Tell a Friend

Commercial Litigation

Bradley Murchison attorneys represent public and private companies, governmental entities, and individuals before state and federal courts and arbitration panels throughout Louisiana and the region.  We have a broad litigation practice that touches on virtually every area of the law.  In addition to specialized areas of litigation, the firm regularly performs litigation services in appellate practice, class action, complex litigation, environmental litigation and regulatory compliance, labor and employment, and product liability.

Several of our litigators are members of the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates and others are recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® and Super Lawyers of Louisiana® in commercial litigation.  All have a proven track record of success in the courtroom.  The goal of our litigators is to win, whether through trial, arbitration or an alternative method of dispute resolution.  We provide cost-efficient service by staffing cases appropriately, utilizing innovative litigation support technology, communicating with our clients, and always evaluating the risks of litigation and employing alternative means of dispute resolution when needed.

With the prevention of disputes always the preferred course, we also take great care to advise and counsel clients regarding risk management, pre-litigation dispute resolution, and litigation avoidance.

Representative Matters

  • Representation of a large integrated energy company in connection with its demand upon a multi-national natural gas pipeline manufacturer for breach of contract related to the manufacture and sale of defective 42 inch pipe, which was discovered by the energy company after installation of the pipeline that traversed North Louisiana.  Work included advising the energy company throughout the demand process, the filing of litigation, and the successful mediation in favor of the energy company.
    For more information, please contact:  David R. Taggart, Kay C. Medlin, or Brad E. Wilkerson
  • Representation of a publicly traded integrated energy company in the demands and ultimate lawsuit filed by mineral owners in the “Haynesville Shale” resource play in Northwest Louisiana for unpaid royalties and production proceeds from many wells, some which have been producing since 1977.  Through the successful assertion of various technical defenses, our firm has assisted the energy company and reducing the value of plaintiffs’ claims to the point plaintiffs’ requested settlement negotiations at a fraction of the original claim, which negotiations are ongoing.
    For more information, please contact:  F. John Reeks, Jr. or Brad E. Wilkerson
  • Representation of a publicly traded integrated energy company in the demands and lawsuit filed by energy company in the “Haynesville Shale” resource play in Northwest Louisiana for recognition of title to mineral ownership in oil and gas leases covering an effecting three sections consisting of approximately 640 each.  Although this matter is ongoing, the client has requested that we represent its interest based our combined experience in title and litigation work, and because of the potential ramifications an adverse judgment could have on many various other oil and gas leases belonging to our client.
    For more information, please contact:  F. John Reeks, Jr., Brad E. Wilkerson, or Stephen C. Fortson
  • Representation of an independent oil and gas exploration company in its daily operations including the drafting joint operation and participation agreements, and representation in concursus and other litigation related proceedings.
    For more information, please contact:  Malcolm S. Murchison, or Brad E. Wilkerson
  • Representation of an independent oil and gas mineral leasing company in its daily operations related to the analysis of mineral ownership in light of the many various legal complexities of Louisiana property and mineral law.  Representation of same company in several lawsuits including class actions, breach of contract, and mineral title.
    For more information, please contact:  Malcolm S. Murchison, Brad E. Wilkerson, or David R. Taggart
  • Represented client to response to several lawsuits to defend permits granted under the Clean Air Act to construct a steel plant in south Louisiana, to represent the client before the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality in reference to administrative actions involving various environmental permits, and to represent the client in citizens' suits against other entities alleging environmental regulatory violations.
    For more information, please contact:  Jerald N. Jones, David R. Taggart
  • Representation of an independent oil and gas company and certain related individuals to defend property ownership and mineral rights against contrary claims of ownership pursued in United States District Court by the United States of America and mineral lessees thereof.  The dispute involved conflicting interpretations as to the factual and legal status of certain lands currently covered by a freshwater lake.  The property placed at issue included more than 3000 acres having millions of dollars in value.  The lawsuit involved numerous factual issues as well as a determination as to whether State or Federal law applied, and how such law affected ownership.  The Firm obtained several favorable rulings and entered into a stipulated judgment in favor if its client as to all but a few acres of the property originally placed at issue.  A separate settlement is being negotiated with respect to the remaining acreage at issue.
    For more information, please contact:  Joseph L. Shea, Jr., Leland G. Horton
  • Representation of The St. Joseph Society of the Sacred Heart, Inc. (the “Josephites”) in litigation with the local members of the Board of Directors for St. Augustine High School over control of the high school and whether amended corporate by-laws enacted by the local members of the high school’s Board of Directors were valid.  We filed a Petition for Declaratory Judgment and Injunctive Relief in Federal Court, obtained a temporary restraining order returning control of the high school to the Josephites and then assisted the Josephites in working out a compromise with local members of the high school’s Board of Directors and drafting new by-laws.
    For more information, please contact:  Dwight C. Paulsen, III, Richard S. Crisler, Darryl J. Foster
  • Represented an agricultural corporation with respect to the attempted expropriation of a power line right of way through its farming property.  The Firm obtained a favorable determination at trial regarding value for the property taken and certain other property affected.  The matter was settled prior to appeal.
    For more information, please contact:  Leland G. Horton
  • Represented the operator and owner of video poker locations in litigation regarding the distribution of proceeds and interpretation of the underlying contract regarding same.  Successfully argued various issues regarding contract interpretation and viability of the contract under prevailing laws, including issues specifically regarding the amount of any alleged damages. The lawsuit remains on appeal at this time.
    For more information, please contact:  Dwight C. Paulsen, III, Richard S. Crisler, Darryl J. Foster


View Practicing Attorneys

Practicing Attorneys

Terms Agreement

For more information about our firm or to speak to one of our attorneys, you may call one of our offices or email us. However, we cannot represent you until we are certain it will not create a conflict-of-interest. For that reason, please do not send or speak of any information that is confidential until you receive and sign a written statement (an "Engagement Letter"). Once we receive the signed engagement letter, we can then represent you and discuss information freely.



To send an email, please click the "I AGREE" button to show that you understand and agree to this statement.