and Employment, Litigation-Real Estate, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions-Defendants, Oil and Gas Law, Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants, and Real Estate Law.

Bondy v. Texas Eastern, a seminal case often cited for establishing the standard to be met in asserting a fear of cancer claim.

Lieber v. Rust, relating to the establishment of predial servitudes.

AmCom v. Patterson, one of the first modern era decisions of the Louisiana Supreme Court upholding enforcement of an employee non-compete agreement.

Winterrowd v. Travelers, the leading case at the time establishing the manufacturer’s duty to warn in products liability matters.

Successfully obtained a complete estate tax refund of all deductions claimed in Anderson v. IRS involving oil and gas property valuation.

Secured reversal by the Louisiana Supreme Court of the Court of Appeals in Hudson v. City of Bossier relating to the proper distribution of gaming revenues.

Obtained a reversal of the lower court by the Arkansas Supreme Court in Blanchard v. Sonat establishing industry favorable law in Arkansas relating to seismic exploration and trespass.

Motion for Reconsideration granted by district court and upheld by United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Alyce Gaines Johnson v. El Paso, confirming granting clause in standard Bath Form as broad and unambiguous. 

Presentations:

Larry has been a frequent speaker at seminars on a variety of topics including Professionalism, Ethics, Oil & Gas Law, Evidence, Expert Testimony, Insurance Law, Trial Techniques, Business Litigation, and Troubled Financial Institutions.