Holly Occhipinti Thompson is an attorney practicing in the Energy Regulatory group in various areas including oil and gas transactions, operations, litigation, regulations and compliance, acquisitions and divestitures, title, and corporate affairs.
Holly primarily advises energy companies in the acquisition, development and divestiture of assets. This includes the negotiation and drafting of various contracts including operating agreements, production handling agreements, farm-in/farm-out agreements, purchase and sale agreements, transition service agreements, and plugging and abandonment agreements. This also includes title review, assistance with financings, mortgages, drafting legal opinions, and advising on regulatory matters involving BOEM and BSEE.
In her litigation practice, Holly enjoys assisting clients with contractual disputes in the energy industry at both the trial and appellate levels, and has served as special counsel in oil and gas bankruptcies. She has represented clients in disputes regarding offshore operating agreements, production handling agreements, marketing agreements and master service agreements, and clients seeking coverage and reimbursement from insurance carriers. Her work has included acting as special counsel to oil and gas clients to advise such entities and their primary bankruptcy counsel on mineral law issues and how to successfully navigate through Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 proceedings.
Holly graduated from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law as a Professor William L. Crowe, Sr. Scholar, an honor bestowed on students graduating in the top ten percent of the class. Super Lawyers Louisiana recognized her as a Rising Star in energy and natural resources/corporate law, 2014-2017.
Representative Experience
- Represents clients in various acquisitions and divestitures of offshore properties.
- Represents energy clients in the drafting and negotiation of a variety of contracts.
- Represents clients in the filing and perfecting of security interests.
- Represents energy clients in various corporate matters.
- Supports oil and gas borrowers in various complex oil and gas financings.
- Represented MOGUS Oil & Gas USA, LLC in a lawsuit involving a dispute over an offshore operating agreement, predecessor liability, and COPAS accounting.
- Represented Taylor Energy Company, LLC in its lawsuit against its underwriters for coverage and reimbursement in relation to damages sustained on Mississippi Canyon Block 20.
- Represented Palm Energy Offshore, LLC in various matters including a contractual dispute in the USDC EDLA Case No. 10-4151 and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and a PHA contractual dispute in Louisiana state court.
- Representation of Saratoga Resources, Inc. in a contractual dispute arising out of an adversary proceeding in the USBC WDLA, withdrawn to the USDC WDLA.
- Frequent representative of companies in proceedings before the Louisiana State Mineral and Energy Board and the Louisiana Office of Conservation in a variety of matters.
- Represented Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, and the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeals to protect interests in oil and gas properties.
Education
Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. J.D., 2007
- Honors: Professor William L. Crowe, Sr. Scholar
- Loyola Law Review: Member
Louisiana State University. B.A., Political Science and Government, 2003