Robert “Bob” Nolan joined Adams and Reese in 1971 and has more than 30 years of experience in the maritime and energy industries. He has negotiated numerous agreements involving constructing and/or operating vessels and platforms. His litigation experience includes incidents arising from exploration, production and/or transportation of oil and gas, surface and subsurface blowouts, contractual disputes, personal injury and property damage —both on land and over water.
Bob’s practice has evolved from litigation arising from unwanted personal injury and property damage to disputes regarding contractual and insurance coverage. He frequently represents clients who seek to mitigate or transfer their risks arising from unwanted events. He is a co-author of “Oilfield Risks in American Maritime Law,” an internal publication distributed to clients and friends of the firm.
His other significant contributions include:
- Drafting statutory language adopted by LABI that changed Louisiana law from “joint and solidary” liability to its current statutory language which limits a person’s responsibility, in most instances, to that portion of fault or negligence attributable to the individual party.
- Addressing the Energy Resources Industry Section, Oil & Gas Operations of Risk Insurance Managers Seminars (RIMS) and presenting CLE (continuing legal education) programs conducted in Louisiana and Texas.
- Arguing as lead counsel in courts in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, and Florida.
- Admission to practice in the United States Supreme Court, the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, all federal courts in Louisiana, the U.S. Southern District of Texas, and all state courts in Texas and Louisiana.
- Extensive experience representing clients in hearings before the Mineral Management Services (MMS) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG).
In his spare time, Bob enjoys golf, fishing and wetland restoration projects.
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