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About Katie

Katie represents major and independent energy companies in litigation, title examination, division order work, and she routinely advises clients in all aspects of oil and gas exploration and production operations, including matters related to lease disputes, mineral owner demands, operating agreement disputes, title issues, and Louisiana risk-fee issues. She also has extensive experience in handling complex commercial litigation matters. Katie has a strong federal court practice as well as experience at the appellate level in both state and federal courts. 

 

Katie has represented a working interest owner in complex, multi-jurisdictional litigation arising from the occurrence of the Bayou Corne Sinkhole in Assumption Parish, Louisiana. Prior to trial, Katie and the Bradley Murchison litigation team obtained favorable summary judgments resulting in the dismissal of all tort and breach of contract claims brought against the firm’s client by the nation’s largest independent brine producer. She also represented a large energy company in an extensive title examination project in an oil and gas play in Louisiana. 

 

Katie is very active in her community. Most recently, Katie served as the President of the Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier, which is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

Pontchartrain Natural Gas System v. Texas Brine Co., 2018-CA-0606 (La.App. 1 Cir. 12/21/18),—So. 3d–,2018 WL 6718522 – Representation of working interest owner in complex, multi-jurisdictional litigation arising from the occurrence of the Bayou Corne Sinkhole in Assumption Parish, Louisiana. The Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court’s dismissal of Texas Brine’s incidental demands for pre-96 and post-96 tort claims, including indemnity and contribution, against the non-operators of an oil and gas well.

Smith v. Andrews, 51,186 (La.App. 2 Cir. 2/15/17), 215 So. 3d 868, writ denied, 17-0468(La.5/19/17), 220 So. 3d 749 – Representation of owners of mineral servitude in lawsuit regarding “use” of servitude.

Regions Bank v. Questar Expl. & Prod. Corp., 50,211(La.App. 2 Cir. 1/13/16), 184 So. 3d 260, writ denied, 16-0498(La.5/2/16), 206 So. 3d 882 – Representation of large publicly traded company in lawsuit regarding judicial declaration of termination of leases by operation of statute prohibiting lease terms beyond 99 years and for company’s alleged failure to reasonably develop the leases.

Magnolia Point Minerals, LLC v. Chesapeake La., LP, Civil Action No. 11-00854, 2013 WL 3989579(W.D.La. Aug. 2, 2013) – Representation of independent oil and gas company in lawsuit regarding interpretation of “no cost” provision in mineral lease.

B.A. Kelly Land Co. v. Questar Expl. & Prod. Co., 47,509 (La.App. 2 Cir. 11/14/12), 106 So. 3d 181, writ denied, 13-0331(La.4/19/13), 112 So. 3d 223 – Representation of mineral lessees in lawsuit regarding interpretation of judicial ascertainment clause.

Alice Gaines Johnson Trust v. El Paso E&P, L.P – Representation of large energy company in suit for past due royalties and claim for damages of double the amount of royalties due and lease cancellation under the Louisiana Mineral Code. The case was tried in U. S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana, resulting in a jury verdict in favor of client, awarding no damages or lease cancellation.

Super Lawyers® Louisiana Rising Stars, 2013 – 2018

Presentation:

“Ethical Dilemmas and Blurred Lines: Legal Representation and Issues of Public Perception,” Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, Special Institute on THE LAW OF FRACKING: Federal, State, and Local Regulation of Modern Oil & Gas Development, January 2018

Practice Areas
Industries
Education
Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Juris Doctor, Bachelor of Civil Law, cum laude, 2008

 

Centenary College of Louisiana, Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, 2005
Bar Affiliations

Louisiana, 2008

Courts

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
 
United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
 
United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana
 
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit

Associations

Louisiana State Bar Association, Leadership Class, 2013 – 2014; House of Delegates, 2014 – 2015

 

Shreveport Bar Association

 

American Bar Association

 

Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit

 

Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier, Board of Directors, 2013 – 2018, President, 2017-2018

 

Institute for Energy Law, Member of Advisory Council