Claire Juneau

• Appellate

• Commercial Litigation

• Energy & Environmental Litigation

• Environmental Contamination Claims Related to Oil & Gas and Petrochemical Operations

• Wetlands, Land Loss & Erosion Claims

Claire Juneau resolves complex, state, and federal court multi-plaintiff litigation involving commercial, environmental, energy, and oil and gas disputes. Among her clients are Fortune 5 companies and oil and gas businesses faced with high-stakes claims valued into the hundreds of millions to billions of dollars at stake. A shrewd and tactical litigator and effective trial advocate, Claire is also a smart appellate counselor known for strategic defenses that preserve arguments on appeal.

On attack or defense, Claire frequently serves as lead strategist for commercial litigation involving many moving parts and often complicated facts. She regularly teams with other national firms to ensure the highest quality claim management, the proper submission of evidence, and the preservation of critical issues on appeal. In addition, Claire advises on all the associated litigation-related media and government relations issues that permeate large-scale litigation.

Claire brings proven skill to defending oil and gas companies in claims alleging soil, sediment, groundwater, drinking water, and other types of environmental contamination allegedly resulting from oil and gas exploration and production activities, gas processing/midstream operations, and refining operations throughout Louisiana. She litigates oil field legacy cases involving Louisiana Act 312 and claims, alleged breaches of mineral and surface leases, and any other matters involving the Louisiana Mineral Code.

Moreover, Claire resolves royalty, lease litigation, and land loss lawsuits asserted under the Louisiana Coastal Zone Management Act. She also advises on and represents the interests of pipeline companies before the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources.

As appellate counsel for major oil and gas and other businesses, Claire works diligently with trial counsel to address complex issues and frame arguments in a way that influence appellate judges and justices. She works with trial teams before and during trial to write compelling briefs and preserve and position arguments for appeal. Once judgment is entered, she assists with post-trial motions and handles the appeal in collaboration with the trial team. Claire also advises on the impact of recent appellate decisions and drafts amicus curiae briefs in state and federal courts.

As the former coordinator of the firm’s Recruiting Committee and a current member of the firm’s Associate Evaluation Committee, Claire believes in mentorship and training and provides internal educational programs focused on effective legal writing.

Prior to joining Kean Miller, Claire served as a Law Clerk to Supreme Court Associate Justice Jeffery Victory – hands-on training that gave her in-depth insight into how the justice system works at the highest levels and which arguments offer the greatest potential to end in the right result for those she represents today. She also served as a Judicial Intern to First Circuit Court of Appeal Judge Randolph Parro, honing her skills in brief review and writing.

• Member, Baton Rouge Bar Association

• Member, Louisiana State Bar Association

• Member, Women’s Energy Network (Southeast Louisiana Chapter)

• Representation of Fortune 500 companies in suits filed under the Securities and Exchange Act.

• Representation of Fortune 500 companies and trade groups in suits challenging constitutionality of legislation, agency rules, and regulations.

• Representation of major oil and gas company against soil and groundwater contamination claims in a two week-jury trial resulting in a no liability verdict.

• Representation of major pipeline company against land loss claims in a one-week bench trial resulting in defense verdict.

• Representation of major oil and gas company against soil and groundwater contamination claims in a two-week jury trial resulting in a defense verdict.

• Representation of major oil and gas company in obtaining the successful reversal of a trial court’s ruling on the scope of statutorily recoverable attorney fees and costs on appeal.

• Representation of major oil and gas company in obtaining the successful reversal of an appellate court decision reversing a jury verdict at the Louisiana Supreme Court.

• Representation of major oil and gas company in obtaining numerous successful reversals of pre-trial evidentiary rulings at both the courts of appeal and Louisiana Supreme Court using supervisory writ practice.

• Representation of major oil and gas company in obtaining numerous successful summary dismissals of claims pre-trial.

• Representation of a major oil and gas company in the successful pursuit of a claim for indemnity under a terms of sale agreement.

• Representation of a major oil and gas company in connection with claims for the underpayment of royalties and lease cancellation resulting in a complete dismissal of claims at the summary judgment stage.

• Representation of major industry trade groups as amici at all levels of state and federal appellate courts.