F. Neelis Roberts
OF COUNSEL
Practice Areas
Oil & Gas Title Opinions
Oil & Gas Litigation
Oil & Gas Transactions
Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights
Commercial Business Litigation
Education
J.D., Tulane School of Law, 1980
Professional Experience
Prior to becoming of counsel to the firm, Mr. Roberts was a shareholder and practiced primarily in mineral title examination and title curative matters, oil and gas-related litigation and bankruptcy, the acquisition and disposition of mineral-producing properties, Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act matters, exploration, development, operating and joint venture agreement negotiations, energy-related financing transactions, unitization and conservation-related state regulatory work, and other energy related matters.
Representative Matters
- Representation of clients as lead trial counsel in litigation, primarily related to oil and gas matters, in federal and state courts and in matters referred to alternative dispute resolution. Mr. Roberts also has extensive experience appearing before federal and state boards and agencies, including the Louisiana State Mineral Board, the Louisiana Office of Conservation, and the Minerals Management Service. His litigation experience includes practice before federal and state appellate courts and administrative appeals. He has represented major oil companies, independent oil companies, individual investors, financial institutions, and trade associations.
- Rendered numerous title opinions on oil and gas properties and other interests. These opinions include drill site, preliminary, limited, division order, and supplemental title opinions, and cover private, state, and federal lands.
- Represented sellers, buyers, investors, lenders, and interested third parties in various types of oil and gas related transactions, including acquisitions, mergers, dissolutions, initial offerings, commercial loans, private loans, and equity placements. He has also represented operators, working interest owners, and landowners in the negotiation and preparation of all types of oil and gas contracts, including leases, seismic options and permits, agreements related to financings, operating agreements, joint exploration and development agreements, unit agreements, production and facilities agreements, and joint venture agreements.
- Represented both debtors and creditors in oil and gas related bankruptcy cases, including reorganizations and liquidations. Representation of debtors has included acting as special counsel in Louisiana litigation, financings, and administrative matters. Representation of creditors has included debt collection and securitization, prosecution of adversary proceedings, post-petition financing, and plan negotiation and preparation.
Selected Publications and Speeches
- Ethical Considerations in the Preparation of Title Opinions, 1990.
- Residual Liability for the OCS Lessee, 1992.
- Certificates of Financial Responsibility under OPA 90 and MMS Bonding Regulations, 1994.
- Residual Liability in the Disposition of Producing Properties, 1994.
- Mineral Title Examination and Title Curative: an Overview, 1996.
- Louisiana’s Law of Registry, 1997.
- Survey of Current OCS Related Topics, 1998.
Member Organizations
Louisiana State Bar Association
Professional Landmen’s Association of New Orleans
American Association of Professional Landmen