Energy Executive and Attorney Joins Phelps Dunbar

Phelps Dunbar is pleased to announce that Jeffrey M. Baudier has joined the firm’s Baton Rouge office as a partner, where his practice will focus on serving clients in the oil, gas, and energy industries. Most recently, Mr. Baudier was President and CEO of Petra Nova LLC, an NRG company, where he led the creation of an industry-leading joint venture that uses carbon dioxide captured from existing coal plants to revitalize production at mature oil fields in Texas and Louisiana through proven Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) processes.

“Welcoming Jeff into partnership at Phelps Dunbar represents excellent opportunities for our firm to expand the services we provide clients in the energy sector,” said Michael D. Hunt, Managing Partner of the firm. “His vast knowledge as well as his experience as both an oil and gas lawyer and an industry executive with responsibilities across multiple facets should provide a valuable perspective to current and future clients.”

Mr. Baudier’s legal practice will concentrate primarily on transactions for oil and gas exploration and production companies, pipeline and gas processors, as well as power generating and clean energy companies. He has also represented clients in environmental litigation, state and federal regulatory issues, property rights, bankruptcy and class action defense.

Prior to heading Petra Nova, Mr. Baudier served in several leadership capacities with NRG Energy, Inc., including Regional President and General Counsel of the South Central Region. He also worked in-house at Texaco where he handled a broad range of domestic and international oil and gas matters. Mr. Baudier also practiced for several years as a partner in a large, regional law firm.

“My background working in-house as both a lawyer and executive for businesses in the energy industry has given me a complex understanding of issues these companies face,” Mr. Baudier said. “This experience will help me to craft the best legal and business solutions for clients at Phelps Dunbar.”

Mr. Baudier received his J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, where he was a member of the Loyola Law Review and the Moot Court National Team. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of New Orleans.

With offices positioned along the Gulf Coast from Houston to Tampa, Phelps Dunbar is a regional law firm of more than 270 attorneys uniquely equipped to serve clients in the major commercial centers of the burgeoning “Third Coast” of the United States. Locations in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Jackson, Tupelo and Gulfport, Mississippi; Houston, Texas; Tampa, Florida; Mobile, Alabama as well as Raleigh, North Carolina; and London, England enable Phelps Dunbar to serve clients not only along the Third Coast, but also the South, nationwide and abroad.