
Nick S. Wise
Senior Counsel"I approach the practice of law with a commitment to clear, prompt communication, ensuring clients are informed at every stage of litigation. I prioritize cost-effective strategies and actively pursue opportunities for early resolutions, always focusing on efficiently achieving my clients’ best interests."
Nick Wise focuses his practice on defending energy companies in high-profile oilfield legacy and Coastal Zone Management litigation, involving claims of environmental contamination and wetland loss related to historical oil and gas operations. His work representing energy companies extends to a wide range of energy-related matters, including mineral lease and servitude disputes, as well as contractual issues under joint operating agreements and other commercial arrangements.
Nick also has extensive involvement in mass tort and toxic tort litigation, representing chemical companies in cases involving alleged exposure to toxic or hazardous substances. His toxic tort work ranges from individual claims to complex, multi-party litigation involving thousands of plaintiffs.
Nick frequently handles expert-intensive cases, developing sophisticated expert testimony and scientific evidence to support his clients' defenses.
Nick worked as a systems analyst for the Louisiana Division of Administration for two years prior to attending law school. During law school, he served as a judicial extern to the Honorable John L. Weimer, Associate Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court. Following law school, Nick served as a law clerk to the Honorable Tom E. Stagg of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.
- Extensive experience defending large independent energy companies in high-profile coastal land loss litigation.
- Representation of major energy companies and small oil and gas operators in oilfield legacy lawsuits, achieving early dismissals through aggressive motion practice and strategic early settlement negotiations.
- Secured early dismissals for clients in toxic tort litigation, successfully challenging personal jurisdiction in multiple cases.
- LSU Law Center, J.D. cum laude, 2011
- LSU, B.S., Information Systems and Decisions Sciences, 2006
- 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
- U.S. Supreme Court
- Member, Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel (Environmental and Energy Law Practice Group Chairman, 2019-2021; Young Lawyer's Committee, 2016-2019)
- "Production in Paying Quantities: Maintaining Mineral Leases Beyond Their Primary Terms with Production of Oil or Gas," Louisiana Association of Professional Landmen and the American Association of Professional Landmen, Fall 2016