Michael Brassett currently serves as a managing member of the firm. Michael has a transactional oil and gas practice serving producers and others engaged in onshore and offshore operations throughout the state. In his practice, he represents multiple E&P companies in their acquisition, development, and divestment of assets. This includes title review including the drafting of drill site and division order title opinions, operating agreements, lease negotiations, and surface use and ROW Agreements, in addition to representation in regulatory proceedings with the Louisiana Office of Conservation. Michael represents service providers in the energy industry, assisting them in the drafting of various commercial agreements, and the drafting and negotiation of master service agreements. His understanding of the legal issues surrounding the energy industry allows for a nuanced, practical, and pragmatic approach to clients’ projects throughout all phases of the asset development. He also has extensive experience in the negotiating and drafting of commercial transactions, corporate formation, litigation, and environmental regulation and compliance.
Serves as local counsel for multiple exploration and production companies in their development of the Haynesville Shale, Cotton Valley, and Terryville formations. In this role he advises the companies on land and mineral owner issues, state lease issues, as well as representation with the Louisiana Office of Conservation on various regulatory matters and negotiations. He serves as lead local counsel for a national land use development company that focuses on the acquisition and redevelopment of coal fired power plants and facilities to accommodate the fast-tracked development of utility scale renewable projects.
Represented a major west coast university system in contract and ROW negotiations as well as with various state and local regulatory bodies to install, construct, and operate biomethane landfill gas collection system. Represented major petrochemical company in site acquisition and title review, permitting, local and state regulatory matters and contract negotiations for a world-class facility in St. James Parish, Louisiana.
Super Lawyers – 2023 Louisiana Rising Stars List ®, Baton Rouge, LA – Energy & Natural Resources
Recipient, Faculty Merit Scholarship – Paul M. Hebert Law Center
Recipient, Erick Vincent Anderson Memorial Scholarship – Paul M. Hebert Law Center
Recipient, TOPS Scholarship – Louisiana State University
Presentations:
Guest Speaker, “Three’s Company: Surface Owner, Servitude Owner, and the CCUS Project,” Louisiana Landowners Association Annual Meeting, March 2023
Guest Speaker, “Solar Development and the OGML, a Look at Correlative Rights” LSU JELR Symposium – Energy Transitions, February 2022
Guest Speaker, “General Overview of Regulatory Scheme for Class VI Wells,” LSU JELR Symposium – Pollution Solutions, February 2021
“Louisiana Legal Update,” AAPL Gulf Coast Land Institute, 2018
“Louisiana Legal Update and Mineral Ownership Under Roads and ROW’s,” ATAPL Educational Seminar, 2015
“Mineral Ownership Under Roads and ROW’s,” LAPL Spring Educational Seminar, 2012
“Mineral Ownership Under Roads and ROW’s,” AAPL Gulf Coast Land Institute, 2012
Oil and Gas Law Update – Louisiana and The East, 69 Nat. Resources & Energy L. Inst. (2023) 14-1 (co-authored with Brandon G. Pang)
