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 regulatory issues and has extensive experience counseling clients on issues arising under OCS regulations. Throughout her career, Cynthia has also advised clients on the drafting and interpretation of mineral leases, operating agreements, participation agreements, unitization agreements, servitude agreements and other agreements used in the oil and gas industry.

A significant portion of Cynthia’s practice is also dedicated to the analysis and review of complex land and leasehold titles. She has rendered hundreds of title opinions based on her examination of complex petroleum titles, and she regularly assists clients in the financing of such onshore and offshore properties. Cynthia represents clients before the U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). She has assisted clients in obtaining mineral leases and rights-of-way on the OCS and in the creation of units approved by the BSEE.

Practices:

  • Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Creditors’ Rights
  • Oil, Gas and Energy Regulatory
  • Oil, Gas and Energy Litigation and Arbitration
  • Oil, Gas and Energy Transactions
  • Real Estate and Commercial Leasing
  • Pipeline, Storage and Transmission
  • Oilfield Service Company Transactions and Litigation
  • Title Services
  • Commercial Financing and Secured Transactions
  • Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestitures

Industries:

  • Energy and Natural Resources
  • Real Estate

Admissions:

  • Louisiana

Education:

  • Tulane University, J.D. 1980
  • H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial College, B.S. 1977

Affiliations:

  • Louisiana State Bar Association
  • Louisiana State Bar Foundation – Fellow
  • American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL)
  • Houston Association of Professional Landmen (HAPL)
  • Professional Landmen’s Association of New Orleans (PLANO): President (2017 -2018), Vice President (2016-2017), Board Member (2016-2019)
  • Women’s Energy Network

Recognition:

  • Chambers Partners, USA-Energy
  • Best Lawyers in America, Energy Law and Oil and Gas Law
  • Louisiana Super Lawyers, Energy & Natural Resources
  • New Orleans Magazine “Top Lawyers” – Energy Law
  • AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Special Award by Petroleum Landmen’s Association of New Orleans (2016)

Publications: