James "Doug" D. Rhorer

Doug Rhorer practices in the areas of oil and gas law, construction law, and general commercial litigation. In his energy practice, Doug represents exploration and production companies and natural gas pipelines in legacy litigation and other environmental matters. In his construction practice, Doug advises owners, contractors, architects and project managers on a range of legal issues, including lien laws, change order disputes, bid protests, acceleration claims, and delay claims. He regularly drafts and reviews construction contracts and solicitation documents for private and public works projects.

Doug has received numerous awards for his pro bono service including the Pro Bono Century Award by the Louisiana State Bar Association. He has been named a Rising Star by Louisiana Super Lawyers and received the New Orleans CityBusiness Leadership in Law Award. Doug joined the firm in 2011 after earning his J.D. from Loyola University College of Law, where he was a member of the Loyola Maritime Law Journal and the St. Thomas More Inn of Court. Prior to law school, Doug earned his B.A. in History from Louisiana State University. He is admitted to practice law in the state of Louisiana and works in the firm’s New Orleans office.   

Admissions:

• Louisiana
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of LA
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of LA
• U.S. District Court, Western District of LA
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of TX

Education:

• Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, J.D., 2011
• Louisiana State University, B.A., 2008

Practices:

• Appellate
• Arbitration and Mediation
• Commercial Litigation
• Environmental and Toxic Torts
• Oil, Gas and Energy Litigation and Arbitration
• Oil, Gas and Energy Regulatory
• Oil, Gas and Energy Transactions

Industries:

• Construction
• Energy and Natural Resources

 Affiliations:

• American Bar Association
• Federal Bar Association - Board of Directors for Young Lawyers Division (2016-2017)
• Louisiana State Bar Association
• New Orleans Bar Association
• Construction Financial Management Association
• PLANO

Recognition:

• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America - Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Litigation - Construction, Oil and Gas Law, since 2021
• New Orleans CityBusiness Leadership in Law award, 2017
• Pro Bono Century Award, Louisiana State Bar Association, 2016
• Pro Bono Project's Century Award, Recipient, 2016
• Pro Bono Project's 100+ Hour Award, Recipient, 2015
• Named to Louisiana Super Lawyers - Rising Star List, Energy & Natural Resources, 2017 to Present

Publications:

• Is Your Construction Project "Essential"? April 2020
• BLM Moves to Rescind Federal Fracking Regulations, Drill Deeper Blog, July 2017
• Boustany Introduces 'Ending Legacy Lawsuit Abuse Act,' Drill Deeper Blog, October 2016
• Governor Edwards and Attorney General Landry Still at Loggerheads Over Potential Oil and Gas Lawsuits, coauthor, Drill Deeper Blog, September 2016
• Legislative Update: How Boudin is Made in Baton Rouge, copresenter, Gordon Arata Duck Lunch and Seminar, October 2015
• Legal Battle Over New Federal Fracking Regulations, Drill Deeper Blog, April 2015
• Louisiana at the Forefront of LNG Exportation, Drill Deeper Blog, June 2014
• Oil Field Confidential: Protecting Seismic Data and Other Trade Secrets, Drill Deeper Blog, February 2014

Presentations:

• Update on Levee Board, CZM and Wetlands Land Loss Cases...What Would Ryan Lochte Do? Presenter, Gordon Arata Lunch n' Learn, December 2016
• Update on Levee Board, CZM and Wetlands Land Loss Cases...What Would Ryan Lochte Do? Presenter, Gordon Arata Lunch n' Learn, October 2016
• Legacy, Levee Board and Coastal Zone Management or Why You Should Never Enter a Ground War in Asia, Gordon Arata Annual Duck Lunch and Seminar, October 2014
• Groundbreaking Legislation, presenter, Gordon Arata's Construction Law Presentation Luncheon: Building a Solid Foundation, August 2014