Picture of Claire Elizabeth Juneau

Claire Elizabeth Juneau

Partner

"I believe in streamlining complicated case law, facts, and appellate argument into an overarching advocacy strategy that is clear, easily understood, and persuasive with opposing counsel and state and federal courts across the country."

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.

Representative Experience
  • Defended a major oil and gas company against soil and groundwater contamination claims in a two week-jury trial resulting in a no liability verdict.
  • Defended a major pipeline company against land loss claims in a one-week bench trial resulting in defense verdict.
  • Defended a major oil and gas company against soil and groundwater contamination claims in a two-week jury trial resulting in a defense verdict.
  • Obtained the successful reversal of a trial court’s ruling on the scope of statutorily recoverable attorney fees and costs on appeal.
  • Obtained the successful reversal of an appellate court decision reversing a jury verdict at the Louisiana Supreme Court.
  • Obtained numerous successful reversals of pre-trial evidentiary rulings at both the courts of appeal and Louisiana Supreme Court using supervisory writ practice.
  • Obtained 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.
Education
  • LSU Law Center, J.D., magna cum laude, 2010
    • Member, Order of the Coif
    • Member, Louisiana Law Review
    • Member, Chancellor's List
    • Recipient, CALI Award (Civil Law Property, Employment Law, Comparative Labor Law, and Employment Discrimination)
  • LSU, B.A., summa cum laude, 2007
Admitted
  • Louisiana
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
Memberships
  • Member, Baton Rouge Bar Association
  • Member, Louisiana State Bar Association
  • Member, Women's Energy Network (Southeast Louisiana Chapter)
Recognition
  • "Super Lawyers," Louisiana Super Lawyers, 2022-2023
  • "Rising Star," Louisiana Super Lawyers, 2020
Articles, Publications and Presentations
Published Decisions
  • Hero Lands Co., L.L.C. v. Chevron U.S.A. Inc., 2022-0224 (La. App. 4 Cir. 3/7/23), 359 So. 3d 130
  • State v. Louisiana Land & Expl. Co., 2020-00685 (La. 6/1/22), 339 So. 3d 1163
  • State v. Louisiana Land & Expl. Co., 2017-830 (La. App. 3 Cir. 3/14/18), 241 So. 3d 1258, writ denied, 2018-0476 (La. 9/28/18), 252 So. 3d 924
  • State v. Louisiana Land & Expl. Co., 2015-0438 (La. 3/27/15), 161 So. 3d 648
  • Bundrick v. Anadarko Petroleum Corp., 2014-993 (La. App. 3 Cir. 3/4/15), 159 So. 3d 1137, 1140, writ denied, 2015-0557 (La. 11/16/15), 184 So. 3d 24
  • Glob. Mktg. Sols., LLC v. Blue Mill Farms, Inc., 2013-2132 (La. App. 1 Cir. 9/19/14), 153 So. 3d 1209, 1211, writ denied sub nom. Glob. Mktg. Sols., L.L.C. v. Blue Mill Farms, Inc., 2014-2572 (La. 4/23/15), 173 So. 3d 1164 - 184 So. 3d 24
  • Lexington Land Dev., L.L.C. v. Chevron Pipeline Co., 2020-0622 (La. App. 1 Cir. 5/25/21), 327 So. 3d 8, 13, reh'g denied (July 13, 2021), writ denied, 2021-01194 (La. 11/17/21), 327 So. 3d 996
  • Bd. of Commissioners of Se. Louisiana Flood Prot. Auth.-E. v. Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co., L.L.C., 850 F.3d 714 (5th Cir. 2017)
Community Service
  • Treasurer, Women’s Energy Network (Southeast Louisiana Chapter)
  • Committee Member, New Orleans’ March of Dimes Signature Chefs’ Showcase
  • Judge, Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Flory Trials
  • Committee Member, Junior League of Baton Rouge's Fest for All Committee
  • Former Program Director, Women’s Energy Network (Southeast Louisiana Chapter)
  • Board Member, Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre
Super Lawyers
Claire E. Juneau
Rated by Super Lawyers


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