Cynthia Nicholson’s practice is centered on oil and gas transactions with respect to lands located within the State of Louisiana as well as those located on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). She regularly documents and negotiates acquisitions and divestitures of both onshore and offshore properties, and has extensive experience with many types of transaction structures including mergers, asset and stock acquisitions and sales. She regularly counsels clients on a wide range of regulatory issues and has extensive experience counseling clients on issues arising under OCS regulations. Throughout her career, Cynthia has also advised clients on the drafting and interpretation of mineral leases, operating agreements, participation agreements, unitization agreements, servitude agreements and other agreements used in the oil and gas industry.

A significant portion of Cynthia's practice is also dedicated to the analysis and review of complex land and leasehold titles. She has rendered hundreds of title opinions based on her examination of complex petroleum titles, and she regularly assists clients in the financing of such onshore and offshore properties. Cynthia represents clients before the U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). She has assisted clients in obtaining mineral leases and rights-of-way on the OCS and in the creation of units approved by the BSEE.

Published Works & Presentations:

• "Future of the OCS Under the New Administration," Gordon Arata Montgomery Barnett Annual Duck Lunch & Seminar, October 2017
• "BSEE Finally Allows Pipeline ROWs To Be Co-Owned" Gordon Arata Montgomery Barnett "Drill Deeper" Blog, August 2017
• "BSEE Extends Time OCS Lease Remains in Effect after Cessation of Operations or Production" Gordon Arata Montgomery Barnett "Drill Deeper" Blog, June 2017
• "Update: BOEM Withdraws Sole Liability Orders Issued Under NTL-2016-01" Gordon Arata "Drill Deeper" Blog, February 2017
• "BOEM Delays NTL 2016-01 for Non-Sole Liability Properties" Gordon Arata "Drill Deeper" Blog, January 2017
• "Proposed Changes to Louisiana State Lease Form," Gordon Arata Annual Duck Lunch & Seminar, October 2016
• "BOEM Issues NTL Implementing Major Changes to Its Financial Security Requirements for the OCS," Gordon Arata "Drill Deeper" Blog, July 2016
• "Louisiana Revised State Lease Form Update; Critical Meeting in Baton Rouge on May 11," Gordon Arata "Drill Deeper" Blog, April 2016
• "Approval of New State Lease Form Delayed," Gordon Arata "Drill Deeper" Blog, December 2015
• "BOEM Proposes Major Changes to its Financial Security Requirements for the OCS," Gordon Arata "Drill Deeper" Blog, September 2015

Professional Affiliations:

• American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL)
• Houston Association of Professional Landmen (HAPL)
• Professional Landmen's Association of New Orleans (PLANO)
• Women's Energy Network

• Best Lawyers in America, Energy Law and Oil and Gas Law (Since 2013)
• Louisiana Super Lawyers, Energy & Natural Resources (Since 2013)
• New Orleans Magazine "Top Lawyers" - Energy Law (2015)
• AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
• Special Award by Petroleum Landmen's Association of New Orleans (2016)