Ryan McAlister
Mr. Ryan P. McAlister
Ottinger Hebert, LLC
https://www.ottingerhebert.com/
Ryan focuses his practice on oil and gas matters and complex litigation.

After graduating from Lafayette High School, Ryan attended the United States Military Academy at West Point where he earned his Bachelor of Science. He then served as an Infantry Officer in the United States Army for over six years, including a year deployment to Iraq.

During law school, Ryan interned with the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources. He graduated Cum Laude from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University in 2017, receiving his Juris Doctor, Graduate Diploma in Comparative Law, and the Energy Law and Policy Certificate.

He is admitted to practice law in Louisiana and is also an active member of the Lafayette Association of Professional Landmen.
Kelly Perrier
Ms. Kelly D. Perrier
Gordon Arata
https://www.gamb.com/
Kelly Perrier is a member of Gordon Arata’s New Orleans office. She practices in the areas of oil, gas and energy litigation and commercial litigation, particularly focusing on claims of historical and ongoing environmental damage allegedly caused by oil and gas exploration and production activities, commonly referred to as "legacy litigation." Ms. Perrier has represented many independent oil and gas companies in disputes regarding public use of private waterways, compliance notices issued by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, insurance disputes following blow-outs and concursus proceedings against the State of Louisiana, among others. Ms. Perrier has served as president of the South Louisiana Chapter of Women’s Energy Network and is currently vice president of the Professional Landman’s Association of New Orleans.
Michael Platner
Mr. Michael L. Platner
Senior Tax Counsel
The Law Offices of Van Ness Feldman, LLP
https://www.vnf.com/
Michael provides strategic counsel on legal, legislative and regulatory issues, including tax, energy, and international trade. Michael has extensive experience developing and implementing successful government relations programs. He has a refined understanding of the political landscape, supported by technical knowledge and a wealth of experience drafting issue papers, advising on legislative and regulatory matters, and building and advocating winning legislative strategies for participants in energy and related markets.

Prior to joining the firm, Michael was a lobbyist and the Tax Director for the American Petroleum Institute from 1992-2009 and the Tax and International Trade Counsel for U.S. Senator John H. Chafee from 1988 to 1992.
Christina Sautter
Professor Christina M. Sautter
LSU Law Center
Christina M. Sautter is the Cynthia Felder Fayard Professor of Law, the Byron R. Kantrow Professor of Law, and the Vinson & Elkins Professor of Law at Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center. She teaches Securities Regulation, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Business Associations I & II. Professor Sautter’s research interests lie in mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance. She is the co-author, along with Franklin A. Gevurtz, of MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS LAW, which is part of West Academic Publishing’s legal hornbook series. Her research has appeared in the RESEARCH HANDBOOK ON MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS, Brooklyn Law Review, Case Western Reserve Law Review, Florida State University Law Review, Journal of Corporation Law, and Delaware Journal of Corporate Law. Prior to joining the LSU Faculty, Professor Sautter served as a Westerfield Fellow at Loyola New Orleans College of Law. She also worked in the Mergers & Acquisitions Group of Shearman & Sterling LLP in New York City and clerked for the late Honorable H. Emory Widener, Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. She received her J.D., summa cum laude, from Villanova University School of Law and her B.S., summa cum laude, from Florida State University.
Patrick "Rick" Shelby
Mr. Patrick "Rick" M. Shelby
Phelps Dunbar, LLP
Rick has over 20 years of professional experience. He practices at Phelps Dunbar LLP in New Orleans, primarily in the areas of bankruptcy law, commercial litigation and corporate governance . During that time he has acted as counsel in various capacities on several Chapter 11 proceedings including Castex Energy Partners, LP; Falcon V, LLC; Whistler Energy II, LLC; ATP Oil & Gas; Shoreline Energy; Energy XXI; Harvest Oil & Gas; Port Aggregates, Inc.; A&B Valve and Piping Systems; Pel-Tex Oil Company, LLC; FEC Lafayette, LLC; Advocate Financial, LLC; Bourbon Saloon, Inc.; New Orleans Paddlewheels; Legends Gaming of Louisiana; Mirant and Virgin Offshore USA, Inc. Rick is also an experienced litigator with an emphasis on contractual disputes and oil, gas and energy litigation. Rick is licensed to practice law in Louisiana and Florida. Prior to practicing law, Rick worked as a transportation engineer and technical sales representative for the largest producer of crushed aggregates in the United States, Vulcan Materials Company. Rick also has a bachelor and masters degree in engineering. Rick is a lawyer who knows the ins and outs of business and for over 10 years, he has used this knowledge to counsel corporate clients in all aspects of restructuring and bankruptcy.

Rick was named as the 2013 and 2019 "New Orleans Magazine" Top Lawyer, Louisiana Super Lawyer for 2014-2020, and Best Lawyers (2018-2020). Rick also supports the New Orleans Pro Bono Project and received the 2014 Honor Roll and 2011 Century Award for donating over 100 hours of pro bono service. Rick has been asked to speak at several seminars including seminars for the New Orleans Bar Association, Mineral Law Institute and Professional Landman Association of New Orleans.
Thomas Smart
Mr. Thomas G Smart
Onebane Law Firm
Tommy Smart is a shareholder with the Onebane Law Firm in Lafayette, Louisiana, where he has practiced for over 40 years, and heads up its Energy Law Section. He received his Bachelor of Science degree and Juris Doctorate degree from Louisiana State University. His practice focuses on a broad range of energy related transactional, title and regulatory matters, including a number of carbon sequestration (CCUS) projects and the representation of producers engaged in onshore and offshore oil and gas operations in Louisiana and Texas. He is licensed to practice law in Louisiana and Texas. He is a member of various bar associations, including the Louisiana State Bar Association and the State Bar of Texas. He is also a member of LOGA, AAPL, LAPL, PLANO and various other industry and land associations. He is on the Executive Committee of LOGA, where he is its General Counsel. He is on LOGA’s recently created CCUS Committee and its CCUS Executive Committee. He is a frequent speaker at various legal, industry and land seminars, including the Louisiana Mineral Law Institute, and has been a guest lecturer for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette PLRM Program. He was involved in giving industry input on the revision of the Louisiana State Mineral Lease Form, which was completed in 2019. He served on the 2022 Risk Charge Commission, which resulted in the recommendation of what was passed as Act 5 of 2022 of the Louisiana Legislature, revising the Risk Charge Statute.