Best Lawyers Near You in New Orleans, Louisiana for Energy Law
Cynthia Nicholson’s practice is centered on oil and gas transactions with respect to lands located within the State of Louisiana as well as those located on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). She regularly documents and negotiates acquisitions and divestitures of both onshore and offshore properties, and has extensive experience with many types of transaction structures including mergers, asset and stock acquisitions and sales. She regularly counsels clients on a wide range of regulator...
Matthew J. Fantaci is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, Energy Law and Oil and Gas Law. Matthew J., who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Tony Marino’s practice focuses on energy transactions and regulatory matters. His work includes drafting and negotiating oil and gas agreements, acquisitions and divestures of mineral properties, and energy financings. Additionally, he advises clients on regulatory issues on mineral leases both onshore in Louisiana and offshore in state and federal waters on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Tony represents clients before regulatory agencies, including the Bureau of Ocean Energy Manage...
Mr. Alford represents public utilities and other clients in a variety of matters, including commercial and tort litigation, regulatory proceedings, and contract and property issues. Representative cases include construction disputes, securities actions, antitrust and unfair trade practice claims, medical licensing, and consumer litigation. Mr. Alford also counsels clients concerning regulatory compliance, employment, and general business issues. Mr. Alford graduated from Louisiana State Unive...
Marjorie A. McKeithen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law. Marjorie A., who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Marjorie A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Dana Shelton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law, Energy Law, Energy Regulatory Law and Utilities Law. Dana, who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Dana is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Marion Weinstock serves as Chair of the Commercial Transactions Section for the firm. Her practice covers a wide range of commercial transactions. She has handled and closed real estate purchases and sales of apartment complexes, warehouses, shopping centers and other commercial properties and has negotiated and prepared commercial leases (for both landlords and tenants), purchase agreements, condominium documents, servitude agreements and many other types of contracts and agreements. Marion ...
Tim Eagan enjoys a diverse legal practice concentrating on complex commercial litigation in the trial and appellate courts in both the state and federal court systems. He has represented business clients in a range of industries including energy, securities, exploration, health care, banking and construction. Tim has served as lead counsel in national and state class actions, multidistrict litigation, regulatory actions, antitrust, RICO, securities fraud, shareholder disputes, corporate dispu...
Rachel M. Scarafia is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law and Oil and Gas Law. Rachel M., who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Rachel M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Demarcus Gordon is a partner in the Oil and Gas/Energy and Environmental Litigation sections and specializes in litigation involving the oil and gas industry. He has experience representing clients in cases involving premises liability and personal injury, particularly in cases involving chemical exposures such as asbestos, benzene, or naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM). Mr. Gordon also defends oil and gas exploration and production companies in legacy litigation by landowners a...
Marianna Knister Downer is a civil litigator and trial attorney representing clients in a wide range of industries including energy & environmental, construction, and administrative law. Her practice at Gordon Arata extends to complex litigation, appeals, civil procedure, commercial litigation, and risk management. Marianna obtained both her Juris Doctor and Graduate Diploma in Comparative Law from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University. While at the Law Center, Maria...
Justin A. Swaim is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law and Energy Law. Justin A., who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Justin A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Ben Parks is an associate whose practice focuses on commercial transactions in a multitude of industries. His transactional experience includes real estate and energy transactions, mergers and acquisitions and general corporate law. Ben has also assisted contractors in navigating the Louisiana Public and Private Works Acts. Enrolled in Louisiana State University’s 3+3 Pre-Law Program, Ben earned his B.S. in Political Science and entered LSU’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center on an accele...
Wayne G. Zeringue III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Energy Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Wayne G., who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Wayne G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.