Paul B. Simon H handles disputes, corporate matters, acquisitions and appeals for the firm’s oil and gas clients. He regularly assists clients with issues arising under Louisiana’s Mineral Code and the industry’s primary agreements (JOA’s, mineral leases, participation agreements, etc.) and with regulatory issues before the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources’ Office of Conservation and the Louisiana State Mineral Board.

Prior to joining the Firm, Paul served as a law clerk to two judges on the federal bench, the Honorable W. Eugene Davis of the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Honorable D. “Dee” Drell, Chief United States District Judge for the Western District of Louisiana. Paul frequently uses this experience to assist in matters in federal court, including in bankruptcy and appellate matters.

In law school, Paul was a James Kent Scholar and a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, the two highest academic honors Columbia Law School awards. He also received the Parker School Recognition of Achievement in International and Comparative Law, was an editor of the American Review of International Arbitration and served as Co-President of the Columbia Society of International Law and Co-Founder and Co-President of the Columbia International Arbitration Association.

Prior to law school, Paul worked as a strategy and management consultant for the consulting firm McKinsey & Company, in its Amsterdam office. He learned Dutch for the posting, adding to the French and Spanish he previously spoke, and to this day Paul maintains a rich network of contacts and knowledge regarding European business. While an undergraduate, Paul was a junior-year selection and President of Phi Beta Kappa.

Paul is a native of Lafayette, Louisiana. For several years he lived out of state, and overseas in Europe and the Middle East. He returned to Lafayette to practice mineral law, raise his daughters and be with family. He is admitted to both the Louisiana and New York bars.

Practices:

  • Appellate
  • Arbitration and Mediation
  • Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Creditors’ Rights
  • Class Actions
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Corporate and Securities Litigation
  • Oil, Gas and Energy Regulatory
  • Oil, Gas and Energy Litigation and Arbitration
  • Oil, Gas and Energy Transactions
  • Products Liability
  • Oilfield Service Company Transactions and Litigation
  • International Law
  • Banking
  • Antitrust and Trade Regulation

Industries:

  • Banking
  • Energy and Natural Resources
  • Insurance

Admissions:

  • Louisiana
  • New York

Education:

  • Columbia Law School, J.D. James Kent Scholar 2010
  • Williams College, B.A. magna cum laude 2005
  • Oxford University, WEPO 2004
  • Catholic University of Louvain, Eerste Kandidatuur 2001

Clerkships:

  • Honorable W. Eugene Davis, U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit, 2010-2011
  • Honorable Dee D. Drell, Chief Judge, U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana, 2011- 2012

Affiliations:

  • Federal Bar Association
  • Louisiana State Bar Association
  • New York State Bar Association
  • Institute for Energy Law of the Center for American and International Law – Advisory Board and Young Energy Professionals Committee member
  • McKinsey & Company Alumni Association

Recognition:

  • Acadiana Profile Magazine’s “Top Lawyers” List 2014, 2015, 2019 – Commercial Litigation; Energy Law
  • Best Lawyers in America – Oil & Gas Law (2018)

Publications: