LSU receives $2 million for Energy Law Center

The LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center has received a $2 million gift from a former law school student to support its new energy law initiative.

Class of 1949 alumnus John P. Laborde recently pledged $2 million in endowments to support operations of the center.

A news release says the gift is the largest in the history of LSU’s law school.

In returning the favor, the law school has named the new initiative the LSU John P. Laborde Energy Law Center.

Law Center Chancellor Jack Weiss said in a statement he was proud to have Laborde’s name associated with the energy initiative.

“John Laborde’s landmark gift will benefit generations of LSU law students and the growth of our state’s economy. It is hard to think of another graduate whose leadership in the energy sector, in our state, and at LSU better exemplifies the ideals of LSU Law,” Weiss said.

Laborde, who spent 40 years working as the head of a company that provided offshore services to energy industry partners, said in a statement his gift is his way of giving back.

Laborde said he hopes his donation will “serve as the catalyst for future growth and perfection in the energy law field.”

The Energy Law Center was conceived as an initiative to train lawyers in all matters of energy law.

The International Energy Agency estimates that world energy demand will increase by one-third by 2035.

Weiss has said that by offering specialized courses in international energy law, alternative energy law, energy taxation, nuclear energy regulation and environmental law, especially with respect to air and water, LSU’s Law Center is positioning itself as a leader in training a new generation of attorneys.