John Philip (“J.P.”) Graf represents clients in commercial disputes and litigation, including energy, natural resources, oil and gas, and general commercial litigation. He is also experienced in product liability, premises liability, industrial accidents, and maritime and offshore matters. He has served as lead trial counsel and co-counsel, managing litigation matters from intake through bench and jury trials and appeals, in state and federal courts throughout Louisiana. Additionally, J.P. represents and assists clients in the start-up, acquisition and divestiture of their businesses.

Before graduating from law school, J.P. clerked for the Honorable Patrick J. Hanna, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Western District of Louisiana. During law school, he interned at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Moreover, while in law school, J.P. was published in the Journal of Energy Law and Resources.

Apart from work, J.P. enjoys hunting, watching ULL and LSU sporting events, and attending local festivals. He and his wife Carli reside in Lafayette with their daughter Annie.

Admissions:

  • Louisiana

Education:

  • Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert Law Center, J.D./D.C.L., Member, Journal of Energy Law and Resources
  • University of Louisiana at Lafayette, B.A., cum laude
  • Notre Dame Catholic High School of Acadia Parish, Honors

Judicial Clerkships:

  • Honorable Patrick J. Hanna, U.S. Magistrate
  • Judge for the Western District of Louisiana

Practices:

  • Arbitration and Mediation
  • Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Creditors' Rights
  • Business Transactions and Entity Formation and Governance
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Insurance
  • Oil, Gas and Energy Litigation and Arbitration
  • Oil, Gas and Energy Transactions
  • Oilfield Service Company Transactions and Litigation
  • Real Estate and Commercial Leasing

Industries:

  • Banking
  • Energy and Natural Resources

Experience:

  • Counsel for plaintiff in insurance coverage dispute which was appealed to the Louisiana Supreme Court
  • Counsel for national commercial restoration company in connection with commercial litigation matters
  • Counsel for Louisiana agriculture, real estate, and trucking companies in connection with formation and development
  • Counsel for numerous oil and gas companies in commercial and business disputes

Affiliations:

  • Member, Louisiana State Bar Association
  • Member, Lafayette Parish Bar Association
  • Committee Chair, Lafayette Parish Young Lawyers Association

Recognition:

  • Selected for inclusion as a Louisiana Super Lawyers – Rising Star, 2020 - 2022
  • Listed in The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40, 2020 – 2022
  • Recognized in Top Lawyers in Acadiana – 2021 - 2022
  • Paul M. Hebert Scholar
  • Dean Scholar
  • CALI Award for Excellence
    • Legal Research and Writing
    • Estate Planning

Publications:

  • Take 2: The Fifth Circuit’s Interpretation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in United States v. CITGO, LSU J. OF ENERGY L. & RESOURCES (November 2017)